In: Anatomy and Physiology
Which one of the two brainstem respiratory centers is extremely essential to respiration and why? What is the function of the other respiratory center?
Medullary respiratory Centre is one of the two brainstem respiratory Centre is extremely essential for respiration.
Medullary respiratory Centre function is to regulate the respiratory movements. It consists of 2 respiratory groups of neurons - dorsal and ventral group.
The dorsal group of neurons present in the nucleus of tracts solitarius .
The ventral group of neurons present in the nucleus ambiguous and nucleus retroambiguous.
Fall in partial pressure of oxygen or pH and increase in partial pressure of carbondioxide,stimulates the respiratory neurons in the medulla to increase the rate and depth of respiration. Body oxygen increases and carbondioxide is washed out.
The area in the medulla that is concerned with respiration has classically been called respiratory Centre.
Other respiratory Centre is pontine respiratory Centre present in the Pons.
The function of pontine respiratory Centre is to modify the output of the respiratory Centre in medulla.
Pneumotaxic Centre present in the upper Pons. The neurons in this area are active in respiration. It inhibits the neurons of lower pons, thus prevents apnea.
Apneustic centre present in the lower pons.This area is inhibited by vagus nerve and Pneumotaxic centre..