The CTZ is highly sensitive to chemical changes in the bloodstream. It contains a variety of receptors that can detect a wide range of emetic agents, including chemotherapeutic agents, opioids, and metabolic byproducts like urea. When these substances bind to receptors in the CTZ, they trigger a cascade of neural signals that lead to the activation of the vomiting center in the medulla. This response is an evolutionary mechanism to rid the body of potentially harmful substances. The CTZ's ability to detect toxins without a direct blood-brain barrier interference is critical for its role in emesis.
