The Nasopulmonary Reflex in the Awake Animal

Abstract

Changes in pulmonary resistance and compliance, secondary to excitation of a nasopulmonary reflex, were studied in awake and anesthetized dogs. Resistance increased in all dogs after stimulation of the nasal mucosa. Because the direction and magnitude of compliance changes varied widely in both awake and anesthetized dogs, no predictable pattern could be established. A physiologic as well as an anatomic alliance links the upper and lower parts of the respiratory tract. The pathophysiologic significance of this relationship must be determined.