Biomaterial Database

Reflex effects of laryngeal irritation on the pattern of breathing and total lung resistance. 1972

H A Boushey, and P S Richardson, and J G Widdicombe

1. The reflex responses to chemical and mechanical irritation of the laryngeal mucosa have been studied by applying stimuli to the open larynx of tracheostomized cats while monitoring ventilatory and circulatory variables. The responses were studied before and after vagotomy and before and after denervation of the larynx by transection of the superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves.2. The immediate response to laryngeal irritation was not consistent. The most frequent responses were coughing, and slowing and deepening of breathing without coughing. Less common were expiratory apnoea and sustained, simultaneous inspiratory and expiratory activity.3. A consistent late change in the pattern of breathing occurred. Slower, deeper breathing with increased total lung resistance (bronchoconstriction) was seen after the immediate response abated.4. The slowing of breathing was due to prolongation of both the time for inspiration and the time for expiration. The rate of increase in phrenic nerve activity was also slowed.5. Vagotomy did not alter qualitatively the reflex changes in the pattern of breathing, although bronchoconstriction no longer occurred.6. The responses were abolished by denervation of the larynx.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007823	Laryngeal Nerves	Branches of the VAGUS NERVE. The superior laryngeal nerves originate near the nodose ganglion and separate into external branches, which supply motor fibers to the cricothyroid muscles, and internal branches, which carry sensory fibers. The RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE originates more caudally and carries efferents to all muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid. The laryngeal nerves and their various branches also carry sensory and autonomic fibers to the laryngeal, pharyngeal, tracheal, and cardiac regions.	Laryngeal Nerve, Superior,Laryngeal Nerve,Laryngeal Nerves, Superior,Nerve, Laryngeal,Nerve, Superior Laryngeal,Nerves, Laryngeal,Nerves, Superior Laryngeal,Superior Laryngeal Nerve,Superior Laryngeal Nerves
D007830	Larynx	A tubular organ of VOICE production. It is located in the anterior neck, superior to the TRACHEA and inferior to the tongue and HYOID BONE.	Anterior Commissure, Laryngeal,Anterior Commissure, Larynx,Laryngeal Anterior Commissure,Laryngeal Posterior Commissure,Posterior Commissure, Laryngeal,Posterior Commissure, Larynx,Anterior Commissures, Laryngeal,Anterior Commissures, Larynx,Commissure, Laryngeal Anterior,Commissure, Laryngeal Posterior,Commissure, Larynx Anterior,Commissure, Larynx Posterior,Commissures, Laryngeal Anterior,Commissures, Laryngeal Posterior,Commissures, Larynx Anterior,Commissures, Larynx Posterior,Laryngeal Anterior Commissures,Laryngeal Posterior Commissures,Larynx Anterior Commissure,Larynx Anterior Commissures,Larynx Posterior Commissure,Larynx Posterior Commissures,Posterior Commissures, Laryngeal,Posterior Commissures, Larynx
D011674	Pulse	The rhythmical expansion and contraction of an ARTERY produced by waves of pressure caused by the ejection of BLOOD from the left ventricle of the HEART as it contracts.	Pulses
D012018	Reflex	An involuntary movement or exercise of function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord.
D012119	Respiration	The act of breathing with the LUNGS, consisting of INHALATION, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of EXHALATION, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more CARBON DIOXIDE than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration (	Breathing
D001794	Blood Pressure	PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS.	Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D003371	Cough	A sudden, audible expulsion of air from the lungs through a partially closed glottis, preceded by inhalation. It is a protective response that serves to clear the trachea, bronchi, and/or lungs of irritants and secretions, or to prevent aspiration of foreign materials into the lungs.	Coughs
D003714	Denervation	The resection or removal of the nerve to an organ or part.	Laser Neurectomy,Neurectomy,Peripheral Neurectomy,Radiofrequency Neurotomy,Denervations,Laser Neurectomies,Neurectomies,Neurectomies, Laser,Neurectomies, Peripheral,Neurectomy, Laser,Neurectomy, Peripheral,Neurotomies, Radiofrequency,Neurotomy, Radiofrequency,Peripheral Neurectomies,Radiofrequency Neurotomies
D000403	Airway Resistance	Physiologically, the opposition to flow of air caused by the forces of friction. As a part of pulmonary function testing, it is the ratio of driving pressure to the rate of air flow.	Airway Resistances,Resistance, Airway,Resistances, Airway