alleryStart learning →What fails in central sleep apnoea?
AThe tongue muscles relax and block the airway
BAdipose tissue narrows the trachea during sleep
CThe diaphragm loses its own contractile power
DThe brain fails to respond to rising carbon dioxide
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. The brain fails to respond to rising carbon dioxide
1. Sleep apnoea comes in obstructive and central forms.
2. In central sleep apnoea the respiratory centres of the brain do not respond properly to rising carbon dioxide.
3. They therefore fail to stimulate the diaphragm and intercostals regularly, inspiration does not occur, and breathing stops for a period.
4. Relaxing tongue and throat muscles and excess neck adipose tissue are causes of the obstructive form instead.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 22 "The Respiratory System", section 22.3 The Process of Breathing_
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