Hering-Breuer reflex

Pulmonary stretch receptors are responsible for initiating the Hering-Breuer reflex. These stretch receptors are located within the smooth muscle of large and small airways. They are stimulated when the tidal volume exceeds 1 1. Nerve impulses are transmitted by the vagus nerve to the medullary respiratory center and inhibit the inspiratory neurons. The primary function of these receptors and the Hering-Breuer reflex is to prevent overinflation of the lungs. 

Rabbette PS, Stocks J. Influence of volume dependency and timing of ahway occlusions on the Hering-Breuer reflex in infants. J Appl Physiol 1998 85 2033-2039. 

Until the discovery of chemoreceptors, the Hering-Breuer reflex was the only pulmonary reflex known. Therefore, it was assumed to be important in the autoregulation of respiration. Although the vagus impulses contribute to the rhythmicity of breathing, it is clear that respiration is controlled mainly by the chemical changes that take place in the blood. 

Rabbit females Inhalation 200-300 ia20 min Transient decrease in cough reflex and Hering-Breuer inflation reflex. LOAEL 20a 300 Hanacek ec al. 1991... 

Slowly adapting receptor Breuer-Hering reflex... 

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