Reflex Control Of The Circulation Flashcards
Give examples of excitatory inputs
Arterial chemoreceptors, muscle metaboreceptors
Give examples of inhibitory inputs
Arterial baroreceptors, cardiac-pulmonary receptors
What are arterial baroreceptors important for?
Vital to maintain blood flow to brain and myocardium
Where does the body monitor blood pressure?
Carotid and coronary arteries
How does blood pressure monitoring tell us about blood flow?
Pa = CO x TPR
What does a decrease in Pa reflect?
Either a decrease in CO or TPR which compromises blood flow to the brain or heart
Where are the blood pressure sensors found?
In the walls of the carotid arteries/ aorta
What happens with the baroreceptors when there’s an increase in pressure?
As pressure increases, fast firing which eventually slows down and becomes constant, but at a higher level than before
What happens to the baroreceptors when there’s a decrease in pressure?
The firing slows down proportionately
What happens when there’s continued low or high pressure in the baroreceptors?
The threshold changes
What is the effect of an increased blood pressure on the heart (5)?
Increase in BP = loading
- pulse pressure falls
- vasodilation decreases TPR and BP
- decreased sympathetic nerve activity
- increased vagal nerve activity
What is the effect of decreased blood pressure on baroreflex?
Decrease in BP = unloading
- increased sympathetic activity and decreased vagal activity
- increased heart rate and force of contraction so cardiac output is increased
- arterioles constriction gives increased TPR
- venous constriction increases central venous pressure and increases stroke volume and cardiac output
What are veno-atrial mechanoreceptors stimulated by?
Increase in cardiac filling/ cardiac venous pressure
How do veno-atrial mechanoreceptors work?
Increased diuresis switches off ADH and RAAS-> less sympathetic activity to kidneys, so more glomerular filtration. This then secretes atrial natriuretic peptide
What nerve is connected to the veno-atrial mechanoreceptors?
Vagus afferents
What are ventricular mechanoreceptors stimulated by?
Over distension of vesicles