ABSTRACT
The respiratory system is a complex neurodynamical system. It exhibits many interesting characteristics that are akin to other physiologic control systems. However, the respiratory system is much more amenable to modeling analysis than many other systems for two reasons. First, the respiratory system is dedicated to a highly specific physiologic function, namely, the exchange of O2 and CO2 through the motor act of breathing. This physiologic function is readily distinguishable from extraneous disturbances arising from behavioral and other functions of the respiratory muscles. Second, the respiratory control system is structurally well organized, with well-defined afferent and efferent neural pathways, peripheral controlled processes, and a central controller. The functional and structural specificity of the respiratory system — and the diverse neurodynamic behaviors it represents — make it an ideal model system to illustrate the basic principles of physiologic control systems in general.
