Atrial volume receptors

Atrial volume receptors are low pressure baroreceptors that are found in the atria of the heart.

When these receptors detect a pressure drop in the atria, which indicates a decrease in blood volume, a signal is transmitted from the receptors to the hypothalamus in the brain. The hypothalamus, in turn, increases the production of vasopressin (ADH, AVP, or arginine vasopressin).^[1] Furthermore, a low volume also stimulates sympathetic nerves, which stimulate renin release from the juxtaglomerular cells of the afferent arteriole in the kidneys. Renin leads to the activation of angiotensin II, a potent agent in increasing blood pressure.^[2]

See also

• Atrial natriuretic peptide
• Angiotensin

References

1. ^ Sherwood, Lauralee (2008). Human physiology: From cells to systems (7th revised ed.). Cengage Learning. p. 567. ISBN 9780495391845. http://books.google.com/books?id=gOmpysGBC90C&lpg=PT595&ots=POQadZO5Ye&dq=%2B%22atrial%20volume%20receptors%22%20%2Bvasopressin&pg=PT595#v=onepage&q=+%22atrial%20volume%20receptors%22%20+vasopressin&f=false. 
2. ^ Vallotton, M.B. (February 1987). "The renin-angiotensin system". Trends in Pharmacological Sciences 8 (2): 69-74. doi:10.1016/0165-6147(87)90013-7. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T1K-47725XT-30&_user=128860&_coverDate=02%2F28%2F1987&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=gateway&_origin=gateway&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1754741239&_rerunOrigin=scholar.google&_acct=C000010638&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=128860&md5=8490920b42ccd137464c3e8b6f33f9d8&searchtype=a. (subscription required)