The search for the "node of life": breathing regulation

Abstract

The article provides a historical overview of developments in the understanding of respiratory rhythm and its control mechanisms over the last two centuries. In the 19th century, a structure in the medulla oblongata was first described as the "node of life". In 1743, Taube discovered the carotid body, and in 1927 the Spaniard de Castro described its morphology and innervation. It was only with the work of father and son Heymans that the physiological and pharmacological significance of the carotid and aortic body was recognized. Today we understand that the generation and control of respiration are mediated by a complex neuronal network in the brainstem. Chemo-, mechano- and proprioreceptos convey information from blood, airways and muscles to the control centre. The respiratory centre integrates the afferent input from the receptors, the autonomic nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and voluntary input from the cerebral cortex to modulate the degree of respiratory activation of motoneurons and respiratory muscles.