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What Is the Connection between the Nervous System and Respiratory System?

Erik J.J. Goserud
Erik J.J. Goserud

The nervous system and respiratory system depend on each other for proper physiological function. The nervous system acts to regulate and sense needed changes in respiratory rate, while the respiratory system is responsible for providing much-needed feedback regarding gas regulation. They are both needed, of course, for the overall ability to survive.

Physiology is the study of the systems of the body. For the sake of convenience, physiological systems are sometimes examined individually; although in reality, each system largely depends on the others. The offset of one system may imbalance the others, often leading to disease. The nervous and respiratory systems are no exception to this relationship dependence characteristic of physiological systems.

The respiratory system is made up of the mouth, throat, nose, sinuses, bronchial tubes, and lungs.
The respiratory system is made up of the mouth, throat, nose, sinuses, bronchial tubes, and lungs.

The respiratory system functions to achieve gas exchange. Gas exchange not only allows for needed nutrients to enter the bloodstream, but it also enables the release of chemicals and metabolic by-products that could otherwise tarnish the body's health. This seemingly simple process is actually incredibly complex, involving many organs, structures, and muscles to accomplish an end goal of healthy gas exchange. It would be too easy if gas exchange were static, so of course, this process is further complicated by a dynamic need of the body for exchange. A person at rest, for example, needs less oxygen than an individual exercising.

Lean red meat contains a healthy dose of vitamin B12, which can help build a strong nervous system.
Lean red meat contains a healthy dose of vitamin B12, which can help build a strong nervous system.

The body relies on the interaction of the nervous system and respiratory system to accommodate its dynamic physiological needs. The nervous system plays a role in sensing a need for change and initiating appropriate action. One way to understand the interaction of the nervous system and respiratory system is to run through an example of change and response.

The central nervous system serves as a signaling conduit between muscles and the brain.
The central nervous system serves as a signaling conduit between muscles and the brain.

A person who transitions from a walking to running state experiences a change in bodily system functions. While walking, this person is probably in a homeostatic state. Once people begin to move rapidly, their muscles and cardiovascular systems are stressed to accommodate an elevated state. This elevated state needs more oxygen and nutrients to sustain itself and relies on the respiratory system to acquire more oxygen.

The respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body while expelling carbon dioxide from the body.
The respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body while expelling carbon dioxide from the body.

The nervous system acts to sense this change and send information about the exact change to the brain and spinal cord. The brain and spinal cord process this information and use the nervous system as an informational pathway to get messages back to the body. These messages could say to slow down or speed up, depending on the situation. This is the manner in which the nervous system and respiratory system are related.

Discussion Comments

Kristee

@shell4life – I believe that panic attacks are brought on by nervousness. It can either be anxiety that you've been dealing with for awhile or a sudden situation that makes you feel fear.

Once your nerves start reacting to the anxiety, it becomes hard to breathe. You may hyperventilate, and you may feel like you are about to pass out.

I used to have panic attacks, and I would feel as if I were falling out of reality. I had to put my head between my knees and breathe deeply, and this seemed to counteract the nerves that were making me hyperventilate.

shell4life

How do the nervous system and the respiratory system come into play when a person is having a panic attack? I had my first one last week, and I felt both nervous and out of breath.

StarJo

@seag47 – It's probably the same thing that happens when you hold your breath for too long and you feel the overwhelming urge to breath. I've had to hold my breath in an MRI before, and after about thirty seconds, I had to start letting some of the air out and taking in short breaths to survive, because I just could not keep it in any longer.

seag47

I've definitely gotten the signal to slow down while running before. I get out of breath really easily, so any time that I run for even a short distance, my chest starts to hurt, and I have to stop.

I never really thought about my nervous system getting in on this. I always just assumed that the reason I stopped was because I couldn't catch my breath, but it was also because my nerves told my brain that I needed to stop.

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    • The respiratory system is made up of the mouth, throat, nose, sinuses, bronchial tubes, and lungs.
      By: decade3d
      The respiratory system is made up of the mouth, throat, nose, sinuses, bronchial tubes, and lungs.
    • Lean red meat contains a healthy dose of vitamin B12, which can help build a strong nervous system.
      By: Blind Shot
      Lean red meat contains a healthy dose of vitamin B12, which can help build a strong nervous system.
    • The central nervous system serves as a signaling conduit between muscles and the brain.
      By: 7activestudio
      The central nervous system serves as a signaling conduit between muscles and the brain.
    • The respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body while expelling carbon dioxide from the body.
      By: jovannig
      The respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body while expelling carbon dioxide from the body.