Role of the nervous system in generating breathing rhythm

The nervous system controls the flow of air going in and out of our lungs. The nervous system ensures that the unconscious breathing process is carried out in a regular pattern and rate. The autonomic nervous system is a controlling system in the brain.

The diaphragm is supplied with spinal nerves these lead from the brain stem from the spine. These nerves run back to collections of neurones in the medulla oblongata known as the respiratory centres. These are in turn connected to a second respiratory centre in the pons. The interplay between the cells of the two respiratory centres enables automatic breathing, the neurones are both stimulatory (telling us to breathe in and contract) and inhibitory (telling us to breathe out and relax). The respiratory centres transmits regular impulses to the diaphragm intercostal muscles to cause us to inhale and sends signals to the respiratory centre to cause us to exhale. Ventilation is under voluntary control from the cortex.

Conscious actions can control the rhythm of the respiratory system. Such conscious alterations of the respiratory system is done by holding or controlling the breathe.

The cerebral cortex has a main role to play, it sends signals to the rib muscles and diaphragm to override the respiratory centre signals and makes us gasp for breathe. When we do hold our breath and don't exhale our blood builds up of dangerous amounts of carbon dioxide.