The regulation of respiration ensures that the body maintains balanced levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
This process is controlled by a combination of neural and chemical factors, primarily involving the medulla oblongata and pons in the brainstem.
Main Components Involved in the Regulation of Respiration:
1. Medullary respiratory center:
Location: Medulla oblongata
Function: Controls the basic rhythm of respiration through two groups:
Dorsal Respiratory Group (DRG): Primarily responsible for inspiration.
Ventral Respiratory Group (VRG): Involved in both inspiration and expiration, especially during forceful breathing.
2. Apneustic and pneumotaxic centers:
Location: Pons
Function: Modulate the activity of the medullary center to fine-tune the rate and depth of breathing:
Apneustic Center: Promotes deep, prolonged inhalation.
Pneumotaxic Center: Inhibits the apneustic center to regulate the breathing rate and prevent over-inflation of the lungs.
3. Chemoreceptors:
Location: Central chemoreceptors in the brainstem and peripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies.
Function: Monitor levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen ions (pH) in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid, adjusting the respiratory rate and depth accordingly.
4. Stretch receptors:
Location: In the airways and visceral pleura.
Function: Prevent over-inflation of the lungs by signaling the Hering-Breuer reflex, which inhibits inspiration when the lungs are overstretched.
5. Higher brain centers:
Location: Cerebral cortex.
Function: Allows for voluntary control of respiration, such as during speech, singing, or breath-holding.