Respiratory Physiology- Control Of Respiration

Question 1

What is the Pre-Botzinger complex

Answer 1

Generates breathing rhythm
A network of neurons which displays pacemaker activity
Found in upper end of medullary resp centre

Question 2

How Pre-botzinger Complex works

Answer 2

Excites dorsal resp group neurones (inspiratory)
The bursts in which they fire leads to contraction of inspiratory muscles
When firing stops, passive expiration occurs

Question 3

Active expiration during hyperventilation

Answer 3

Increased firing of dorsal resp neurones leads to excitation of ventral respiratory group neurones, exciting internal intercostals, abdominals etc. Causing forceful expiration

Question 4

How is inspiration terminated?

Answer 4

Pneumotaxic Centre is stimulated by firing of dorsal respiratory neurones, inhibiting inspiration

Question 5

Apneusis

Answer 5

Prolonged inspiratory gasps with brief expiration

Occurs without PC

Question 6

How is rhythm modified

Answer 6

By inputs from pons

Question 7

Stimuli from these areas influenced the resp centres

Answer 7

Higher brain centres
Stretch receptors
Juxtapulmonary receptors
Joint receptors 
Baroreceptors 
Central chemoreceptors 
Peripheral chemoreceptors