1. The centre 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
   "Damage to the respiratory centre can lead to breathing difficulties";
   - respiratory center [US]

Derived forms: respiratory centres

Type of: center [US], centre [Brit, Cdn], nerve center [US], nerve centre [Brit, Cdn]

Part of: bulb [archaic], medulla, medulla oblongata, pons, pons Varolii

Encyclopedia: Respiratory centre