Which part of the brain controls the respiratory system?

The medulla oblongata plays a crucial role in regulating the respiratory system. It is part of the brainstem and is responsible for the automatic control of breathing. Within the medulla, there are specialized groups of neurons that respond to changes in carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the blood, ensuring that breathing rates adjust appropriately to maintain homeostasis. This area coordinates the rhythm and depth of respiration, signaling the muscles involved in breathing to contract and relax.

While the pons, another structure in the brainstem, also contributes to respiratory control by acting as a relay station and modulating the signals sent from the medulla, the primary control center for establishing the basic rhythm of breathing is the medulla oblongata. The cerebellum and cerebrum are primarily associated with voluntary motor control and higher brain functions, rather than the involuntary processes that govern respiration.