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Table 1 Relevant respiratory receptors and their location and effect

From: Noninvasive ventilation and the upper airway: should we pay more attention?

Receptors

 

Location

Stimulus

Effect

C-fiber

Pulmonary

Between alveolar epithelium and pulmonary capillary

Large mechanical deformations, chemical stimuli and temperature increases

Inhibitory effects as apnea, hypotension and bradycardia

 

Bronchial

In the walls of conducting airway

  

Rapidly adapting

 

In epithelium close to bronchial venules

Very sensitive to mechanical stimuli and slow response to chemical stimuli

Irritant receptors cause cough and expiration reflexes

Pulmonary stretch

 

In close association with airway smooth muscle

Mechanical changes, stretch of airway wall

Terminate inspiration and extend expiration (Hering–Breuer reflex).