Respiratory Control System

Central Controller
Brainstem: Pons, Medulla and other parts
of the brain

Inp
ut

Outpu
t

Sensors

Effectors

Chemoreceptors,
Lungs and other
receptors

Respiratory
Muscles

Regulation of Breathing in the CNS

VOLUNTARY SYSTEM/CONTROL

Located in the cerebral cortex

Sends impulses to the respiratory motor
neurons via the cortico spinal tracts

AUTOMATIC SYSTEM/CONTROL

Located in the pons and medulla

Motor outflow from this system to the
respiratory motor neurons located in the
lateral and ventral portions of the spinal
cord

CENTRAL CONTROLLER
AUTOMATIC CONTROL
MEDULLARY RESPIRATORY
CENTER
Located in the Reticular
Formation of the Medulla
Dorsal
Respiratory
Group (DRG)

Ventral
Respiratory
Group (VRG)

PONTINE RESPIRATORY CENTER

VOLUNTARY CONTROL
CEREBRAL CORTEX

Dorsal Respiratory Group (DRG)/Inspiratory Center

Group of Cells located in the Dorsal region of Medulla,
primarily responsible for inspiration and generates the
basic rhythm for breathing.
Input to the dorsal respiratory group comes from the
vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves. The vagus nerve
relays information from peripheral chemoreceptors
and mechanoreceptors in the lung. The
glossopharyngeal nerve relays information from
peripheral chemoreceptors.
Output from the dorsal respiratory group travels, via
the phrenic nerve, to the diaphragm.
Contains Inspiratory neurons that innervates the
Diaphragm and External Intercostals via the phrenic
nerve. These neurons are discharged during
inspiration and stop discharging during expiration
(Respiratory Rhythm generator)
Generates Inspiratory Ramp Signal

Inspiratory Ramp Signal

A signal generated by the DRG
Transmitted to the inspiratory muscles
(diaphragm)
It initiates inspiration with a weak burst of
action potentials that gradually increase in
amplitude, then ceases for the next 3 seconds
until a new cycle begins
ramp signal causes a steady increase in
the volume of the lungs during inspiration,
rather than inspiratory gasps
Controls:
1) The rate of increase of the ramp signal
2) The limiting point at which the ramp
suddenly ceases

Ventral Respiratory Group (VRG)

Anterolateral to DRG
Do not appear to participate in the basic
rhythmical oscillation
Increased respiratory drive
Both inspiration and expiration (abdominal
muscles)
Inactive during normal quiet respiration
Activated during heavy breathing; e.g. exercise
During such conditions, the increased activity
of inspiratory neurons activates the VRG
In turn, the activated VRG discharge:
- inhibits inspiratory group
- stimulates the muscles of expiration; internal
intercostals (T6-L3), abdominal recti (T4-L3)

CENTRAL CONTROLLER
AUTOMATIC CONTROL
MEDULLARY RESPIRATORY
CENTER
Located in the Reticular
Formation of the Medulla
Dorsal
Respiratory
Group (DRG)

Ventral
Respiratory
Group (VRG)

PONTINE RESPIRATORY CENTER

Apneustic Center Pneumotaxic

Located in
Center
Lower Pons
Located in
Upper Pons

VOLUNTARY CONTROL
CEREBRAL CORTEX

Apneustic Center

Pneumotaxic Center

CENTRAL CONTROLLER
AUTOMATIC CONTROL
MEDULLARY RESPIRATORY
CENTER
Located in the Reticular
Formation of the Medulla
Dorsal
Respiratory
Group (DRG)

Ventral
Respiratory
Group (VRG)

VOLUNTARY CONTROL

PONTINE RESPIRATORY CENTER

Apneustic Center Pneumotaxic

Located in
Center
Lower Pons
Located in
Upper Pons

CEREBRAL CORTEX

Can override the function of the

Brainstem within limits (during
hypoventilation and
hyperventilation)

EFFECTORS
MUSCLE OF
RESPIRATION:
o Diaphragm
o Intercostal Muscles
o Abdominal Muscles
o Accessory Muscles
(e.g.
Sternocleidomastoid
s)

CENTRAL
CHEMORECEPTORS

SENSORS
PERIPHERAL
CHEMORECEPTORS

LUNG AND OTHER

RECEPTORS
Lung Receptors:
Pulmonary Stretch
Receptors
Irritant Receptors
J. Receptors
Others (Outside the Lungs)
Nose and Upper Airway
Receptors
Joint and Muscle
Receptors
Gamma System
Arterial Baroreceptors
Pain and Temperature

CENTRAL
CHEMORECEPTORS
Located near the Ventral
surface of the Medulla (in
the vicinity of the exit of
9th and 10th nerves)
Responds to changes in
pH of the ECF/CSF when
CO2 diffuses out of
cerebral capillaries

SENSORS
PERIPHERAL
CHEMORECEPTORS

LUNG AND OTHER

RECEPTORS
Lung Receptors:
Pulmonary Stretch
Receptors
Irritant Receptors
J. Receptors
Others (Outside the Lungs)
Nose and Upper Airway
Receptors
Joint and Muscle
Receptors
Gamma System
Arterial Baroreceptors
Pain and Temperature

Central Chemoreceptors

CENTRAL
CHEMORECEPTORS
Located near the Ventral
surface of the Medulla (in
the vicinity of the exit of
9th and 10th nerves)
Responds to changes in
pH of the ECF/CSF when
CO2 diffuses out of
cerebral capillaries

SENSORS
PERIPHERAL
CHEMORECEPTORS

Located in the Carotid

and Aortic bodies
Responds to decreased
arterial PO2, Increased
PCO2 and H+
Responds rapidly

LUNG AND OTHER

RECEPTORS
Lung Receptors:
Pulmonary Stretch
Receptors
Irritant Receptors
J. Receptors
Others (Outside the Lungs)
Nose and Upper Airway
Receptors
Joint and Muscle
Receptors
Gamma System
Arterial Baroreceptors
Pain and Temperature

Peripheral Chemoreceptors

Pertinent Labs:
ABG

CBC

pH

7.32

Hgb

139

pO2

70

Hct

0.42

pCO2

55

WBC

12

HCO3

29.7

Seg

0.97

BE

3.4

Lymph

0.16

O2 sat

90%

PC

263

Central Chemoreceptors
Peripheral Chemoreceptors