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Allergy Frontiers: Classification and Pathomechanisms pp 457–468Cite as

Neuroanatomy of the Airways

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Part of the book series: Allergy Frontiers ((ALLERGY,volume 2))

Abstract

Both the nose and the lower airways are innervated by the parasysmpathetic and sympathetic systems: the former has both sensory and motor functions, but the latter only motor. In the nose, parasympathetic afferent nerves can cause reflex apnoea, sneeze and sniff, and strong changes in the autonomic nervous system in relation to the cardiovascular system, the larynx and the lungs. Parasympathetic and sympathetic motor nerves to the nose cause vascular and secretory effects. In the lower airways many neural sensors have been described: slowly and rapidly adapting stretch receptors, C-fibre receptors, various ‘cough receptors’ and neuroepithelial bodies. Parasympathetic (vagal) pathways conduct many reflexes from these peripheral sensors: cough of different patterns, apnoeas, gasps and cardiovascular, bronchomotor and laryngomotor changes. These reflexes have been shown to exhibit ‘plasticity’ in various physiological and pathological conditions. The motor supply to the lungs is parasympathetic and sympathetic, with a number of different subdivisions based mainly on the mediators released. These affect airway smooth muscle, bronchial and pulmonary vascular beds and airway secretory tissues. For both the nose and the lower airways the afferent and efferent neural supplies interact in highly complex central nervous system ‘centres’ which are, thankfully, beyond the scope of this review.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of London, 116 Pepys Road, London, SW20 8NY, UK

    John Widdicombe

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  1. John Widdicombe
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Ruby Pawankar

  2. Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, UK

    Stephen T. Holgate

  3. Childrens's Mercy Hospital and Clinic, UMKC School of Medicine, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA

    Lanny J. Rosenwasser

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Widdicombe, J. (2009). Neuroanatomy of the Airways. In: Pawankar, R., Holgate, S.T., Rosenwasser, L.J. (eds) Allergy Frontiers: Classification and Pathomechanisms. Allergy Frontiers, vol 2. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-88315-9_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-88315-9_27

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-88314-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-88315-9

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