title: Neuronal control of airways smooth muscle.
abstract: Sensory afferent nerves relay impulses from the airways to the central nervous system so that appropriate changes in bronchomotor tone and breathing patterns may occur. The dominant efferent control of airways smooth muscle is exerted via bronchoconstrictor parasympathetic cholinergic nerves. In some species this is opposed by bronchodilator sympathetic noradrenergic nerves. In addition, there exist both excitatory bronchoconstrictor and inhibitory bronchodilator non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic pathways. This review examines the role of the different branches of the autonomic nervous system in the control of airways smooth muscle tone with particular reference to modulation of these branches and the interactions which may exist between them.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Pharmacology, Glaxo Group Research, Ware, Hertfordshire, U.K.
authors.forename: Y D
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Pendry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000294:innervation