Summary
Highlights
Breathing is primarily an involuntary process controlled by the brainstem's respiratory center, which adjusts the rate and depth of respiration based on metabolic needs like oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
The respiratory center is located in the medulla and the pons. It includes the dorsal and ventral respiratory groups, the pre-Bötzinger complex, and higher centers in the pons that fine-tune rhythm.
Chemoreceptors monitor pH and carbon dioxide levels to trigger breathing adjustments, while mechanoreceptors in the lungs manage inflation reflexes and protective responses like coughing.
Breathing can be influenced by the limbic system due to emotions or pain, and can be overridden by the motor cortex for voluntary activities such as speaking or holding one's breath.