[Pulmonary vagal afferents in man]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary physiology
• Neuroscience
• Respiratory medicine

Context:

• Vagal afferent pathways from the lungs are essential for numerous pulmonary reflexes.
• Understanding these pathways is key to comprehending respiratory control mechanisms.
• Existing research often relies on animal models, necessitating human-centric studies.

Purpose:

• To review the morphology and function of pulmonary vagal receptors.
• To emphasize studies investigating pulmonary vagal reflexes in humans.
• To describe the roles of pulmonary stretch receptors, irritant receptors, and C-fibers.

Summary:

• Vagal afferentation from the lungs involves diverse nerve fibers, underpinning pulmonary reflexes.
• The review covers pulmonary stretch receptors, irritant receptors, and C-fibers.
• Emphasis is placed on human studies of vagal reflexes due to challenges in extrapolating animal data.

Impact:

• Highlights the critical role of vagus nerves in human respiratory functions.
• Provides insights into the neural control of cough, breathlessness, and breathing patterns.
• Underscores the importance of human-based research for clinical relevance in respiratory disorders.