(1) Respiration is under dual control, i.e. nervous and chemical. Normal breathing is an involuntary process. Steady state of respiration is controlled by neurons located in the pons and medulla and are known as the respiratory centres. They regulate the rate and depth of breathing. 

(2) These centres are divided into three groups : dorsal group of neurons in the medulla (inspiratory centre), ventro-lateral group of neurons in medulla (inspiratory and expiratory centre) and pneumotaxic centre located in the pons and apneustic centre which is antagonistic in action to pneumotaxic centre.

(3) During inspiration, when the lungs expand to a critical point, the stretch receptors are stimulated and impulses are sent along the vagus nerves to the expiratory centre. It then sends out inhibitory impulses to the inspiratory centre.

(4) The inspiratory muscles relax and expiration follows. As the air leaves but, the lungs are deflated and the stretch receptors are no longer stimulated. Thus, the inspiratory centre is no longer inhibited and a new respiration begins. These events are called the Hering – Breuer reflex. The Hering – Breuer reflex controls the depth and rhythm of respiration. It also prevents the lungs from inflating to the point of bursting.

(5) The respiratory centre has connections with the cerebral cortex that means we can voluntarily change our pattern of breathing. Voluntary control is protective because it enables us to prevent water or irritating gases from entering the lungs.