Exam #3: Control of Breathing Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Exam #3: Control of Breathing Deck (34)
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1
Q

How is spontaneous respiration produced?

A

Rhythmic discharge of motor neurons that innervate respiratory muscles

2
Q

What controls the discharge of the motor neurons responsible for respiration?

A

Chemical control:

  • PCO2
  • PO2
  • H+
3
Q

Where is the automatic control of respiration located?

A

Pons & medulla

4
Q

Where is the voluntary control system of respiration located?

A

Cerebral cortex

5
Q

What are the key controlling factors of respiration?

A

Increased PCO2*
Decreased PO2
Decreased pH

6
Q

Draw the pathways that control breathing.

A

N/A

7
Q

What are the non-chemical influences that control breathing?

A

Chest wall
Diaphragm
Conducting airway

Changes here sends signals directly to the spinal cord to alter breathing e.g. during exercise

8
Q

What is the most important controlling factor of respiration?

A

Changes in PCO2

*Stronger effect than changes in pH

9
Q

Can the partial pressure of oxygen change the respiratory rate independent of CO2?

A

Yes

10
Q

In what range is the chemoreceptor system the most sensitive to changes in PO2?

A

30 - 60 mmHg

11
Q

How does the effect of PCO2 & H+ compare in the control of respiration?

A

Changes in blood H+ have considerably less effect in stimulating chemosensitive neurons

12
Q

Where are the peripheral chemoreceptors that detect changes in PO2?

A

Aorctic bodies
Carotid bodies

*Note that these respond to changes in CO2 & H+ to a lesser extent than oxygen

13
Q

Where are the central respiratory chemoreceptors located?

A

In a “chemosensitive area” that lies just beneath the medulla

3 regions:

1) Rostral (Mitchell)
2) Intermediate (Schlafke)
3) Caudal (Loeschcke)

14
Q

Where is the sensory integration center for impulses from peripheral chemoreceptors, baroreceptors, & other pulmonary receptors.

A

NTS

15
Q

What are the four nuclei of the respiratory center?

A

1) DRG= Dorsal Respiratory Group
2) VRG= Ventral Respiratory Group
3) PRG= Pneumotaxic Respiratory Group
4) Pre-Botzinger complex

16
Q

What is the function of the Pre-Botzinger complex?

A

Rhythmic respiration

*Note this is like the SA node in the heart.

17
Q

Where do signals from the Pre-Botzinger complex go?

A

DRG

18
Q

What is the function of the DRG?

A

Sends out repetitive bursts of inspiratory neuronal action potentials

19
Q

What is the function of the PRG?

A
  • Transmits signals to the inspiratory area (DRG)
  • Switches off the DRG

*Primarily controls rate & depth of breathing

20
Q

What is the function of the VRG?

A
  • Inactive during normal respiration
  • Increased stimulation results in spill over from the DRG
  • DRG spillover recruits the VRG for active breathing (both inspiration & expiration)
21
Q

How is respiration regulated during exercise?

A

Voluntary component added to the automatic component

22
Q

What are irritant receptors?

A

Receptors that are stimulated to edema, toxic substances, smoking…etc.

23
Q

What is the function of irritant receptors?

A

Causing coughing & sneezing

Note that these may also cause bronchial constriction in asthma & emphysema

24
Q

What are J receptors?

A

Sensory nerves located in the alveolar walls, in juxtaposition to the pulmonary capillaries

25
Q

What stimulates J receptors?

A
  • Pulmonary capillary engorgement or pulmonary edema

- Gives a feeling of dyspnea

26
Q

What is the effect of brain edema on respiration? How is it treated?

A
  • Depressed respiration

- Hypertonic solutions e.g. mannitol

27
Q

What reflex is initiated by the stretch receptors?

A

Hering-Breuer inflation reflex

  • Located in the muscular portions of the bronchi & bronchioles
  • Transmits signals to the DRG when the lungs are overstretched
  • Switch off inspiratory ramp & increases the rate of respiration

Note that this normally does not happen until VT= 3x normal

28
Q

What is the Hering-Breuer inflation reflex?

A
  • Switch off inspiratory ramp in cases of overstretching of the lung parenchyma
29
Q

What are Kussmaul’s respiration’s an indication of?

A

Metabolic acidosis

  • Relentless, rapid, & deep breathing
30
Q

What are Cheyne-Stoke’s respiration’s an indication of?

A

Stroke
Encephalopathies
Heart Failure

Ventilatory oscillations with long cycle times

31
Q

What is Biot’s breathing an indication of?

A

Medullary trauma
Stroke

  • Quick, shallow inspirations followed by regular or irregular periods of apnea
32
Q

Draw the diagrams of Kussmaul’s, Cheyne-Stokes, & Biot breathing patterns.

A

N/A

33
Q

Describe the reciprocal innervation of the respiratory muscles.

A

Active inspiratory muscles= inhibited expiratory muscles & vice versa

34
Q

What do the central chemoreceptors respond most to? What do the peripheral chemoreceptors respond most to?

A

PCO2 & PO2 respectively

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