respiratory controls Flashcards
pneumotaxic centre role
inhibits inspiration, transition to expiration
receieves peripheral stimulus
has parabrachial nuclei
apneustic centre role
when pneumatic centre is damaged
triggers inspiration - prolonged inspiration (apeneutsic breathing)
receives peripheral stimulus, particularly from stretch receptors
what are the 2 functions of the dorsal respiratory group (DRG)?
receive information from peripheral receptors e.g.
- stretch receptors
- proprioceptors
- juxtacapillary receptors
- chemoreceptors (central and peripheral)
send signal down to trigger inspiration
what are the 4 peripheral receptors of respiratory mechanics?
- stretch receptors
- proprioceptors
- juxtacapillary receptors
- chemoreceptors (central and peripheral)
what is the relationship of the DRG and nucleus tractus solitarius?
close and intimate to Nucleus Tracts Solitarius (NTS) - part of DRG
what are the 4 main nuclei of the Ventral Respiratory Group?
prebotzinger complex
- pacemaker neurons spontaneously depolarised to trigger inspiration intrinsically
botzinger
- expiration
nucleo retroambiguus
- controls inspiration and expiration (sends both signal types)
nucleus ambiguus
- inspiration through controlling soft palate, uvula and larynx muscles
what is the function of the Ventral Respiratory Group?
both inspiratory and expiratory
what is eupnea?
normal quiet breathing
12-16 breaths/min
what is the function of central chemoreceptors?
sense changes in pH in the CSF and interstitial fluid in CVS
what do the central chemoreceptors respond to?
increase in CO2 and H2CO3 in the CSF and interstitial fluid of CVS
- lowered pH
hypocapnia
decreased PCO2 in blood
decreased H2CO3
increased pH
inhibits central chemoreceptor action
where do the DRG and VRG send inspiratory signals to?
send signal down spinal cord into ventral grey horn
let off axons onto specialised cell bodies of somatic motor neurons
- located in the anterior of the ventral grey horn
if actions potential increased - stimulation of internal intercostals and diaphragm increased
hypercapnia
increased PCO2 in blood
what does hypercapnia stimulate?
central chemoreceptors in brain stem when cross blood brain barrier
H+ cannot cross BBB as charged
CO2 can cross BBB
- combines with water in Cerebral Spinal Fluid
- makes carbonic acid H2CO3 which disscoates into proteins and bicarbonate
- lower pH so stimulating receptors
where are central chemoreceptors?
in brainstem
posterior to the DRG
how are central chemoreceptors in brainstem stimulated?
by increased PCO2 in blood
H+ cannot cross BBB as charged
CO2 can cross BBB
- combines with water in Cerebral Spinal Fluid
- makes carbonic acid H2CO3 which disscoates into proteins and bicarbonate
- lower pH so stimulating receptors
what do central chemoreceptors do when stimulated?
stimulate the pneumotaxic centre
- which sends signal to the DRG
or stimulate the DRG directly
the DRG will send out inspiratory signals and send signal to VRG to send out more inspiratory signals
means increased frequency of APs sent down spinal cord to intercostal and phrenic nerve
- more contractions
- increased ventilation as respiration rate and depth both increased
more gas exchange
- more CO2 exhaled, so PCO2 returns to normal
- less protons in interstitial fluid and CSF so less stimulation of central chemoreceptors, so controlling AP frequency
what happens when there is decreased PCO2 in blood?
hypocapnia
less carbonic acid and protons in blood
central chemorecptors less frequently stimulated
- DRG, pneumotaxic centra (and subsequently VRG) are less stimulated
- less impulses sent down spinal cord to phrenic and internal intercostals nerves
- less contraction so decreased respiration rate and depth
less gas exchange - less CO2 exhaled
- so PCO2 can build in blood back to normal
what is the most powerful respiratory stimulus?
PO2
if drops below 60mmHg (rare)
what are the peripheral chemoreceptors?
carotid bodies
aortic bodies
where are the carotid bodies
where common carotid arteries bifurcate (right and left sets)
where are the aortic bodies
on the aortic arch