THE RESPONSE TO STEADY PRESSURES OF SINGLE END ORGANS IN THE ISOLATED CAROTID SINUS

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Abstract
[In rabbits] the properties of the pressure receptors in the carotid sinus (CS) have been investigated by isolating and perfusing the CS and recording the impulses from single end organs. The response of such an end organ to steady pressure consists of a train of impulses following. one another with a high degree of regularity. This discharge continues indefinitely at a frequency only slightly less than the initial max. value. Thus these receptors are of the type that adapts but little. The frequency of response increases with increased pressure in the CS. There is a wide variation in threshold for different receptors. By means of the above 2 factors variations in pressure give rise to variations in the no. of afferent impulses from the CS per unit of time. Associated with a drop in pressure within the CS there is a complete cessation of impulses from the end organ, which after some sec. begins discharging again at a frequency characteristic of the new pressure level. The relation of this phenomenon to the production of a pulsatile type of discharge accompanying the arterial pulse is discussed. These pressure receptors are insensitive to variations in the CO2 and O2 content of the blood. This indicates that the respiratory reflexes arising within the CS are due to a different set of end organs.

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