How are breathing patterns controlled or regulated?
Breathing is an automatic and rhythmic behavior regulated by several nerve centers in the brain, more specifically, in the neurons of the pons and medulla oblongata. The central processing of many sensory inputs control breathing movements. The central processor is made up of a pattern generator and a rhythm generator. From these, the depth and amplitude of each breath is controlled and the frequency of breathing is controlled, respectively. Ventilation helps maintain satisfactory rates of gas transfer and blood pH levels. Breathing movements with eating, talking, or other bodily functions are controlled by sensory inputs as well. The muscles and diaphragm help ventilate the lungs. This action is stimulated by the spinal motor neurons and the phrenic nerve that get information from the neurons that make up the medullary respiratory centers. The muscles of the respiratory system are finely controlled, and this allows humans to breathe, sing, and whistle. The medullary respiratory center
