Regulation of the cutaneous circulation

Abstract

In this symposium, a diversity of perspectives was focused on how blood flow to the skin is controlled. Thus, control of the cutaneous circulation by reflexes aimed at body temperature regulation, blood pressure regulation, and the reflexes attending muscular exercise was discussed in detail, as were the similarities and differences between control of cutaneous arterioles and arteriovenous anastomoses. A mechanistic treatment of interaction between adrenergic control of cutaneous blood vessels and their temperature brought physical factors and pharmacological approaches to the consideration of reflex control. Finally, the more slowly developing changes in the control of the skin circulation that accompany circadian rhythms, changes in blood volume or its distribution, physical training, and acclimatization were discussed. Because the cutaneous circulation has potentially large vascular conductance, blood flow, and blood volume, control of the resistance and compliance vessels within the skin has an importance well beyond that of tissue nutrition. Indeed, overall hemodynamics are dependent on how much blood flow and how much blood volume are distributed to skin. Consequently, reflex factors, physical factors, and their interaction all have roles of importance with respect to exchange of heat with environment as well as maintenance of blood pressure, cardiac output, and blood flow to other tissues.