A comparison of contractile function in large and small pulmonary arterial vessels of the rat.
The contractile function of rat pulmonary arterial vessels, ranging in internal diameter from 100 to 2000 microns, was studied in vitro using a small vessel myograph. It was found that vessels with a diameter of 200-400 microns produced considerably more force for a given intervention than those either smaller (less than 100-2000 microns) or larger (400-2000 microns). It is suggested that these vessels may play an important role in the generation of pulmonary vascular resistance.
Leach
R M
RM
Department of Medicine, United Medical School, London.
Twort
C H
CH
Cameron
I R
IR
Ward
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology
D012701:Serotonin