Video - Chemoreceptors

Chemoreceptors are special nerve cells that detect changes in the chemical composition of the blood and send information to the brain to regulate cardiovascular and respiratory functions. There are two major types, which are peripheral and central chemoreceptors. The main peripheral chemoreceptors are the aortic and carotid bodies. They monitor and send impulses to the cardiac centers in the brainstem when they sense low oxygen partial pressure of oxygen, elevated carbon dioxide partial pressure, or decreases in blood pH.

The result is that the blood pressure is raised through sympathetic stimulation, total peripheral resistance, and cardiac output. Central chemoreceptors are found in the brainstem medulla and monitor increases in carbon dioxide partial pressure and decreases in the pH. This stimulates sympathetic vasoconstriction, which in turn raises blood pressure.