Abstract
Summary
Effect of electrolytic lesions of the medullary inspiratory center on respiration was studied in 65 sodium pentobarbital-anesthetized cats. The current was applied through a stainless steel electrode inserted stereotaxically into the medulla. Unilateral or bilateral lesions produced by 5 mA applied for 20 sec induced no respiratory arrest. Unilateral lesions produced by 10 mA applied for 20 sec evoked terminal apnea. Midline lesions made by 5, 10, 20, and 30 mA each applied for 20 sec failed to cause respiratory arrest. However, those midline lesions produced by 40 mA stopped breathing. These results show that the inspiratory neurons of each half of the medulla are crucial for the maintenance of respiration. Further, they confirm that most of the medullary inspiratory neurons are in the lateral reticular formation.
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