Baroreceptor
Baroreceptor
A baroreceptor is a type of sensory receptor that is sensitive to changes in blood pressure. These receptors are located in the walls of blood vessels, particularly in the carotid sinus and the aortic arch. Baroreceptors play a crucial role in the baroreflex, a negative feedback loop that helps maintain homeostasis by regulating blood pressure.
Function[edit | edit source]
Baroreceptors detect the stretch of the blood vessel walls, which corresponds to the pressure of the blood within the vessel. When blood pressure rises, the walls of the blood vessels stretch more, and the baroreceptors increase their firing rate. Conversely, when blood pressure falls, the walls stretch less, and the firing rate of the baroreceptors decreases.
The information from baroreceptors is transmitted to the central nervous system via the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) from the carotid sinus and the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) from the aortic arch. This information is processed in the medulla oblongata, which then adjusts the autonomic nervous system to maintain stable blood pressure. This can involve changes in heart rate, vascular resistance, and cardiac output.
Baroreflex[edit | edit source]
The baroreflex is a rapid response mechanism that helps to stabilize blood pressure. When blood pressure increases, the baroreceptors send signals to the medulla oblongata, which in turn activates the parasympathetic nervous system and inhibits the sympathetic nervous system. This results in a decrease in heart rate and dilation of blood vessels, lowering blood pressure. Conversely, when blood pressure decreases, the baroreceptors reduce their signaling, leading to an increase in heart rate and constriction of blood vessels, raising blood pressure.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Baroreceptors are essential for short-term regulation of blood pressure. Dysfunction in baroreceptor sensitivity can lead to conditions such as orthostatic hypotension, where blood pressure drops significantly upon standing, causing dizziness and fainting. Chronic hypertension can also affect baroreceptor function, leading to a diminished ability to regulate blood pressure effectively.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Blood pressure
- Carotid sinus
- Aortic arch
- Glossopharyngeal nerve
- Vagus nerve
- Medulla oblongata
- Autonomic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Hypertension
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen