Pneumotaxic center
Encyclopedia
The pneumotaxic center also known as the pontine respiratory group (PRG), is a network of neurons in the rostral dorsal
lateral pons
. It consists of the Kölliker-Fuse nucleus
and the medial parabrachial nucleus
.
, cyclically inhibiting inspiration
. The PRG limits the burst of action potentials in the phrenic nerve
, effectively decreasing the tidal volume
and regulating the respiratory rate. Absence of the PRG results in an increase in depth of respiration and a decrease in respiratory rate.
Dorsum (biology)
In anatomy, the dorsum is the upper side of animals that typically run, fly, or swim in a horizontal position, and the back side of animals that walk upright. In vertebrates the dorsum contains the backbone. The term dorsal refers to anatomical structures that are either situated toward or grow...
lateral pons
Pons
The pons is a structure located on the brain stem, named after the Latin word for "bridge" or the 16th-century Italian anatomist and surgeon Costanzo Varolio . It is superior to the medulla oblongata, inferior to the midbrain, and ventral to the cerebellum. In humans and other bipeds this means it...
. It consists of the Kölliker-Fuse nucleus
Kölliker-Fuse nucleus
The Kölliker-Fuse nucleus is part of the pneumotaxic center , together with the medial parabrachial nucleus....
and the medial parabrachial nucleus
Medial parabrachial nucleus
The Medial parabrachial nucleus is a nucleus of the pons which constitutes part of the pneumotaxic center.It gets its name from its location relative to the superior cerebellar peduncles, which is also known as the "brachia conjunctiva"....
.
Respiratory effects
The PRG antagonizes the apneustic centerApneustic center
The apneustic center of the lower pons appears to promote inspiration by stimulation of the I neurons in the medulla oblongata providing a constant stimulus....
, cyclically inhibiting inspiration
Inhalation
Inhalation is the movement of air from the external environment, through the air ways, and into the alveoli....
. The PRG limits the burst of action potentials in the phrenic nerve
Phrenic nerve
The phrenic nerve originates mainly from the 4th cervical nerve, but also receives contributions from the 5th and 3rd cervical nerves in humans....
, effectively decreasing the tidal volume
Tidal volume
Tidal volume is the lung volume representing the normal volume of air displaced between normal inspiration and expiration when extra effort is not applied.Typical values are around 500ml or 7ml/kg bodyweight.-Mechanical Ventilation:...
and regulating the respiratory rate. Absence of the PRG results in an increase in depth of respiration and a decrease in respiratory rate.