Ventral respiratory group

Ventral respiratory group (VRG) is a column of neurons located in the medulla oblongata near the ventral surface of the brainstem. The VRG is one of the components of the respiratory center that plays a crucial role in the regulation of respiration.

Function

The ventral respiratory group is responsible for generating the rhythm of breathing. It sends signals to the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles, causing them to contract and initiate inhalation. When the VRG stops sending signals, these muscles relax, leading to exhalation.

The VRG is also involved in forced breathing, such as during exercise or heavy labor. In these situations, it sends signals to accessory muscles like the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles to assist with inhalation, and to the abdominal muscles to assist with exhalation.

Structure

The ventral respiratory group consists of several subgroups of neurons, including the pre-Bötzinger complex, the rostral and caudal ventral respiratory group, and the retrotrapezoid nucleus/parafacial respiratory group. Each of these subgroups has a different role in controlling the rhythm and pattern of breathing.

Clinical significance

Disruptions to the function of the ventral respiratory group can lead to respiratory disorders such as sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. In severe cases, damage to the VRG can cause respiratory failure and death.

See also

• Dorsal respiratory group
• Pneumotaxic center
• Apneustic center

References

Ventral respiratory group Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski