Influence of peripheral proprioceptive peripheral sensitivity on respiration

Abstract

By means of artificial perfusion in the hind legs of the dog, a study is made of the somatic repercussion taking place through the variations of circulation in the former, the following been observed: The mechanical descent of perfusion pressure in the hind legs causes an increase in pulmonary ventilation. An analogous reaction is observed even when the descent of perfusion pressure is limited to one leg.

The section of the sciatic and femoral nerves annuls the mentioned respiratory reactions.

These facts indicate the existence in the hind legs of a propioceptive sensibility influencing respiration, the efferent way of this sensibility being through the sciatic and femoral nerves.

The general blood pressure of the animal is not influenced in the author’s experiments by these variations of perfusion pressure in the hind legs.