Cardiac centers, cardiac receptors and cardiac reflexes

BY
Professor Dr.Abdel-razek Khedr
 Learning objectives
 By the end of this lecture, you should
1. Demonstrate cardio-inhibitory & cardio-
excitatory centers.
2. Identify the function of chemo and baro-
receptors.
3. Compare between chemo and baro-receptors.
4. Enumerate cardiovascular reflexes.
5. Clarify baroreceptor reflex pathway.
6. Clarify chemoreceptor reflex pathway
THE MEDULLARY CARDIOVASCULAR
CENTERS

These are located in RF of MO and classified into

three categories:
(1) The cardio-inhibitory center.
(2) The vasomotor center.
(3) The medullary sensory area.
I. THE CARDIOINHIBITORY CENTER (CIC):
in the upper medial part of medulla
. It includes parts of the nucleus ambiguous and the dorsal
motor nucleus of the vagus nerve.
decreasing the heart rate. With strong stimulation, the heart
might stop altogether.
The CIC is concerned mainly with the control of heart rate
by controlling the rate of discharge from the S-A node. But,
when stimulated, it also suppresses the A-V nodal
conduction, atrial excitability and contractility. The right
vagus has much stronger influence on the S-A node than the
left vagus. The left vagus has a stronger influence on the A-V
node.
II. THE VASO MOTOR CENTER (VMC):
This center has two components:
(a) The vasoconstrictor center (VCC, area Cl):
This is also called the vasopressor area (VPA). It is
found in the upper ventrolateral part of the
medulla. It sends descending fibers to relay on lateral
horn cells of the thoracic and lumbar segments of the
spinal cord. These fibers excite the vasoconstrictor
and cardioexcitatory neurons of the sympathetic
nervous system. Stimulation of this center leads to
generalized vasoconstriction and acceleration of
the heart
b) The vasodilator center (VDC, area Al):
This center is found in the lowerventrolateral
part of the medulla. It receives input signals
from the sensory area (area A2) in themedulla.
This center is not connected with any
vasodilator nerves. When it is stimulated, it
produces generalized vasodilation just by
inhibiting the vasoconstrictor center.
III. THE MEDULLARY SENSORY AREA (The medullary
transfer component) (AREA A2):

This area is found in the lower posterolateral part of the

medulla in the nucleus of the tractus solitarus. It receives
input signals from different parts of the body. After
processing the input signals, output signals project to
the CIC, VCC, and VDC to adjust their activities
according to the situation.
THE VASO-SENSORYAREAS

Regions in the circulatory system contain receptors and send impulses to respiratory and cardiovascular
centers to control respiration and circulation Figure(34)
A- Carotid sinus and aortic arch (baroreceptors) B-Carotid and aortic bodies(chemoreceptors)
A- Carotid sinus and aortic arch (baroreceptors):
Site:
a- Carotid sinus: At the beginning of internal carotid artery
after bifurcation of common carotid artery.
b- Aortic arch: The curve between the ascending and
descending parts of thoracic aorta.

Receptors: Contain presso-receptors in tunica adventitia of

their wall is stimulated by arterial blood pressure.

Nerve supply (Afferents):

Carotid sinus: Supplied by sinus branch of glossopharyngeal
nerve.
Aortic arch: Supplied by aortic branch of vagus nerve.

Functions: When stimulated, they send inhibitory impulses

through sinus and aortic nerves to inhibit the respiratory and
cardiovascular
B. Carotid and Aortic Bodies ( Chemoreceptors):
Site:
a. Carotid bodv: At the origin of external carotid artery.
b. Aortic bodv: Near the arch of aorta.

Receptors: Contain chemoreceptors which are stimulated by

increase C02. Increase H and decrease 02.

Nerve supply: The same as carotid sinus and aortic arch.

Functions: Send excitatory impulses to respiratory and

cardiovascular centers
Cardiovascular reflexes
Reflexes from Arterial side:
A. Reflexes due to stimulation of
pressoreceptors:
1. Decrease H.R. due to stimulation of C.I.C.
and inhibition of C.A.C. (Marey's law).
2. Inhibition of respiration due to inhibition of
respirator center.
3. Inhibition of adrenaline secretion due to
inhibition of adrenaline secretory center.
4. Decrease A. B.P. due to inhibition of
V.C.C. and stimulation of V.D.C.
5. Inhibition of secretion of A.D.H and
aldosterone.
B. Reflexes due to stimulation of
chemoreceptors:
1: Increase A.B.P. due to stimulation of V.C.C.
2: Stimulation of respiration through
stimulation of respiratory center.
3: Increase adrenaline secretion due to
stimulation of adrenaline secretory Centre.
4: Increase H.R. to stimulation of C.A.C. and
inhibtion of CIC.

 Reflexes due to increase right intra-atrial (auricular) pres
 1: Bainbridge reflex: increase H.R. due to stimulation of C. A.C.
inhibition of C.LC.
 2: Harrison's reflex: Stim. of respiration due to stimulation of
respiratory centre.
 3: Increase A.B.P. due to stim. Of V.C.C. and inhibition of V.D.C.
Dowall's reflex).
 4: Increase adrenaline secretion due to stim. of adrenaline secre
center.
 5: Anrep's Reflex: Coronary vasodilatation due to inhibition of va
tone.
 6: Increase secretion of A.D.H. and aldosterone
.
 Reflexes due to decrease right Intra-atrial (auricular) pre

 1: Mc DowalTs Reflex: increase A.B.P. due to stim. Of V.C.C. and
inhibition of V.D.C.
 2: Increase Secretion of A.D.H. and aldosterone.

 Q: What is Mc Dowall's Reflex?
 A: Either decrease or increase of right intra-atrial pressure leads

Thank you