Respiratory Control

•The rate of respiration is primarily
controlled within the medulla and
pons of the brainstem.

•The medulla contains 2
respiratory control centers:
•The ventral respiratory group (VRG)
which controls neurons for quiet,
regular breathing.

•The dorsal respiratory group (DRG)
which collects sensory information
from various body receptors and passes
information to the VRG.

•The ponsrespiratorycenters
modify the timing and smooth
control of breathing by
communicating with the VRG.

•The respiratory rate can change based on
several factors:

1. Physical Factors- talking, coughing,
   exercising, or body temperature. Lungs have stretch receptors to prevent overinflation.

2. Conscious Control- voluntary breathing

•Voluntary breathing has limits. The brainstem will ignore conscious control if oxygen or carbon
dioxide is too extreme.

3. Emotional Factors- Gasping when scared,
   rapid breathing from stress, etc.3

4.Chemical factors- the level of oxygen and
carbon dioxide in the blood

•These are the most important.

•Although cells require oxygen for survival, the amount
of CO2 is actually the most important stimulus for
breathing.

Impulses sent to

respiratory centers in

medulla

pH change in blood

Increase or decrease
in CO2 concentration

Increased CO2 results in high levels of carbonic acid, decreasing the pH of the blood

Recognized by

chemoreceptors in aorta &

common carotid artery

Increase or decrease
in O2 concentration

•Respiratory rate and depth is controlled by the medulla and the pons. They regulate
respiration by physical and
emotional factors, conscious control and the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

© Suburban Science 2019