glomus
Last reviewed 01/2018
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.