[A brief history of the baroreceptor reflex: from Claude Bernard to Arthur C. Guyton. Illustrated with some classical experiments].

The baroreceptor reflex is poorly known by most physicians even though is fundamental in stabilizing the blood pressure on a beat to beat basis and is crucial for survival. Its fascinating history is briefly reviewed in this article. In 1852 Claude Bernard discovered that the sympathetic nerves of the neck innervate the blood vessels of the skin of the rabbit.