Role of the Nervous System in the Control of Vascular Tone

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The classical concepts of the control of vascular "tone" are reviewed, i.e., the role of sympathetic and parasympathetic vasoconstrictors and vasodilator nerves, the adrenal medulla and tissue metabolites. These classical concepts are reexamined in the light of recent investigative findings. Apparently the so-called parasympathetic vasodilator fibers are not specific dilator fibers; the so-called dorsal root vasodilation is probably a result of a pain fiber reflex and the sympathetic vasodilator fibers are probably limited to vessels within skeletal muscles. The concept of "basal activity," i.e., minimal vascular tone, and the factors which produce the active tone are reviewed. It is concluded that the major factor in determining vasomotor activity is the behavior of the sympathetic vasoconstrictor nervous system.