Autonomic regulation of the airways

Abstract

The airways are innervated by a sympathetic, a parasympathetic, and a third [perhaps vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) releasing] nervous system. These nerves modulate smooth muscle tone and submucosal gland secretion and possibly other cell systems in the airways. Adrenergic and cholinergic receptors are distributed unevenly in airways of different sizes and among different cells. Considerable evidence is presented that implicates abnormalities of autonomic function in asthma.