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Control of ventilation
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<p>The control of ventilation is the <a href="/facts/Physiology/fh25y2pQ">physiological</a> mechanisms involved in the control of <a href="/facts/Breathing/92Wov2gk">breathing</a>, which is the movement of air into and out of the lungs. Ventilation facilitates respiration. Respiration refers to the utilization of <a href="/facts/Oxygen/acyn6o8r">oxygen</a> and balancing of <a href="/facts/Carbon_dioxide/xGzpppEp">carbon dioxide</a> by the body as a whole, or by individual cells in <a href="/facts/Cellular_respiration/kb6gpsvL">cellular respiration</a>. </p><p>The most important function of breathing is the supplying of oxygen to the body and balancing of the carbon dioxide levels. Under most conditions, the <a href="/facts/PCO2/3jPc7ToV">partial pressure of carbon dioxide</a> (PCO2), or concentration of carbon dioxide, controls the <a href="/facts/Respiratory_rate/Ja9lsl6E">respiratory rate</a>. </p><p>The <a href="/facts/Peripheral_chemoreceptor/bHCepa1F">peripheral chemoreceptors</a> that detect changes in the <a href="/facts/Blood_gas_tension/8SIHAoI6">levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide</a> are located in the <a href="/facts/Artery/Y1Yj0jat">arterial</a> <a href="/facts/Aortic_body/pWSspoCG">aortic bodies</a> and the <a href="/facts/Carotid_body/9DzS2X60">carotid bodies</a>. <a href="/facts/Central_chemoreceptors/tvQbKxBM">Central chemoreceptors</a> are primarily sensitive to changes in the <a href="/facts/PH/RnSv8D7y">pH</a> of the <a href="/facts/Blood/03zEulkj">blood</a>, (resulting from changes in the levels of carbon dioxide) and they are located on the <a href="/facts/Medulla_oblongata/KdSbCCkB">medulla oblongata</a> near to the <a href="/facts/Respiratory_centre/PPxQf431">medullar respiratory groups</a> of the <a href="/facts/Respiratory_center/PPxQf431">respiratory center</a>. Information from the peripheral chemoreceptors is conveyed along nerves to the respiratory groups of the respiratory center. There are four respiratory groups, two in the medulla and two in the <a href="/facts/Pons/shkNEbH3">pons</a>. The two groups in the pons are known as the <a href="/facts/Pontine_respiratory_group/PPxQf431">pontine respiratory group</a>. </p> <ol><li><a href="/facts/Dorsal_respiratory_group/PPxQf431">Dorsal respiratory group</a> – in the medulla</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ventral_respiratory_group/PPxQf431">Ventral respiratory group</a> – in the medulla</li> <li><a href="/facts/Pneumotaxic_center/PPxQf431">Pneumotaxic center</a> – various nuclei of the pons</li> <li><a href="/facts/Apneustic_center/PPxQf431">Apneustic center</a> – nucleus of the pons</li></ol> <p>From the respiratory center, the <a href="/facts/Muscles_of_respiration/SQ5fy9hy">muscles of respiration</a>, in particular the <a href="/facts/Thoracic_diaphragm/aw7KcUou">diaphragm</a>, are activated to cause air to move in and out of the lungs. </p>