MEKANISME KONTROL

RESPIRASI
Overall view of the Control of Breathing:
Breathing Centers in the Brain
Regulation of
Breathing
pons
medulla
oblongata
phrenic

CO2 and H+ vagus

triggers breathing
reflex in medulla,
not presence of O2
 Overview (two main medullary groups):

1. DRG (dorsal respiratory group) lies in the dorsal portion of the medulla in the
nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS).
• The NTS is also the site of integration for the sensory inputs from the vagus
and glossopharyngeal nerves.
• Primarily concerned with inspiration.

2. VRG (ventral respiratory group) lies in the ventrolateral part of the medulla in
the nucleus retroambiguous.
• Neurons fire during both inspiration and expiration. Not much activity during
normal breathing. Increase respiratory drive and the VRG contributes rhythmic
activity to the respiratory controller.
 Higher Centers in the Pons:

Pneumotaxic center: located dorsally in the pons.

• Influences switching between inspiration and expiration.
Controls the offswitch.
• Strong activity: short breaths, Weak activity: long breaths
• When the pneumotaxic center is inactivated, inspiration is
prolonged (apneusis).

Apneustic Center: located in the lower part of the pons.

• Not sure of the function. Contributes when the vagal and
pneumotaxic centers have been severed.
• Sends signals to the DRG that prevent the off-switch for
inspiration-causes sustatined inspiration (apneusis)
• Probably works in conjunction with the pneumotaxic center
to control the depth of inspiration.
Control of respiratory center activity:
Control consists of both chemical (O2, CO2, pH) and physical
factors.

A. Central:
The main stimulus to central chemosensitivity is CO2.
-CO2 is a much more sensitive measure because normal O2
delivery occurs over a wide range of ventilation. (Hb is
saturated well below normal PO2 at sea level).
-There is little direct effect of O2 on the respiratory center.
 B. Peripheral control:
The Peripheral Chemoreceptors, mainly the carotid and aortic bodies.
• Especially important for sensing changes in arterial O2. (Remember, there is very
little stimulatory effect of O2 in the central chemosensitive area. Rather, in central
neurons, hypoxia (low O2) depresses breathing.
• Also sense arterial CO2 and are responsible for ~25% of the CO2 drive to the
central respiratory generator. The peripheral chemoreceptors respond rapidly to
CO2 and are probably responsible for the immediate (first few breaths) response to
CO2.

The Carotid Bodies:

• Located bilaterally in the bifurcation of the common carotid arteries.
• Prime location since this is the point of entry for the oxygenated blood into the
systemic circulation.
• Innervated by both afferent (sensory) and efferent nerve fibers.
• The afferent fibers travel up the glossopharyngeal nerve to the neurons of the DRG
in the NTS.
Carotid Bodies (cont’d):

Primarily responsible for the increased respiratory drive during

hypoxia.
•Respond to hypoxia with an increase in discharge in the
carotid sinus nerve, the sensory nerve leaving the carotid
body. Very sensitive to changes in O2 in the 30-60 mmHg
range.