Acta physiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Physiol. Scand. · Jul 2002
Comparative StudyMechanisms of genioglossus responses to inspiratory resistive load in rabbits.
The purpose of the present study has been to determine whether pharyngeal dilator muscles participate in inspiratory load compensatory responses and if so, to elucidate role of upper airway mechanoreceptors in these responses. The experiments were performed on anaesthetized rabbits. Each animal was tested in three ways by the imposition of inspiratory resistive load: (1) at upper airways via face mask, (2) at the tracheostomic cannula placed below larynx (all upper airway receptors were 'bypassed') and (3) at the mouth after the section of the hypoglossus nerves (motor denervation of genioglossus muscle). ⋯ The results indicate that the pharyngeal dilator muscles have a role in compensation of added inspiratory load. Activation of these muscles facilitate the load compensating function of 'pump' muscles by decreasing airway resistance. Tracheostomy did not reduce the genioglossus response to inspiratory loading, ruling out any role for upper airways receptors in the genioglossus response to inspiratory load compensations.