Review of Medical Physiology - William F. Ganong 2002

Respiration
Regulation of Respiration
Introduction

Breathing occurs spontaneously As a result of rhythmic impulses in motor Neurons that innervate the Respiratory Muscles. The generation of this activity relies entirely on neural signals from the Brain. Respiration will cease if the Spinal Cord is transected above the exit site of the phrenic nerves.

The rhythmic impulses from the brain that trigger spontaneous breathing are regulated by changes in arterial PO2, PCO2, and H+ concentration. This chemical regulation is complemented by numerous non-chemical influences.



Last update: 10/08/2026

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