respiratory center

Thân thiện

The brain's respiratory center automatically adjusts our breathing rate.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A neural control center in the brainstem: The "respiratory center" is a specialized group of neurons located in the medulla oblongata and pons of the brainstem. Its primary function is to automatically generate and regulate the basic rhythm of breathing.
   • An integrator of chemical signals: It receives and processes sensory information, primarily concerning the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
   • A signal generator for respiratory muscles: Based on this integrated information, it determines and sends the appropriate neural signals to the muscles responsible for breathing, such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, to adjust the rate and depth of respiration.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Damage to the respiratory center can lead to life-threatening breathing disorders.
  • Chemoreceptors send signals to the respiratory center when blood carbon dioxide rises.
  • The automatic rhythm of breathing is maintained by the respiratory center in the brainstem.

Advanced Usage

• Central chemoreceptors are sensitive to changes in the pH of cerebrospinal fluid, which reflects blood CO₂ levels, and they influence the respiratory center.
• The respiratory center can be subdivided into functional groups, such as the dorsal respiratory group (DRG) for inspiration and the ventral respiratory group (VRG) for both inspiration and expiration.

Variants and Related Words

• Respiratory (adj): Pertaining to respiration or breathing.
  • The patient has a respiratory infection.
• Center (n): A point, area, or region that is central to a function or activity.
  • The city is a major commercial center.

Synonyms

• Brainstem breathing center: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its location.
• Pneumotaxic center: Specifically refers to a regulatory component within the pontine part of the respiratory center that influences breathing rhythm.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Medulla oblongata: The lower part of the brainstem containing key components of the respiratory center.
• Pons: The part of the brainstem above the medulla that contains regulatory elements of the respiratory center.
• Chemoreceptor: A sensory cell or organ that detects chemical changes and provides input to the respiratory center.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the center in the medulla oblongata and pons that integrates sensory information about the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood and determines the signals to be sent to the respiratory muscles