baroreceptors
Arterial pressure detectors
Baroreceptors are sensory nerve endings that detect changes in blood pressure.
Located primarily in the walls of major arteries near the heart and neck, they send signals to the brain to regulate cardiovascular function—triggering adjustments in heart rate and blood vessel diameter to maintain stable pressure.
The baroreceptors sensed the sudden drop when she stood up too quickly.
Arterial baroreceptor at throat
- aortic archCurved section of main artery
- vagus nerveMajor parasympathetic cranial pathway
- carotid bodyVascular chemoreceptor cluster
Circulatory force measurement
- hypertensionChronic elevated arterial pressure
- hypotensionAbnormally reduced arterial pressure
- cardiac outputBlood volume heart moves
- heart rateCardiac contractions per minute
Pull to extend
- depolarizationLoss of electrical gradient
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
Abnormally slow heart rate
- tachycardiaExcessively fast pulse
- vasoconstrictionArterial walls contracting inward
- vasodilationRelaxation of vessel walls
- reflex arcNerve pathway for involuntary responses
Official rules governing conduct
- feedback loopSelf-modifying cyclical process
- set pointDesired control level
- equilibriumState of balance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
Temporary loss of consciousness
- heart failureInadequate blood pumping condition
- denervationLoss of nerve supply
carotid sinus
Arterial baroreceptor at throat
- aortic archCurved section of main artery
- vagus nerveMajor parasympathetic cranial pathway
- carotid bodyVascular chemoreceptor cluster
blood pressure
Circulatory force measurement
- hypertensionChronic elevated arterial pressure
- hypotensionAbnormally reduced arterial pressure
- cardiac outputBlood volume heart moves
heart rate · systolic · diastolic · arterial pressure · circulation
stretch
Pull to extend
- depolarizationLoss of electrical gradient
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
bradycardia
Abnormally slow heart rate
- tachycardiaExcessively fast pulse
- vasoconstrictionArterial walls contracting inward
- vasodilationRelaxation of vessel walls
regulation
Official rules governing conduct
- feedback loopSelf-modifying cyclical process
- set pointDesired control level
- equilibriumState of balance
syncope
Temporary loss of consciousness
- heart failureInadequate blood pumping condition
- denervationLoss of nerve supply
mechanoreceptors
Sensory cells detecting pressure
- chemoreceptorsCells detecting molecular stimuli
baroreceptorschemoreceptors
Cells detecting molecular stimuli