THE FUNCTION OF COMPONENTS OF THE RESPIRATORY COMPLEX

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Abstract
A study was made of the effects of transection of the brain stem and vagus nerves on the spontaneous respiratory discharge of impulses in single neurones dissected from the phrenic nerve of the cat. The central respiratory system may be functionally divided into four subsidiary systems: (i) the respiratory center-motor neurone system; (ii) the vagal inhibitory system; (iii) the brain stem inhibitory system; and (iv) other excitatory and inhibitory systems. The first 3 of these systems were studied in isolation and in various combinations. The respiratory center-motor neurone system regulates depth of inspiration by controlling motor unit impulse frequency and numbers of active units. The activity of this system in isolation is continuous and graded in degree in relation to CO2 tension of the arterial blood. The vagal inhibitory and brain stem inhibitory systems serve in a parallel manner to inhibit periodically the activities of the respiratory center-motor neurone system. Such periodic inhibition leads to rhythmic respiration and provides the groundwork for variation in rate.

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