Weber's Experimental Study
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Weber's experimental study refers to experiments conducted by the Weber brothers in 1845 that demonstrated the vagus nerve's inhibitory effect on heart function. They showed that the vagus nerve contains both centrifugal and centripetal fibers, with the heart's slowing occurring reflexively through centers in the medulla oblongata.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Weber's Experimental Study, experiments by the Weber brothers demonstrating that the vagus nerve exerts a delaying effect on heart function. In 1845, the Weber brothers conducted experiments with irritation of the vagus nerve on the neck of animals, during which irritation of the intact nerve and the peripheral end of the severed nerve resulted in slowing of the heartbeat to complete stoppage in diastole (the so-called negative chronotropic effect). This shows that the vagus nerve contains centrifugal fibers, but if irritation is applied to the central end of the severed nerve, and the vagus nerve on the other side remains intact, slowing of the heartbeat also occurs; thus, the vagus nerve also contains centripetal fibers, and the delay occurs reflexively through centers in the medulla oblongata.
Related articles
Cite this page
“Weber's Experimental Study.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/webers-experimental-study/