Pulmonary stretch receptors

Sensory receptors in the lungs that respond to stretch

General Information
Latin
Greek
TA98
TA2
FMA
Details
System	Respiratory system
Artery
Vein
Nerve
Lymphatic drainage
Precursor
Function	Detect lung inflation
Identifiers
Clinical significance
Notes

Pulmonary stretch receptors are mechanoreceptors found in the lungs that are activated by the stretching of the lung tissue. These receptors play a crucial role in the respiratory system by helping to regulate the breathing process.

Function

Pulmonary stretch receptors are primarily responsible for detecting the degree of inflation of the lungs. When the lungs inflate, these receptors send signals via the vagus nerve to the medulla oblongata in the brainstem. This feedback mechanism helps to modulate the respiratory rate and tidal volume, preventing over-inflation of the lungs, a process known as the Hering-Breuer reflex.

Types

There are two main types of pulmonary stretch receptors:

• Slowly adapting receptors (SARs): These receptors respond to the static component of lung inflation and are involved in the regulation of the breathing cycle.
• Rapidly adapting receptors (RARs): These receptors respond to changes in lung volume and are more sensitive to irritants and mechanical stimuli.

Clinical significance

Dysfunction of pulmonary stretch receptors can lead to respiratory disorders. For example, impaired function may contribute to conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, where the regulation of lung inflation is compromised.

See also

• Mechanoreceptor
• Respiratory physiology
• Hering-Breuer reflex