Breathing Control

Question 1

What respiratory control centres of the brainstem control breathing?

Answer 1

• Inspiratory centre (medulla).
• Expiratory centre (medulla).
• Pneumotaxic centre (pons).
• Apneuristic centre (pons).

Question 2

What (3) factors control breathing?

Answer 2

• Cerebral cortex: Can exert voluntary control over breathing as well as centres involved in emotion and pain.
• Peripheral chemoreceptors (in vascular system) & central chemoreceptors (in brain): Detect changes to O2 and CO2.
• Stretch receptors (in lungs) & activity receptors (in muscles & joints).

Question 3

What are Pontine Centres?

Answer 3

Influence output from the medullary respiratory centres.

Question 4

What are Medullary Respiration Centres?

Answer 4

Provide output to respiratory muscles.