Control of Breathing and Chemoreceptors

Chemoreceptors

Receptors that sense chemical changes in the body, specifically related to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.

Glomus Cells

Cells in the aortic and carotid bodies that detect changes in partial pressures of oxygen (pO2), carbon dioxide (pCO2), and hydrogen ions (H+).

Aortic Bodies

Clusters of chemoreceptors located in the wall of the aortic arch that monitor blood chemistry.

Carotid Bodies

Chemoreceptors located in the carotid arteries that respond to changes in blood chemistry, particularly oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

pO2

Partial pressure of oxygen, typically around 100 mmHg in arterial blood after gas exchange in the lungs.

Ventilation

The process of moving air in and out of the lungs, usually measured in liters per minute.

Alveolar Ventilation Rate

The rate at which fresh air is exchanged in the alveoli, influencing the levels of oxygen and carbon