Respiratory Control Flashcards
Respiratory control centers in brain (5)
DRG CRG Pontine respiratory group Botzinger group Pre-Botzinger group
Pre-Botzinger group location and function:
Medulla
Generates core rhythm
Pontine respiratory group location and function:
Pons
Modifies inspiratory timing (increased activity turns off inspiration).
Controls length of inspiration during normal breathing.
Dorsal respiratory group location and function:
Medulla
Depth of breathing (Vt)
95% premotor to phrenic n.
Ventral respiratory group location and function:
Medulla
Involved in inspiration and expiration
Contributes to depth
Apneusis
Maintained inspiration.
Pontine damage.
Increased CO2, decreased O2. Death if not supported.
Apnea
Absence of inspiration.
Medulla/spinal damage.
Increased CO2, decreased O2. Death if not supported.
Chemoreceptor definition
A neuron that is sensitive to specific chemicals. In the respiratory system, the chemicals are CO2, O2, and H+.
Affects of the chemoreceptors on firing:
Increased CO2: increased firing
Increased O2: decreased firing
Increased H+: increased firing
Location, sensitivity, influence, and effects of central chemoreceptors
Ventral surface of medulla.
Sensitive (indirectly) to CO2 in blood (pH).
Influences “respiratory drive” = regular breathing
Increases RR/depth in response to hypercapnea.
Mechanism of indirect CO2 sensitivity
CO2 crosses BB barrier.
Undergoes the carbonic anhydrase reaction and affects the chemoreceptors
Location, sensitivity, influence, and effects of peripheral chemoreceptors
Aortic arch and corotid body (dopamine involved somehow)
O2, CO2, H+ (pH)
Acute changes in blood gases (works quicker than central)
Increases RR/depth in response to hypercapnea, hypoxia, or acidosis.
Slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors
Location, stimulant, effect, role
Airways
Stretch of lung tissue
Inhibit inspiration/promote expiration
Every breath in infants. In exercise in adults.
Rapidly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors
Location, stimulant, effect, role
Airways
Irritants (foreign bodies in airways), stretch.
Cough to clear airways.
Protective (not used every breathe)
J receptors
Location, stimulant, effect, role
Near capillaries in alveoli
Pulmonary edema
Cough, tachypnea
Protective (not used every breathe)