Pulmonary Stretch Receptor

Pulmonary stretch receptors are mechanoreceptors located primarily in the smooth muscle of the airways (trachea and bronchi) and within the pleura of the lungs. These receptors respond to mechanical stretching or distension that occurs during lung inflation. They initiate the Hering-Breuer inflation reflex, inhibiting further inspiration when the lungs are sufficiently inflated, and play a role in bronchodilation, surfactant production, heart rate modulation, and breathing pattern modulation.

Other names

Pulmonary stretch receptorsAirway stretch receptorLung stretch receptorSARs (Slowly Adapting Pulmonary Stretch Receptors)RARs (Rapidly Adapting Receptors)