Neural control of respiration Flashcards
why control respiration?
1) To regulate & respond to O2 demands
* Exercise
* Resting
2) To maintain constant blood levels
* O2
* CO2
whats the respiratory system composed of?
composed of groups of neurons located in
the medulla oblongata and pons
the two areas that control respiration?
Pons
Medulla
DRG causes
inspiration
VRG causes
expiration
PRG causes
controls rate and depth of breathing.
VRG causes phrenic and intercostal nerves cause….
…contraction and relaxation of diaphragm and external intercostal muscles.
the vrg is relatively inactive during quiet breathing because…
… becauses expiration is usually a passive process.
what does the drg provide?
- Provides rhythm
- Primarily responsible
for inspiration
Whats the function of the pontine respiratory centre (PCR)?
Interact with VRG to
modify & fine-tune
breathing rhythms
generated during
vocalisation, sleep &
exercise
respiration is a […] function
respiration is a motor function
Respiration is a motor function that’s
modified by …
… sensory processes and
emotional state
breathing is…
… automatic and subconscious (continues during sleep and unconsciousness).
Unless there are disorders.
Sleep apnea symptoms?
Loud snoring, gasping or choking sounds,
headaches, dry mouth, restless sleep,
irritability, reduced focus
the different types of sleep apnea?
obstructive sleep apnea
central sleep apnea
mixed/complex sleep apnea
when does central sleep apnea occur?
occurs when the brains area that controls the breathing does not function correctly during sleep.
what is obstructive sleep apnea caused by?
caused by blockages in the upper airway that restrict oxygen to the body.
what is the respiratory control system controlled by?
controlled by the autonomic nervous system
what are the three parts of the respiratory control system?
- sensory input system
- central controller
- muscular effector system.
Respiratory control system works by:
- Monitoring O2 and CO2 levels in blood
- Adjusting breathing
* ↑CO2 levels →respiratory center in the medulla sends signals to respiratory muscles to increase breathing rate and lung volume. - Regulating acid-base balance
Excess CO2 or H⁺ in the blood act directly on…
…the respiratory center
Blood CO2 have more potent effect in …
…stimulating chemosensitive neurons than blood hydrogen ions.
Blood CO2 have more potent effect in stimulating chemosensitive neurons than blood hydrogen ions.
why?
CO2 can diffuse across the blood-brain barrier
whereas H+ cannot
Once in the CSF, CO2
reacts with…
water to form carbonic acid.
The carbonic acid is converted to…
…H+ ions and
bicarbonate ions
The hydrogen ions (H+), then stimulates…
…the central chemoreceptors
the chemoreceptors are in the…
… carotid bodies and aortic bodies.
what are chemoreceptors important for?
important for detecting changes in oxygen in the blood.
what do chemoreceptors transmit?
They transmit nervous signals to the respiratory center in the brain to help
regulate respiratory activity.
