Mechanism of smart baroreception in the aortic arch.
A mechanism is proposed by which the patch of baroreceptors along the inner curvature of the arch of the aorta can sense hemodynamic events occurring downstream from the aortic arch, in the periphery of the arterial tree. Based on a solution of equations governing the elastic movements of the aortic wall, it is shown that the pressure distribution along the patch of baroreceptors has the same functional form as the distribution of strain along the patch. The significance of these findings are discussed, particularly as they relate to the possibility of a neuromechanical basis of essential hypertension.
Kember
G C
GC
Department of Engineering Mathematics, Dalhousie University, P. O. Box 1000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3J 2X4.
Armour
J A
JA
Zamir
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D011311:Pressoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*