Stimuli |
Receptors |
Locations |
Clinical Conditions |
Quality of Dyspnea |
Chemoreceptors |
||||
| Changes in CSF pH | Central Chemoreceptors | Brain Stem (Medulla) | c | Air Hunger |
| Changes in pO2, pCO2 | Peripheral Chemoreceptors | Carotid and Aortic bodies | CHF | |
| Mechanoreceptors | ||||
| Stretch Lung Inflation | Pulmonary Stretch Receptors | Pulmonary Alveoli | __ | Chest Tightness Suffocation |
| Tactile Stimulation Air Flow Rate Bronchial Muscle tone |
Pulmonary Irritant Receptors | Bronchial Epithelium | Asthma | |
| Pulmonary Interstitial & Capillary Pressure | C Fibers (J – Juxta capillary Receptors) | Interstitium Capillaries | CHF, COPD, Pulmonary Vascular Diseases e.g., PE | |
| Mechanical (movement, length & tension change) | Muscle Spindles | Intercostal Muscles | COPD, Asthma, ILD Neuromuscular diseases | Increased Sense of Effort |
| Mechanical (force of contraction) | Tendon Organs | Diaphragm | __ | |
| Mechanical (chest wall movement & timing) | Proprioceptors | Joints and Tendons | __ | |
