RESPIRATORY REFLEXES
- Respiratory rhythm is altered reflexly.
- Occurs in response to metabolic signals & other stimuli.
MAJOR RESPIRATORY REFLEXES:
- Hering-Breuer inflation reflex.
- Hering-Breuer deflation reflex.
- Irritant receptors.
- J-reflex/J-receptors.
- Head’s paradoxical reflex.
- Afferent from proprioceptors.
1. HERING-BREUER INFLATION REFLEX:
- Mediated by pulmonary stretch receptor.
Mechanism:
- Lung inflation above particular volume results in,
- Reflex inhibition of inspiration.
- Initiation of expiration.
Major actions:
- Limits tidal volume.
- Increases respiratory frequency.
- Prevents lung hyperinflation.
- Rapid lung deflation initiates prolonged inspiration (reflex hyperpnea).
- Respiratory tract mucosa contains rapidly adapting “Irritant receptors”.
– Responds to noxious gases, cigarette smoke, inhaled dust, cold air, etc.
- Information from irritant receptors conveyed to CNS by vagal afferent fibers.
– Nerve stimulation causes reflex bronchoconstriction, cough & increased mucus secretion.
- J- receptors –
– Sensory nerve endings of non-myelinated (type – C) afferent fibers in vagus nerve.
- “J” refers to “Juxtacapillary”.
– Juxta-position to pulmonary capillaries,
– In alveolar interstitium.
- Increased in alveolar interstitial fluid → Interstitial edema.
- Alveolar capillaries engorged
– As in CHF/pulmonary microemboli.
- Stimulation reflexly causes,
– Severe tachypnea
– Bronchoconstriction
– Hypotension.
– Bradycardia.
- Increased pulmonary capillary pressure.
– Eg: Especially during exercise at high altitude.
- Produces tachypnea → Leading to dyspnea.
Inhibits stretch reflex in skeletal muscles → Inhibits exercise.
- Protecting from pulmonary edema precipitation.
- Lung inflation further induces inflation.
Functions:
- Physiological role of Head’s reflex is uncertain.
- Play a role in initiating respiration at birth.
– Fetus is delivered with empty lungs.
– First breath doesn’t fill lungs completely.
– Each inflation promotes further inflation, facilitating lung filling.
6. AFFERENT FROM PROPRIOCEPTORS:
- Proprioceptive afferent impulses from muscles & joints → Stimulate inspiratory neurons,
– Hence, increase pulmonary ventilation during exercise.
Exam Important
- Limits tidal volume.
- Prevents lung hyperinflation.
- “J” refers to “Juxtacapillary”
– Juxtaposition to pulmonary capillaries in alveolar interstitium.
- Increased pulmonary capillary pressure.
– During exercise, especially at high altitude.
- Lung inflation further induces inflation.
- Impulses from muscles & joints → Stimulate inspiratory neurons,
– Hence, increased pulmonary ventilation during exercise.
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