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The fine structure of the pulmonary stretch receptor in the rat

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Summary

In rats the 3rd to 6th bronchi, measuring 500–700 μ in diameter during inspiration, were investigated by light and electron microscopy. The histological appearance of these bronchi is comparable to that of medium sized bronchioles of larger animals.

The branched and lanceolate terminals are associated with the connective tissue of the lamina propria and the smooth muscle cell layer. In this way the terminals are bound to the myoelastic system of the bronchial wall. The myelinated afferent fiber is branched and the diameter measures about 4–6 microns. Besides afferent nerve terminals these are numerous efferent endings on the smooth muscle basement laminae.

It is supposed that the described receptor represents the pulmonary stretch receptor of the Hering Breuer reflex.

Zusammenfassung

Lappenbronchien (3./6.) (Durchmesser bei mittlerer Inspirationslage 500–700 μ) von männlichen und weiblichen Wistarratten wurden licht- und elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Diese Bronchien entsprechen im Wandbau den mittleren Bronchioli größerer Säugetiere.

Freie, verzweigte lanzettförmige Terminalfasern werden im Bindegewebe der lamina propria beschrieben. Sie sind in das elastisch muskuläre System der Bronchuswand eingebaut. Die zugehörige markhaltige afferente Nervenfaser ist verzweigt und hat einen Durchmesser von 4–6 μ. Außerdem werden efferente motorische Endigungen an der glatten Bronchialmuskulatur beschrieben.

Die freien lanzettförmigen und verzweigten Terminalfasern sind möglicherweise Dehnungsrezeptoren für den Hering Breuer Reflex.

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This study has been supported by the “Verein zur Untersuchung von Einwirkungen der Luftverschmutzung auf die Volksgesundheit e.V. Bochum” and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB Bionach).

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v. Düring, M., Andres, K.H. & Iravani, J. The fine structure of the pulmonary stretch receptor in the rat. Z. Anat. Entwickl. Gesch. 143, 215–222 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00525771

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