Distinguish between voluntary and involuntary ventilatory control. Irritant receptors Peripheral chemoreceptors Central chemoreceptors Identify the levels at which spinal cord transection will effect functioning of the abdominal muscles, the intercostal muscles, and the diaphragm. Ventilatory control is exercised by the nervous system over the ventilatory muscles. Ventilatory control is extremely complex and incompletely understood. For example, picking up and holding an object in your hand is a voluntary act.
Breathing is subject to both voluntary and involuntary control.
Most of the time, we are unconscious of breathing. The involuntary mechanisms are in control. However, at any time, we can consciously override involuntary ventilatory control. For short periods, we can voluntarily change our respiratory rate or tidal volume or even stop breathing altogether. Voluntary ventilatory control has its source higher in the brain's conscious regions.