Where is the respiratory center of the brain located?

Answer 1

This is actually located in the brainstem in particular the medulla oblongata. This is the primitive part of the brain which we have no "concious" control over (it is autonomic) and ensures that we breathe above all costs (i.e. you can't forcibly hold your breath and suffocate yourself). This part of the brain however can be influenced by other parts of the brain which we do have control over.

Answer 2

The brainstem is the respiratory rhythm generator. It is involved in involuntary breathing. Within the brainstem, the ventral respiratory group and the dorsal respiratory group are responsible for generating breathing rhythm and the pontine respiratory group regulates the pattern of that rhythm.

Answer 3

This fascinating system was first successfully described by Lumsden in the 1920s. He experimenting on cats - cutting their brain stems in different places. Not sure how ethical it would be nowadays but it was experiments like his that provide the basis for a lot of modern day physiology.

The brain stem is split into 3 regions. The two nearest the brain are known as the pons and the other is the medulla. The medulla connects onto the spinal cord. If the brain stem is cut above the pons (ie just below the brain) then breathing will continue as long as the vagus nerve is intact. This shows that the brain itself does not control ventilation but some part of the brain stem. Further experiments showed that it was the medulla the "Central Pattern Generator" and the parts of the pons are responsible for controlling the relative inspiration and exhalation phases.

Answer 4

Brain stem. As with all autonomous functions(cardio, adrenal, etc)

Answer 5

The medulla sets the basic rhythm of breathing.

The pons centers smooth out the basic rhythm of inspiration and expiration set by the medulla.

Answer 6

brainstem in particular the medulla oblongata

Answer 7

The Apneustic center of the Pons Varoli

Answer 8

Medulla Oblongata