Terms you need to know about central control of blood pressure

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone pathway or RAA pathway	The pathway outlined below, which begins with the kidneys detecting low blood flow and ends with aldosterone’s causing the kidneys to reabsorb Na+ and water into the blood and bring blood volume back up to normal.
Renin	The compound secreted by the kidneys when they don’t get enough blood
Angiotensinogen	Means ‘angiotensin maker’ – a compound already in the bloodstream, which reacts with renin to form angiotensin I
Angiotensin I	Means ‘blood vessel tightener’. A weak vasoconstrictor.
Angiotensin converting enzyme or ACE	An enzyme found in the lungs. Converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. This enzyme is targeted by some anti-hypertensive drugs, the ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin II	A stronger vasoconstrictor. It also stimulates the production of Aldosterone
Adrenal cortex	The outer layer of the adrenal gland
Aldosterone	A hormone produced by the adrenal cortex when it detects angiotensin II in the blood. This hormone causes the kidneys to turn on their Na+/K+ ATPase, and they then pump 3 Na+ from the urine into the blood and 2K+ from the blood into the urine. Water follows the majority of ions, so water also enters the blood, raising the blood volume.
Vasomotor center	A group of neurons in the medulla oblongata that causes blood vessels to constrict or dilate in order to keep blood pressure stable
Antidiuretic hormone or ADH	Means ‘against urination.’ A hormone secreted when blood pressure is low. It causes the kidneys to reabsorb water into the blood, increasing blood volume. This reduces the production of urine.
baroreceptors	Cells in the carotids and aorta which measure stretch in the vessel walls to tell how high the blood pressure is.
Atrial natriuretic hormone (or factor or peptide)	Secreted by the atria when they are over-stretched. It causes the person to lose Na+ and water in the urine, reducing blood volume
B-type natriuretic hormone (or factor or peptide)	Secreted by the ventricles when they are over-stretched. It causes the person to lose Na+ and water in the urine, reducing blood volume