Atmungszentrum

The Atmungszentrum, or respiratory center, is a collection of nerve centers in the brainstem of mammals that controls breathing. It is located in the medulla oblongata and the pons. The respiratory center receives sensory information from various parts of the body, including chemoreceptors that detect levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, and mechanoreceptors that sense lung stretch. Based on this information, it sends motor signals to the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles to regulate the rate and depth of breathing.

The respiratory center is divided into several components, each with specific roles. The dorsal respiratory group, primarily in the medulla, is responsible for initiating inhalation. The ventral respiratory group, also in the medulla, plays a role in both inhalation and exhalation, particularly during forced breathing. The pontine respiratory group, located in the pons, influences the rate and pattern of breathing, fine-tuning the signals from the medulla.

The nervous control of breathing is essential for maintaining homeostasis, ensuring adequate oxygen supply to the body and efficient removal of carbon dioxide. The respiratory center can adjust breathing in response to changes in metabolic activity, such as during exercise, or to environmental factors, like altitude. Damage to the respiratory center, for instance due to stroke or trauma, can lead to severe respiratory dysfunction and can be life-threatening.