Receptors in the Canine Lung Which Respond to Vascular Pressure Changes

Abstract

SummaryIntrapulmonary neural receptors responding to pulmonary vascular pressure changes were studied. Intrapulmonary receptors which could not be classified asirritant, Hering-Breuer, or Type J were identified electrophysiologically. These receptors increased impulse frequency in a linear fashion with elevations of pulmonary vascular pressure. Receptors which responded to elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure and receptors responding to elevation of pulmonary venous pressure were identified. In addition, several Hering-Breuer stretch receptors which responded in a linear fashion to elevated pulmonary venous pressure were found. We conclude that elevation of pulmonary pressure can increase nerve impulse frequency from Hering-Breuer stretch receptors and from bar-oreceptors located in the intrapulmonary vasculature. Stimulation of these receptors may play a role in the reflex alterations of respiration during cardiac failure.