[Changes in the excitability of central endings of the superior laryngeal nerve following activation of the respiratory center]

Abstract

Changes in polarization of central afferent terminals of the superior laryngeal nerve with variations in the level of the respiratory generator activity evoked by a short (up to 1 min) asphyxia were investigated in experiments on anesthetized and paralyzed rabbits using Wall's method. Antidromic responses decreased up to 5-20% of the control level during activation of the respiratory generator with an increase in frequency and amplitude of rhythmic discharges in the phrenic nerve evoked by a short asphyxia. It is supposed that the primary afferent polarization depends not only on the level of afferent inflow but also on the activity of the central respiratory generator.