Tracheal slowly adapting stretch receptors: Theoretical models

Abstract

Experimental findings indicate that the response of pulmonary stretch receptors (PSR) is better related to the circumferential tension developed in the airways than to transpulmonary pressure or lung volume. Whether the absolute value in tension and its rate of change ( T + dT dt ) or only the variation in tension ( dT dt ) should be considered the most appropriate stimulus for PSR is here discussed. Some experimental findings seem to imply that the former is more appropriate, since the receptor seems to have a “static” response. However, if the PSR's response were alinearly related to the stimulus, as some experimental results indicate, it is possible to conceive a model where the PSR's activity is only determined by dT dt . This would also imply that the so called “static” response is actually a dynamic one since dT dt is greater than zero.