Abstract
The effects of oesophageal distension on respiratory patterns and the moving average electromyogram (e.m.g.) activity of three upper airway muscles--the alae nasi, the genioglossus, and the posterior cricoarytenoid--and four chest wall muscles--the costal and crural diaphragm and the inspiratory and expiratory intercostals--were examined in ten anaesthetized, tracheostomized, spontaneously breathing dogs. Distension was produced by inflations of a balloon placed in the middle part of the thoracic oesophagus with volumes of air ranging from 50 to 200 ml. Oesophageal distension increased respiratory frequency, mainly due to a significant shortening of the expiratory time. Activity of both the costal and crural parts of the diaphragm was inhibited with oesophageal distension, whereas that of the inspiratory intercostal muscles increased, tending to maintain a near-normal tidal volume and end-tidal CO2. Phasic inspiratory activity of all three upper airway muscles increased in response to oesophageal distension, as did the activity of the expiratory intercostal muscles. The changes in the breathing pattern and the electrical activity of all muscles in response to oesophageal distension were immediate, occurring during the first breath after the balloon was inflated. The responses were graded, so that increases in the volume of the oesophageal balloon progressively increased the activity of the upper airway and intercostal muscles, and decreased diaphragm activity. Bilateral vagotomy abolished the effects of oesophageal distension on upper airway and chest wall muscle activity, suggesting that vagal afferents constitute the major pathway for the reflex.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Chernigovsky V. N. Tissue receptors. Historical scope. Modern view. Perspectives. Prog Brain Res. 1976;43:3–14. doi: 10.1016/S0079-6123(08)64333-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Clerc N., Mei N. Thoracic esophageal mechanoreceptors connected with fibers following sympathetic pathways. Brain Res Bull. 1983 Jan;10(1):1–7. doi: 10.1016/0361-9230(83)90065-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Frank M. H. Cardiovascular chemoreflexes from the perfused innervated ileum of the cat. Am J Physiol. 1975 Mar;228(3):944–953. doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1975.228.3.944. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kostreva D. R., Hopp F. A., Zuperku E. J., Igler F. O., Coon R. L., Kampine J. P. Respiratory inhibition with sympathetic afferent stimulation in the canine and primate. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol. 1978 May;44(5):718–724. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1978.44.5.718. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Richardson C. A., Mitchell R. A. Power spectral analysis of inspiratory nerve activity in the decerebrate cat. Brain Res. 1982 Feb 11;233(2):317–336. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(82)91205-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Salamone J. A., Strohl K. P., Weiner D. M., Mitra J., Cherniack N. S. Cranial and phrenic nerve responses to changes in systemic blood pressure. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol. 1983 Jul;55(1 Pt 1):61–68. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1983.55.1.61. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Titchen D. A. Diaphragmatic and oesophageal activity in regurgitation in sheep: an electromyographic study. J Physiol. 1979 Jul;292:381–390. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1979.sp012858. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Weiner D., Mitra J., Salamone J., Cherniack N. S. Effect of chemical stimuli on nerves supplying upper airway muscles. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol. 1982 Mar;52(3):530–536. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1982.52.3.530. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]