Pulmonary afferent activity recorded from sympathetic nerves

Abstract

This study in mongrel dogs, anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital, verified the existence of pulmonary receptors whose afferents traverse the right and left upper thoracic white rami communicantes. These receptors responded to lung inflation as well as pinching of the lung parenchyma and were nonadapting in nature. In some fibers, increases in afferent activity were also observed when the pulmonary artery and veins were mechanically stimulated by probing. Conduction velocities of these afferents were measured in single-fiber preparations and were of the Adelta fiber type.