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Glomus

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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A glomus, plural glomera, is an specialized adaptation of the microcirculation to monitor blood pressure, temperature or chemical composition. Usually:

  • it is an arteriovenous anastomosis, but it may be formed by the passage of an arteriole directly into capillaries
  • characteristically shows:
    • tortuous course
    • epitheloid adaptation of luminal cells
    • smooth muscle spiralling around wall
    • fine nerve fibres associated with outer wall

Glomera are present in the:

  • carotid bodies
  • aortic bodies
  • finger tips
  • glans penis
  • course of the middle sacral artery

Glomus tumours are pathological overgrowths of elements of the glomus.

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