How Does the Respiratory Organ System Interact in the Human Body?

In respiration, the lungs and brain rely on mutual communication. Involving receptors, nerves and muscles, their interaction enables breathing that matches the body's fluctuating demand for oxygen.

Key Organs

• Respiration (the exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen) occurs inside the lungs, notes the book "Biology, 5th Ed.," by Neil Campbell et al. Respiration is regulated primarily by the medulla oblongata, a part of the brainstem, observes Gerard Tortora in his book "Principles of Human Anatomy, 9th Ed."

Interaction

• The lungs and the medulla oblongata interact mainly through the phrenic nerves and the diaphragm muscle, Tortora notes. When inspiratory neurons in the medulla discharge, nerve impulses travel via the phrenic nerves to the diaphragm, causing it to contract, which in turn expands the lungs, observes the book "Human Physiology, 8th Ed.," by Arthur Vander et al.

Stretch Receptors

• Activated by lung inflation, stretch receptors in the airway trigger nerve impulses that travel back to the medulla. These inhibit the inspiratory neurons.

Chemoreceptors

• Additionally, receptors in the neck and medulla monitor levels of oxygen and hydrogen ions. In order to maintain normal levels, these chemoreceptors trigger nerve impulses that accelerate breathing when necessary, by activating the medullary inspiratory neurons, indicate Vander et al.