Biomaterial Database

Elastin and mechanoreceptor mechanisms with special reference to the mammalian carotid sinus. 1995

J K Kimani

Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Light microscopic studies reveal that the carotid baroreceptor region in mammals, located at the origin of the internal carotid artery, has a preponderantly elastic structure and a thick tunica adventitia. Electron microscopy discloses the presence of sensory nerve endings within the parts of the tunica adventitia adjoining the preponderantly elastic zone of the internal carotid artery. Bundles of collagen fibres in the tunica adventitia form convolutions or whorls around the nerve terminals and often terminate on the surface of the elastic fibres or into the basement membranes of the neuronal profiles. It is concluded that the large content of elastic tissue in the tunica media of the baroreceptor region renders the vessel wall highly distensible to intraluminal pressure changes, and thereby facilitates transmission of the stimulus intensity to sensory nerve terminals. However, a change in the geometrical configuration of the bundles of collagen under the influence of elastic fibres may provide a better insight into the mechanisms of distortion of the baroreceptors related to and/or in contact with collagen fibres. In support of this is the demonstration of contact sites between collagen and elastic fibres.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008322	Mammals	Warm-blooded vertebrate animals belonging to the class Mammalia, including all that possess hair and suckle their young.	Mammalia,Mammal
D011311	Pressoreceptors	Receptors in the vascular system, particularly the aorta and carotid sinus, which are sensitive to stretch of the vessel walls.	Baroreceptors,Receptors, Stretch, Arterial,Receptors, Stretch, Vascular,Stretch Receptors, Arterial,Stretch Receptors, Vascular,Arterial Stretch Receptor,Arterial Stretch Receptors,Baroreceptor,Pressoreceptor,Receptor, Arterial Stretch,Receptor, Vascular Stretch,Receptors, Arterial Stretch,Receptors, Vascular Stretch,Stretch Receptor, Arterial,Stretch Receptor, Vascular,Vascular Stretch Receptor,Vascular Stretch Receptors
D011984	Sensory Receptor Cells	Specialized afferent neurons capable of transducing sensory stimuli into NERVE IMPULSES to be transmitted to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Sometimes sensory receptors for external stimuli are called exteroceptors; for internal stimuli are called interoceptors and proprioceptors.	Nerve Endings, Sensory,Neurons, Sensory,Neuroreceptors,Receptors, Neural,Neural Receptors,Receptors, Sensory,Sensory Neurons,Sensory Receptors,Nerve Ending, Sensory,Neural Receptor,Neuron, Sensory,Neuroreceptor,Receptor Cell, Sensory,Receptor Cells, Sensory,Receptor, Neural,Receptor, Sensory,Sensory Nerve Ending,Sensory Nerve Endings,Sensory Neuron,Sensory Receptor,Sensory Receptor Cell
D002346	Carotid Sinus	The dilated portion of the common carotid artery at its bifurcation into external and internal carotids. It contains baroreceptors which, when stimulated, cause slowing of the heart, vasodilatation, and a fall in blood pressure.	Sinus, Carotid
D003094	Collagen	A polypeptide substance comprising about one third of the total protein in mammalian organisms. It is the main constituent of SKIN; CONNECTIVE TISSUE; and the organic substance of bones (BONE AND BONES) and teeth (TOOTH).	Avicon,Avitene,Collagen Felt,Collagen Fleece,Collagenfleece,Collastat,Dermodress,Microfibril Collagen Hemostat,Pangen,Zyderm,alpha-Collagen,Collagen Hemostat, Microfibril,alpha Collagen
D004547	Elastic Tissue	Connective tissue comprised chiefly of elastic fibers. Elastic fibers have two components: ELASTIN and MICROFIBRILS.	Elastic Fibers,Elastic Fiber,Elastic Tissues,Fiber, Elastic,Fibers, Elastic,Tissue, Elastic,Tissues, Elastic
D004549	Elastin		alpha-Elastin,kappa-Elastin,alpha Elastin,kappa Elastin
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia