Control of Respiration by the Nervous System
By Dr Anmol Arora ( Sr Homoeopathic physician )
Breathing is controlled by the medulla of the brainstem. It repeatedly triggers contraction of the diaphragm initiating inspiration. The rate of breathing changes with activity level in response to carbon dioxide levels, and to a lesser extent, oxygen levels, in the blood. Carbon dioxide lowers the pH of the blood.
There are control centers for respiration in both the medulla and the pons of the hindbrain.
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