Carotid sinus hypersensitivity

Question 1

What is carotid sinus hypersensitivity?

Answer 1

A condition where pressure on the carotid sinus leads to lightheadedness or fainting. (dude was shaving then got lightheadedness or fainted.)

Question 2

What triggers carotid sinus hypersensitivity?

Answer 2

Stretch of carotid sinus baroreceptors.

Question 3

Which cranial nerve is involved in the afferent pathway of carotid sinus hypersensitivity?

Answer 3

CN IX (Glossopharyngeal nerve).

Question 4

What is the role of the solitary nucleus (medulla) in carotid sinus hypersensitivity?

Answer 4

It processes increased afferent firing from CN IX.

Question 5

What cranial nerve provides the efferent pathway in carotid sinus hypersensitivity?

Answer 5

CN X (Vagus nerve).

Question 6

What effect does increased efferent firing of CN X have on heart rate?

Answer 6

Decreases heart rate.

Question 7

What is the result of decreased heart rate due to carotid sinus hypersensitivity?

Answer 7

Decreased cardiac output.

Question 8

How does carotid sinus hypersensitivity affect cerebral perfusion?

Answer 8

It decreases cerebral perfusion.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The mechanism of carotid sinus hypersensitivity involves increased _______ firing to the solitary nucleus.

Answer 9

afferent CN IX