Neural as well as Chemical Mechanism of Respiration and Details of Medullary as well as Pontine Centers

Abstract

Respiration is a reflex process. The pattern of is controlled by two mechanisms namely nervous or neural mechanism and chemical mechanism. Respiratory centres are divided into two groups such as medullary centres (Dorsal respiratory group - DRG, Ventral respiratory group - VRG ) and pontine centers (Pneumotaxic center, Apneustic centre ). Inspiratory ramp signals are significant because they indicate low, steady breathing, which ensures that the lungs are consistently filled with air. Impulses from higher centers, impulses from stretch receptors, impulses from J receptors, impulses from irritant receptors, impulses from baroreceptors, impulses from chemo receptors, impulses from proprioceptors, impulses from thermo receptors and impulses from pain receptors also control respiratory centres.