Sensory nerve endings in the carotid bodies of the carotid arteries are rich in

Question

Sensory nerve endings in the carotid bodies of the carotid arteries are rich in vagal fibers. The carotid arteries supply blood to the brain and are located bilaterally in the cervical region.
Part 1:  If you stimulate the carotid bodies, what branch of the ANS would be stimulated? (1 pt)
Part 2:  If the vagal fibers are stimulated, how would this affect the heart rate? Why? (2 pts)
Part 3:  Some parents decide to throw their children into a pool to teach them how to swim. For a number of reasons this may not be the best method to teach swimming, however, babies splashed in the face with cold water (<70F or <21C) exhibit a “diving reflex” as initiated by the parasympathetic nervous system. Is the diving reflex similar to or different from the stimulation of carotid bodies? Why? (1 pt)
Part 4:  The cold pressor test is a cardiovascular test performed by immersing a patient’s hand into ice water for one minute. The blood pressure and heart rate are continuously monitored during this test. Based on your knowledge of the ANS and effects of cold on blood vessel diameter, what would the effect of this test be on blood pressure? (1 pt)

Explanation / Answer

1) The carotid body stimulation would stimulate the parasympathetic cystem of autonomic nervous system.

2) Vagal fibers contain parasympathetic nerves. So, the stimulation of vagal fibers will decrease the heart rate.

3) Divinf reflex involves stimulation of trigeminal nerve while carotid reflex involves glossopharyngeal nerve. So, these two reflexes are different.

4) The cold temperature causes narrowing of blood vessels. This will increase the blood pressure.

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