Is greater resting sympathetic nerve activity better for hypertension? Perhaps for the arterial baroreflex.

摘要

The carotid and aortic baroreflexes are comprised of mechanoreceptors located at the medial-adventitial border of arteries in the carotid sinus bifurcation and aortic arch that function as the sensors in a negative feedback control system. Alterations in arterial blood pressure cause a conformational change in the baroreceptors leading to changes in afferent neuronal firing that converge centrally within the nucleus tractus solitarii of the medulla oblongata reflexively modulating parasympathetic and sympathetic efferent activity. These autonomic adjustments will affect both the heart and the blood vessels in order to return blood pressure towards its original set point. Although these pathways have been well described, the complex interactions between the multiple components of the baroreflex arc are still an ongoing area of intense investigation.