EFFECT OF AIRWAY SURFACE LIQUID COMPOSITION ON LARYNGEAL MUSCLE ACTIVATION

The effects of aerosolized distilled water and isosmolal dextrose in t he isolated larynx on laryngeal muscle activity were studied in eight anesthetized dogs. Water aerosol was associated with an increase in pe ak posterior cricoarytenoid activity but no change in thyroarytenoid a ctivity. Saline or isosmolal dextrose aerosols did not have any effect on the activity of tither muscle. The reflex increase in posterior cr icoarytenoid activity due to laryngeal negative pressure was enhanced when the negative pressure challenge was repeated following distilled water aerosol. The results suggest that alteration in laryngeal surfac e liquid composition modifies the response of pressure-responsive lary ngeal receptors and, thereby, the reflex activation of airway patency maintaining muscles.