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Respiratory Drive

Meaning

Respiratory drive is the neural and chemical stimulus that initiates and controls the rate and depth of breathing, ensuring adequate gas exchange to maintain oxygen and carbon dioxide homeostasis in the blood. This involuntary, rhythmic process is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem, which integrates input from central and peripheral chemoreceptors sensitive to changes in blood pH, oxygen tension, and carbon dioxide concentration. Hormonal factors, notably progesterone, can significantly modulate this drive, particularly in conditions like pregnancy or sleep-disordered breathing.