Regulation of Respiration

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REGULATION OF

RESPIRATORN
Mechanism of Regulation of
respiration
• There are two major mechanisms
1. Nervous regulation of respiration
2. Chemical regulation of respiration
The Respiratory Centers

Involuntary respiration is controlled by the


respiratory centers of the upper brainstem
(sometimes termed the lower brain, along
with the cerebellum).
This region of the brain controls many
involuntary and metabolic functions besides
the respiratory system
Medulla

The medulla oblongata is the primary


respiratory control center.
Its main function is to send signals to the
muscles that control respiration to cause
breathing to occur.
There are two regions in the medulla that
control respiration:
• The ventral respiratory group stimulates expiratory
movements.
• The dorsal respiratory group stimulates inspiratory
movements.
The Pons

The pons is the other respiratory center and


is located underneath the medulla.
Its main function is to control the rate or
speed of involuntary respiration
It has two main functional regions that
perform this role:
1. The pneumotaxic area
2. The apneustic area
The apneustic center sends signals for
inspiration for long and deep breaths. It
controls the intensity of breathing and is
inhibited by the stretch receptors of the
pulmonary muscles at maximum depth of
inspiration, or by signals from the
pnuemotaxic center. It increases tidal volume.
The pnuemotaxic center sends signals to
inhibit inspiration that allows it to finely
control the respiratory rate. Its signals limit
the activity of the phrenic nerve and inhibits
the signals of the apneustic center. It
decreases tidal volume.
Cortex

The cerebral cortex of the brain controls


voluntary respiration.
Voluntary respiration is important for the
higher functions that involve air supply, such
as voice control or blowing out candles.
Nerves Used in Respiration

The phrenic nerves: The nerves that


stimulate the activity of the diaphragm.
The vagus nerve: Innervates the diaphragm
as well as movements in the larynx and
pharynx.
The posterior thoracic nerves: These nerves
stimulate the intercostal muscles located
around the pleura
Chemoreceptor Regulation of
Breathing
Chemoreceptors detect the levels of carbon
dioxide in the blood by monitoring the
concentrations of hydrogen ions in the blood
The main chemoreceptors involved in
respiratory feedback are:
 Central and peripheral chemoreceptors
Central chemoreceptors: These are located on
the ventrolateral surface of medulla oblongata
and detect changes in the pH of spinal fluid.
They can be desensitized over time from
chronic hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) and
increased carbon dioxide.
Peripheral chemoreceptors: These include the
aortic body, which detects changes in blood
oxygen and carbon dioxide, but not pH, and
the carotid body which detects all three. They
do not desensitize, and have less of an impact
on the respiratory rate compared to the
central chemoreceptors
When CO2 concentration in blood increases

Stimulates the chemoreceptors


Transmission of sensory impulses to respiratory centers

Activation of respiratory centers

Increases the activities of respiration

(rate and Depth) Increase alveolar ventilation

Expulsion of CO2 and decreases the level


of CO2 in blood
Concentration of oxygen In blood
When O2 concentration in blood decreases

Stimulates the peripheral chemoreceptors

Transmission of impulses to respiratory centers

Activation of respiratory centers

Increases the activities of respiration (rate and Depth)

Increase alveolar ventilation

Increases the uptake of O2

Thereby increases the level of O2 in blood


Normal Values
• Normal respiration: 12 – 16 breaths/min
• Normal Arterial blood gas values
– pH: 7.35 – 7.45
– Pa O2 : (80 to 100 mm Hg) and Sa O2 (95% to
98%)
– P CO2 : 35 – 45 mm Hg
– HCO3 : 22 – 27 mEq/L

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