The Hering-Breuer reflex is a protective mechanism that regulates breathing and prevents overinflation of the lungs. It is named after the physiologists Josef Breuer and Eduard Hering and is most active in newborns and infants and becomes less prominent as we age. It helps prevent excessive lung inflation during normal breathing, ensuring that the respiratory system operates within safe limits. The reflex is primarily triggered by stretch receptors called pulmonary stretch receptors (PSRs) located in the smooth muscles of the airways and bronchioles. However, during forced or deep breathing, this reflex is overridden to allow for greater lung expansion.
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