inspiratory centre

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inspiratory centre The most important subcentre of the ventilation centre in the brain, which controls the regularity of breathing. The inspiratory centre is situated in the medulla oblongata and is composed of a group of neurons (the dorsal respiratory group). These neurons receive information from stretch receptors in the bronchial tubes and chemoreceptors in the carotid bodies and generate impulses that pass down the phrenic nerve to the diaphragm, causing it to contract (see inspiration).