What is "respiratory center"

n. the center in the medulla oblongata and pons that integrates sensory information about the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood and determines the signals to be sent to the respiratory muscles

The respiratory centers (RCs) are located in the medulla oblongata and pons, which are parts of the brainstem. The RCs receive controlling signals of neural, chemical and hormonal nature and control the rate and depth of respiratory movements of the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles. Injury to these centers may lead to center respiratory failure, which necessitates mechanical ventilation; usually the prognosis is death.

In healthy individuals the presence of elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood is the stimulant that the RC responds to in order to signal the respiratory muscles to breathe. Chemoreceptors found in carotid bodies and aortic bodies are responsible for detecting decrease in blood pH by this carbon dioxide.