Import Question JSON

The medulla oblongata is a part of the brainstem that regulates several vital autonomic functions, including respiration. It contains several groups of neurons called respiratory centers that control the rate and depth of breathing. These centers receive input from chemoreceptors in the blood vessels that detect changes in the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH in the blood. When these levels change, the respiratory centers adjust the rate and depth of breathing to maintain proper levels of gas exchange in the body. The cerebellum is responsible for coordination and movement, while the hypothalamus regulates several physiological functions such as body temperature, hunger, and thirst. The cerebrum is responsible for conscious thought, perception, and voluntary movement. Although these parts of the brain may indirectly influence breathing, the primary control of respiration is through the medulla oblongata.