Baroreceptor reflex
Baroreceptor reflex (pronounced: bar-o-re-cep-tor re-flex) is a crucial component of the human body's homeostatic mechanism that helps to maintain blood pressure within normal limits.
Etymology
The term "baroreceptor" is derived from the Greek words "baros," meaning weight, and "receptor," which refers to a sensory nerve ending that responds to various stimuli. The term "reflex" comes from the Latin "reflexus," meaning to bend back.
Definition
The baroreceptor reflex is a rapid negative feedback loop in which an elevated blood pressure causes the heart rate to decrease and thus brings the blood pressure back down to its set point. Conversely, a decrease in blood pressure decreases baroreceptor activity and causes the heart rate to increase, returning the blood pressure to its set point.
Function
Baroreceptors are stretch-sensitive mechanoreceptors located in the carotid sinus and the aortic arch. They sense changes in blood pressure and relay this information to the brainstem, which then adjusts the heart rate, contractility, and systemic vascular resistance to maintain the blood pressure within a normal range.
Related Terms
- Blood pressure: The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.
- Carotid sinus: A dilated area at the base of the internal carotid artery that is loaded with baroreceptors.
- Aortic arch: The part of the aorta that bends between the ascending and descending aorta and has baroreceptors in its walls.
- Brainstem: The posterior part of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord, responsible for vital life functions such as breathing and heart rate.
See Also
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