Mieczyslaw Pokorski
Editor

2013

The scientific study of the respiratory system has increased enormously during the last decades, principally due to advances in cellular and molecular biology. The progress has allowed respiratory researchers and clinicians to investigate, in much detail, the complex processes underlying the development, function or malfunction, and regulation of respiration. Respiration emerges as the product of the assemblage of neuronal activity, lung ventilation, and respiratory muscle-pump function. The drive to inspire comes ultimately from the oscillating activity of the brain stem neuronal network. This drive, however, is subject to constant incomingmodifications fromcentral and peripheral sensory inputs.