Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Mechanism of Breathing II: Expiration

Mechanism of Breathing II: Expiration

The Physiology of Expiration: A Seamless Respiratory Process
Expiration, or exhaling, is a complex physiological process that begins as the inspiratory muscles begin to relax. This relaxation triggers a series of events that epitomize the efficiency of the respiratory system.
Mechanism of Expiration:

Physiological Control of Respiration

Physiological Control of Respiration

Introduction
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...

Physiology of Respiration II: Neurogenic Control of Respiration

Physiology of Respiration II: Neurogenic Control of Respiration

The neurogenic control of respiration coordinates various neural networks and pathways to regulate breathing rate and depth, meeting the body's oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange requirements. This system adapts to physiological and environmental conditions, ensuring optimal breathing patterns.
Central Control
The brainstem is the primary site of central control, hosting respiratory centers:

Other Factors Affecting Respiration Centers

Other Factors Affecting Respiration Centers

Breathing is primarily an involuntary activity regulated by the brainstem respiratory centers. However, it can also be consciously controlled, allowing us to hold our breath or take deeper breaths when needed. This voluntary control is facilitated by the cerebral motor cortex, which bypasses the medullary centers to stimulate the respiratory muscles directly.
However, the ability to hold one's breath voluntarily is not limitless. When the CO2 concentration in the blood reaches a critical...

Mechanism of Breathing III: The Accessory Muscles

Mechanism of Breathing III: The Accessory Muscles

The Role of Accessory Muscles in the Respiratory System
The respiratory system is a complex network that relies on primary respiratory muscles like the diaphragm, but also involves accessory muscles to enhance lung expansion and airflow during both inhalation and exhalation.
Enhancing Inhalation with Accessory Muscles:
Accessory muscles such as the sternocleidomastoid, scalene, intercostal, and abdominal muscles are crucial when additional respiratory effort is required, such as during deep...

Neural Control of Respiration

Neural Control of Respiration

The neural regulation of respiration is a meticulously coordinated process primarily controlled by the respiratory centers located within the brainstem. These centers, composed of specialized neurons, transmit nerve impulses that control the contraction and relaxation of our respiratory muscles.
Respiratory Centers in the Brainstem
Two primary areas comprise the respiratory center: the medullary respiratory center in the medulla oblongata and the pontine respiratory group in the pons. The...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Effects of normobaric hypoxia and hyperthermia on ventilatory responses to high-intensity interval training bouts.

European journal of applied physiology·2026

Same author

Effects of Concurrent Training on Resting and Progressive Exercise Metabolism in Breast Cancer Survivors with Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors.

Nutrients·2026

Same author

A short-term concurrent training program enhances arterial stiffness and flow-mediated dilation in overweight or obese women independent of weight loss.

Frontiers in physiology·2026

Same author

CAROTID BODY CHEMORECEPTORS: FROM MOUNTAIN TO SPACE.

Physiology (Bethesda, Md.)·2026

Same author

The Association Between National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index Subscales, Training-Induced Fatigue, and Physiological Responses in Endurance Athletes.

International journal of sports physiology and performance·2026

Same author

Vascular, physical fitness, lifestyle, and body composition characteristics in middle-aged and older diver fishermen: association between shear rate and lower-limb physical fitness.

Frontiers in physiology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation

Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation

Published on: December 5, 2025

Commentaries on Viewpoint: Precedence and autocracy in breathing control

John S Torday¹, Li Zuo¹, Chia-Chen Chuang¹

¹Professor, UCLAAssistant ProfessorSchool of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences The Ohio State University College of Medicine Columbus, OhioInstitute for Medical Engineering and Science Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyLaboratory of Cardiorespiratory Control Universidad Autónoma de Chile Santiago, Chile Laboratory of Neurobiology P. Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago, ChileDepartment of Cellular and Integrative Physiology University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NebraskaUniversity of Rome, Italy University of Kent at Medway, United KingdomHuman Bio-Energetics Research Centre Crickhowell, Powys, United Kingdom.

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)

|June 17, 2015

Summary

No abstract available in PubMed .

More Related Videos

Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns

Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns

Published on: September 16, 2019

Breathing-controlled Electrical Stimulation BreEStim for Management of Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity

Breathing-controlled Electrical Stimulation BreEStim for Management of Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity

Published on: January 10, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation

Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation

Published on: December 5, 2025

Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns

Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns

Published on: September 16, 2019

Breathing-controlled Electrical Stimulation BreEStim for Management of Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity

Breathing-controlled Electrical Stimulation BreEStim for Management of Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity

Published on: January 10, 2013