| baroreceptor nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A nerve composed of afferent fibres the endings of which are sensitive to increases in mechanical pressure; the term specifically refers to sensory nerve's innervating the walls of hollow organs. Synonym: baroreceptor nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| baroreflex | A negative feedback system which buffers short-term changes in blood pressure. Increased pressure stretches blood vessels which activates pressoreceptors (baroreceptors) in the vessel walls. The net response of the central nervous system is a reduction of central sympathetic outflow. This reduces blood pressure both by decreasing peripheral vascular resistance and by lowering cardiac output. Because the baroreceptors are tonically active, the baroreflex can compensate rapidly for both increases and decreases in blood pressure. (12 Dec 1998) |
| baroscope | <instrument> Any instrument showing the changes in the weight of the atmosphere; also, less appropriately, any instrument that indicates -or foreshadows changes of the weather, as a deep vial of liquid holding in suspension some substance which rises and falls with atmospheric changes. Origin: Gr. Weight + -scope: cf. F. Baroscope. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| baroscopical | Pertaining to, or determined by, the baroscope. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barosinusitis | Sinus troubles, particulaqrly with pain, due to changing atmospheric pressures, as when going up or down in a plane. Also called aerosinusitis or sinus barotrauma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| barostat | A pressure-regulating device or structure, such as the baroreceptors of the carotid sinus and aortic arch, when connected to effectors providing negative feedback. Origin: G., baros, weight, pressure, + statos, made to stand (05 Mar 2000) |
| barotaxis | Reaction of living tissue to changes in pressure. Synonym: barotropism. Origin: G. Baros, weight, + taxis, order (05 Mar 2000) |
| barotitis | Middle ear problems due to changing atmospheric pressures, as when a plane descends to land. The problems include ear pain, ringing, diminished hearing and, sometimes, dizziness. The word barotitis (pronounced bar-o-tit-is) is compounded from bar- as in barometer + otitis meaning inflammation of the ear. Alternate terms include aerotitis, aerotitis media, barotitis media, and otic barotrauma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| barotitis externa | This refers to the effect of pressure on the external ear canal. (27 Sep 1997) |
| barotitis media | This refers to the effect of pressure on the middle ear space (inner aspect of the ear drum). (27 Sep 1997) |
| barotolerant | A microorganism which grows best in environments with standard atmospheric pressure, but can also survive and grow in high pressure environments. (09 Oct 1997) |
| barotrauma | An injury that result as the result of rapid or extreme changes in pressure. (27 Sep 1997) |
| barotrauma, otic | See: Barotitis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| barotrauma, sinus | See: Barosinusitis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| barotropism | Synonym: barotaxis. Origin: G. Baros, weight, + trope, a turning (05 Mar 2000) |