Lecture 17 Flashcards
Role of the Respiratory Center:
Respiration controlled by neurons in pons & medulla
3 groups of neurons
medullary rhythmicity
pneumotaxic
apneustic centers
Medullary Rhythmicity Area:
Controls basic rhythm of respiration
Inspiration for 2 seconds, expiration for 3
Autorhythmic cells active for
2 seconds then inactive
Expiratory neurons:
inactive during most quiet breathing only active during high ventilation rates
Pneumotaxic Area
constant inhibitory impulses to inspiratory area
Apneustic Area
stimulatory signals to inspiratory area to prolong inspiration
Regulation of Respiratory Center: Cortical Influences
- voluntarily alter breathing patterns
- limitations are buildup of CO2 & H+ in blood
- inspiratory center is stimulated by increase in either
Central chemoreceptors in medulla:
- respond to changes in H+ or pCO2
- hypercapnia = slight increase in pCO2 is noticed
Peripheral chemoreceptors:
- respond to changes in H+ , pO2 or PCO2
- aortic body—in wall of aorta
- carotid bodies–in walls of common carotid arteries
hypoxia =
deficiency of O2
hypoxic hypoxia–
low pO2 in arterial blood
anemic hypoxia–
too little functioning Hb
ischemic hypoxia–
blood flow is too low
histotoxic hypoxia–
cyanide poisoning
Quick breathing rate response to exercise:
input from proprioceptors
Inflation Reflex (Hering-Breurer reflex):
big deep breath stretching receptors produces urge to exhale
Factors increasing breathing rate:
emotional anxiety, temperature increase or drop in blood pressure
Apnea or cessation of breathing:
by sudden plunge into cold water, sudden pain, irritation of airway
Smoker is easily “winded” with moderate exercise:
- nicotine constricts terminal bronchioles
- carbon monoxide in smoke binds to hemoglobin
- irritants in smoke cause excess mucus secretion
- irritants inhibit movements of cilia
- in time destroys elastic fibers in lungs & leads to emphysema
Asthma:
is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness
Influenza:
viral infection that affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchi and, occasionally, lungs. High fever, aching muscles, headache and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat and rhinitis
GI tract:
mouth pharynx and esophagus stomach small and large intestine rectum and anus
Mouth function:
bite, chew, swallow