Cortical Control of Respiration

Cortical Control of Respiration:

This topic relates the fact that we can voluntary take control of our breathing

Cortical control of respiration refers to the fact that the cortex can override the brain stem and induce voluntary control of breathing, within limits. For example, these limit is usually involve chemoreceptors that detects rising C02 levels and lower O2 levels.

We can consciously alter our breathing, but if we hold our breath too long, CO2 (& thus H+) builds up and stimulates breathing automatically. And conversely, if H+ level ,low ventilation is inhibited. The chemoreceptors responsible for the detection, of essentially change in pH, is in the brain near the ventral surface of medulla.

It is important to understand aspect of respiratory control, as it has direct bearing on what we are studying now: the regulation of gas exchange

--Hoa T. Le

Work Hard. Have Fun. FIGHT ON!!!

A sample problem:

1. It is an observable fact that voluntary control of breathing is possible, what part of the brain would be responsible for it?

2. What are some of the limits of voluntary control of breathing?

Answers:

1. Cerebral cortex.

2. When [H+] or [CO2] rises to high or too low.

For more information on this topic, please refer to West , page 118.

Also, check out the following links that may be helpful:

• Loyola: General Neural Organization
• And, as always, if you have questions, or if you can suggest a helpful link, please e-mail me.

No!
Please don't make me go to any of those pages!
I want to go somewhere completely different!

This page was written by Hoa Le , a student in this course.

BME 403 Pages maintained by the T.A., Douglas Miles.