Respiratory Afferent Activity in the Superior Laryngeal Nerves

This study evaluates the afferent activity in the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) during breathing as well as during occluded inspiratory efforts. Experiments were performed in 11 anesthetized and spontaneously breathing dogs. Electroneurographic activity was recorded from the peripheral cut end of the SLN and, in 3 dogs, also from the contralateral vagus nerve. A tracheal cannula with a side arm allowed the bypass of the larynx during breathing and occluded efforts. A clear inspiratory modulation was present in all experimental conditions. Both peak and duration of the SLN activity decreased (87% and 89%) when breathing was diverted from the upper airway to the tracheostomy. Peak and duration of the SLN activity (as % of upper airway breathing) increased during occluded efforts; however, the increase was greater when the larynx was not by-passed (peak = 118% vs 208%, duration = 143% vs 178%). Section of the ipsilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve reduced the inspiratory modulation. Vagal afferent activity increased equally during tracheostomy and upper airway breathing and decreased markedly during tracheal and upper airway occlusions. Our results indicate that collapsing pressure in the larynx is the major stimulus in activating laryngeal afferents.