Editing Control of ventilation (section)

=== Ventilatory pattern ===
[[File:2327 Respiratory Centers of the Brain.jpg|thumb|Respiratory centre and its groups of neurons]]
Breathing is normally an unconscious, involuntary, automatic process. The pattern of motor stimuli during breathing can be divided into an [[inhalation]] stage and an [[exhalation]] stage. [[Inhalation]] shows a sudden, ramped increase in motor discharge to the [[muscles of respiration|respiratory muscles]] (and the [[middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle|pharyngeal constrictor muscles]]).<ref name="Kuna2000">{{cite journal|last1=Kuna|first1=Samuel T|title=Respiratory-related activation and mechanical effects of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles|journal=Respiration Physiology|volume=119|issue=2–3|year=2000|pages=155–161|issn=0034-5687|doi=10.1016/S0034-5687(99)00110-3|pmid=10722858}}</ref> Before the end of inhalation, there is a decline in, and end of motor discharge. [[Exhalation]] is usually silent, except at high [[respiratory rate]]s.

The [[respiratory centre]] in the medulla and pons of the brainstem controls the rate and depth of respiration, (the [[respiratory rhythm]]), through various inputs. These include signals from the peripheral chemoreceptors and central chemoreceptors; from the vagus nerve and glossopharyngeal nerve carrying input from the [[pulmonary stretch receptor]]s, and other mechanoreceptors in the [[lung]]s.<ref name="Pocock"/><ref name="G and H">{{cite book|last1=Hall|first1=John|title=Guyton and Hall textbook of medical physiology|date=2011|publisher=Saunders/Elsevier|location=Philadelphia, Pa.|isbn=978-1-4160-4574-8|pages=505–510|edition=12th}}</ref> as well as signals from the [[cerebral cortex]] and [[hypothalamus]].

* Medulla 
** [[ventral respiratory group]] (includes the [[pre-Bötzinger complex]]). The ventral respiratory group controls voluntary forced exhalation and acts to increase the force of inhalation. Regulates rhythm of inhalation and exhalation.
** [[dorsal respiratory group]] ([[solitary nucleus]]). The dorsal respiratory group controls mostly movements of inhalation and their timing.
* Pons
** [[pneumotaxic center]].
*** Coordinates speed of inhalation and exhalation
*** Sends inhibitory impulses to the inspiratory area
*** Involved in fine tuning of respiration rate.
** [[apneustic center]]
*** Coordinates speed of inhalation and exhalation.
*** Sends stimulatory impulses to the inspiratory area – activates and prolongs inhalations
*** Overridden by pneumotaxic control from the apneustic area to end inhalation