Respiratory Center

Question 1

where is the control center for breathing located?

Answer 1

• Located in brain stem

Question 2

Which two components is the respiratory center made of?

Answer 2

• the medullary rthmicity area
• the pneumotaxic area (pontine respiratory group)

Question 3

describe the pathway that the respiratory neurons travel

Answer 3

origin in brain stem -> respiratory neuron axon travels down spinal cord -> synapse onto motor neurons (at the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of spinal cord) -> motor neurons innervate the muscle that control inspiration and expiration (intercostal muscles and diaphragm)

Question 4

Medullary rhythmicity area

Answer 4

• contains dorsal and ventral respiratory group extending length of medulla oblongata
  -Dorsal region controls the rhythm of breathing, sends bursts of impulses signaling diaphragm to contract
• Ventral region generates impulses for forceful breathing

Question 5

Pneumotaxic area (Pontine respiratory group/PRG)

Answer 5

• Is above the medullary rhythmicity area
• transmits impulses to dorsal group, helps to control breathing rate
• tells the dorsal group to speed up when we need to breathe faster
• When we need longer breaths the bursts of activity are elongated.
  -all the info our body uses to help breathing happens in PRG