Czermak's vagus pressure

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Czermak found that mechanical pressure on a spot of the carotid triangle in the neck produced lowering of the heart rate and subsequent loss of consciousness.

Description

Czermak found that mechanical pressure on a spot of the carotid triangle in the neck produced lowering of the heart rate and subsequent loss of consciousness. Czermak interpreted this as an effect of the mechanical stimulation of the vagus nerve, but it later has been shown to originate from the carotid baroreceptors.

Bibliography

  • J. N. Czermak:
    Über mechanische Vagusreizung beim Menschen.
    Jenaische Zeitschrift für Medicin und Naturwissenschaft, Leipzig, 1865-66, 2: 384-386.
  • H. E. Hering:
    Der Karotisdruckversuch.
    Münchener medizinische Wochenschrift, 1923, 70: 1287-1290.

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