3. Control of Ventilation Flashcards
How are skeletal muscles stimulated during inspiration ?
Phrenic nerve to diaphragmIntercostal nerves to external intercostal muscles Entirely dependant on signalling from the brain
What part of the brain is responsible for ventilatory control ?
Ill defined centres located in the pons and medulla (respiratory centres)
What is the activity of respiratory centres ?
Fire repetitive short bursts of action potentials in DRG which travel to the inspiratory musclesThis sets an autonomic rhythm of breathingThey adjust their rhythm according to the stimuli
What modulates rhythm of respiratory centres ?
Emotion (via limbic system in brain)Voluntary over-ride (via higher centres in brain)Mechano-sensory input from thorax ( e.g. stretch reflex)Chemical composition of blood (PCO2, PO2, pH)- detected by chemoreceptors
What does DRG stand for ?
Dorsal respiratory group of neurons
What does VRG stand for ?
Ventral respiratory group of neurons
What does PRG stand for ?
Pontine respiratory group - pneumotaxic area
What does NTS stand for ?
Nucleus tractis soolitaris
Which respiratory centre is located in the pons ?
PRG
What does VRG do ?
Maintains basal tone
What does VRG supply ?
TonguePharynxLarynxExpiratory muscles
What does DRG supply ?
Inspiratory muscles, via phrenic and intercostal nerves
What is the most significant input ?
Chemoreceptor input
Where are the central chemoreceptors located ?
Medulla
What chemical change does the medulla detect from the CSF ?
Respond directly to H+, directly reflects PCO2Primary ventilatory drive
Where are the peripheral chemoreceptors located ?
Carotid and aortic bodies
What chemical change do the peripheral chemoreceptors detect ?
Primarily to plasma [H+] and PO2 (not oxygen content) (less so to PCO2)Second ventilatory drive
What do central chemoreceptors in medulla cause ?
Reflex stimulation of ventilation following rose in [H+] ( driven by hypercapnea)
What is hypercapnea ?
Raised PCO2
What change in blood PCO2 does hyperventilation cause ?
Reduces PCO2 - reduces CSF H+Inhibits ventilation
does the medulla respond to direct changes in the plasma [H+] ?
No