Editing Cardiovascular centre

{{Short description|Brain region controlling cardiovascular functions}}
{{More citations needed|article|date=November 2020}}

The '''cardiovascular centre''' is a part of the [[human brain]] which regulates [[heart rate]] through the [[nervous system|nervous]] and [[endocrine system|endocrine]] systems.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last1=Wehrwein|first1=Erica A.|title=Chapter 8 - Regulation of blood pressure by the arterial baroreflex and autonomic nervous system|date=2013-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444534910000080|journal=Handbook of Clinical Neurology|volume=117|pages=89–102|editor-last=Buijs|editor-first=Ruud M.|series=Autonomic Nervous System|publisher=Elsevier|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-444-53491-0.00008-0|access-date=2020-11-25|last2=Joyner|first2=Michael J.|pmid=24095118|isbn=9780444534910 |editor2-last=Swaab|editor2-first=Dick F.|url-access=subscription}}</ref> It is considered one of the vital centres of the [[medulla oblongata]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Citation|last=Johns|first=Paul|title=Chapter 1 - Overview of the nervous system|date=2014-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780443103216000011|work=Clinical Neuroscience|pages=1–17|editor-last=Johns|editor-first=Paul|publisher=Churchill Livingstone|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-443-10321-6.00001-1|isbn=978-0-443-10321-6|access-date=2020-11-25|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

== Structure ==
The cardiovascular centre, or cardiovascular center, is part of the medulla oblongata of the [[brainstem]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Citation|last1=Michael-Titus|first1=Adina|date=2010-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978070203373500006X|work=The Nervous System (Second Edition)|pages=105–119|editor-last=Michael-Titus|editor-first=Adina|publisher=Churchill Livingstone|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-7020-3373-5.00006-x|isbn=978-0-7020-3373-5|access-date=2020-11-25|last2=Revest|first2=Patricia|last3=Shortland|first3=Peter|title=Cranial Nerves and the Brainstem|editor2-last=Revest|editor2-first=Patricia|editor3-last=Shortland|editor3-first=Peter|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Normally, the heart beats without nervous control. In some situations, such as [[exercise]], and [[major trauma]], the cardiovascular centre is responsible for altering heart rate. It also mediates [[respiratory sinus arrhythmia]].

== Function ==
The cardiovascular centre responds to a variety of types of sensory information, such as:
* change of [[Acid–base homeostasis|blood pH]], detected by [[central chemoreceptors]].<ref name=":1">{{Citation|last=Carroll|first=Robert G.|title=8 - Vascular System|date=2007-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323043182500145|work=Elsevier's Integrated Physiology|pages=77–89|editor-last=Carroll|editor-first=Robert G.|place=Philadelphia|publisher=Mosby|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-04318-2.50014-5|isbn=978-0-323-04318-2|access-date=2020-11-25|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
* change of [[blood]] [[pH]], detected by [[peripheral chemoreceptor]]s in the [[aortic body|aortic bodies]] and in the [[carotid body|carotid bodies]].<ref name=":1" />
* change of [[blood pressure]], detected by arterial [[baroreceptor]]s in the [[aortic arch]] and the [[carotid sinus]]es.<ref name=":2" />
* various other inputs from the [[hypothalamus]], [[thalamus]], and [[cerebral cortex]].<ref name=":1" />

The cardiovascular centre affects changes to the heart rate by sending a [[nerve impulse]] to the [[cardiac pacemaker]] via two sets of nerves:
* [[sympathetic nervous system|sympathetic]] fibres, part of the autonomic nervous system, to make heart rate faster.
* the [[vagus nerve]], part of the parasympathetic branch of the [[autonomic nervous system]], to lower heart rate.

The cardiovascular centre also increases the [[stroke volume]] of the heart (that is, the amount of blood it pumps). These two changes help to regulate the [[cardiac output]], so that a sufficient amount of blood reaches [[Tissue (biology)|tissues]]. This function is so significant to normal functioning of the [[circulatory system]] that the cardiovascular centre is considered a vital centre of the medulla oblongata.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

[[Hormones]] like [[epinephrine]] and [[norepinephrine]] can affect the cardiovascular centre and cause it to increase the rate of impulses sent to the [[sinoatrial node]], resulting in faster and stronger [[cardiac muscle]] contraction. This increases [[heart rate]].

== Clinical significance ==
Many [[Anesthetic|anaesthetics]] depress the activity of the cardiovascular center.<ref name=":4">{{Citation|last=Obembe|first=Samuel B.|title=2 - Common Psychoactive Drugs|date=2012-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012398518700002X|work=Practical Skills and Clinical Management of Alcoholism & Drug Addiction|pages=11–32|editor-last=Obembe|editor-first=Samuel B.|place=Oxford|publisher=Elsevier|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-398518-7.00002-x|isbn=978-0-12-398518-7|access-date=2020-11-30|url-access=subscription}}</ref> [[Phencyclidine]] may be a useful anaesthetic because it does not impact the cardiovascular center.<ref name=":4" /> This also contrasts phencyclidine from many other [[Recreational drug use|recreational drugs]].<ref name=":4" />

== See also ==
* [[Vasomotor center]]

== References ==
<references />
{{Cardiovascular physiology}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cardiovascular Centre}}
[[Category:Medulla oblongata]]
[[Category:Cardiovascular physiology]]