Respiration physiology
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Respiration physiology · Dec 1983
Laryngeal receptors responding to transmural pressure, airflow and local muscle activity.
The larynx has a rich sensory supply which is the main source of several respiratory reflexes. These reflexes, that influence both the patency of the upper airway and the pattern of breathing, are related to transmural pressure and/or airflow in the upper airway. Yet hardly any information is available on the response of laryngeal mechanoreceptors to transmural pressure and airflow. ⋯ Our findings indicate that, even though the three types of receptors differ in sensory modality, they concur in exhibiting a predominant activity during inspiration. In fact, 65% of all receptors are active during eupneic inspiration. Moreover, their activity increases markedly during upper airway obstruction.