Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for controlling breathing?

The part of the brain primarily responsible for controlling breathing is the respiratory control center. This center is located in the brainstem, specifically within structures such as the medulla oblongata and the pons. It plays a critical role in regulating the rate and depth of breathing in response to carbon dioxide levels, oxygen levels, and pH changes in the blood.

The respiratory control center integrates sensory information and adjusts the respiratory rate to maintain homeostasis in the body’s internal environment. This function is essential for ensuring that sufficient oxygen enters the bloodstream and that carbon dioxide is effectively removed.

While the cerebellum is involved in coordination and balance, the cerebral cortex allows for voluntary control over breathing (such as holding one's breath) but does not autonomously regulate it. The spinal cord is essential for transmitting signals but does not have a direct role in the rhythmic control of breathing like the respiratory control center does. Thus, the respiratory control center is key to the automatic regulation of breathing necessary for survival.