呼吸道迷走神经感受器概述

肺以及气道与外界环境之间存在着巨大的界面,因此需要有效的防御反射机制。呼吸道感受器是肺部神经反射的起始点,其重要性不言而喻,采用组织,解剖与电生理学方法,经过一个世纪的研究,我们对于呼吸道感受器的认识,特别对其结构的认识,仍然有限,据电生理实验结果,肺部感受器至少可被分为三大类;慢适应感受器,快适应感受器以及C纤维感受器,按血供来源,后者又可分为气道（体循环）与肺（肺循环）两类,近来发现呼吸道中存在着第四类感受器,它们由迷走神经的Aδ传入纤维传递冲动,其放电活动不同于上述各类,对肺充气反应阈值高,故称之为高阈值Aδ感受器,功能上前两类基本属于机械性感受器,而后两类可归为化学敏感性感受器,另外,用组织学方法,观察到气道内有一些神经内分泌细胞,它们可以散在分布,亦可集聚成小体。这些神经上皮小体受多种神经支配,其结构复杂,形态酪似感受器,虽然我们对其形态了解颇深,但对其放电形式一无所知,本文对以上各类感受器进行了评述与探讨。

An overview of vagal airway receptors

Breathing is critically depending on a variety of sensory feedbacks from multiple sources for its optimal performance. The sensory information from the lung and airways probably provides one of the most important feedbacks to adjust the respiratory controller to generate optimal breathing movements. Since Breuer and Hering made the seminal report regarding role of the vagus nerve in control of breathing in 1868, airway sensory receptors have been a subject for intensive and extensive studies. After more than a century investigation, our knowledge accumulates immensely, however, our understanding of the nature of these sensory receptors is still far from complete. This brief review provides an overview on this topic.