Hering-Breuer reflex
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The Hering-Breuer reflex is a reflex triggered to prevent overinflation of the lungs. Pulmonary stretch receptors present in the smooth muscle of the airways respond to excessive stretching of the lung during large inspirations.
Once activated, they send action potentials through afferent nerve fibre to the medulla oblongata, inhibiting the inspiratory neurons present there. This results in inhibiting inspiration, allowing expiration to occur.[1]
- ^ Sherwood, Lauralee. "Ch13", in Peter Adams: Human physiology from cells to systems, 6th, Thomson Brooks/Cole. ISBN 0534568262 }.
- Physiology at MCG 4/4ch6/s4ch6_15
- Dictionary at eMedicine Hering-Breuer+reflex
- synd/3172 at Who Named It