Extra-segmental Reflexes Derived from Intercostal Afferents: Phrenic and Laryngeal Responses

1. Phrenic and recurrent laryngeal efferent responses were evoked by brief tetani or single shocks to the cut external intercostal nerves of anaesthetized cats. The reflexes derived from middle thoracic segments (T5 and 6) were compared with those emanating from caudal thoracic segments (T9 and 10).2. During inspiration, middle intercostal nerve stimulation transiently inhibited the spontaneous discharge in both efferent neurograms, whereas stimulation of caudal intercostal nerves facilitated phrenic discharge and usually inhibited recurrent laryngeal activity.3. During expiration, stimulation at either thoracic level enhanced recurrent laryngeal discharge while provoking little or no phrenic response.4. Superficial lesions of the lateral cervical cord, ipsilateral to the stimulus sites, above or below the phrenic outflow, eliminated all reflex responses except the phrenic response to caudal thoracic stimuli. Similarly, in the spinal animal, middle intercostal afferents could not be shown to decrease phrenic excitability. Caudal intercostal afferents cause phrenic excitation by a spinal reflex.5. Group I afferents of the mid-thoracic segments and group II afferents of the caudal thoracic segments initiate these extra-segmental reflexes.6. The recurrent laryngeal responses manifest, for the most part, changes in the discharge of fibres innervating the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle. The responses fit the overall pattern of response to middle intercostal nerve stimulation, namely, inhibition of inspiratory muscles and excitation of expiratory muscles. Intercostal afferent stimulation also activated the laryngeal adductor muscles.7. The results support the view that intercostal mechanoreceptors initiate an array of extra-segmental respiratory reflexes, including spinal and supraspinal arcs. The simplest way to account for the various responses to stimulation of middle intercostal afferents is to postulate a reflex involving supraspinal respiratory neurones.8. The observed reflexogenic differences correlate with anatomical differences between the middle and caudal ribs. Possible functional implications of this relationship are discussed.