Spatial distribution of various types of bulbar respiratory neurons in the rabbit

In anesthetized rabbits, the burst activity of 277 single respiratory neurons was recorded extracellularly. The neurons were classified according to their spike incidence distribution within the respiratory cycle and to their response to lung distension or collapse (alpha or beta type). About one third of the neurons found in all animals were located at the level of the caudal end of the promontorium gliosum, widely scattered over the bulbar cross-section. More rostrally the units were located within a dorsal area neighbouring the tractus solitarius, more caudally within a ventral field surrounding the nucleus ambiguus. Most of the inspiratory neurons (the most frequently encountered type) …