Respiratory System

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Functions: • • • • •

Bringing all air to the proper body temperature. Moisturizing the inhaled air for necessary humidity. Protecting the body from harmful substances by coughing, sneezing or filtering them, or by alerting the body through your sense of smell. Defending the lungs with cilia (tiny hair-like structures) and mucus, which act to remove harmful substances The process of taking air into the lungs is inspiration, or inhalation, and the process of breathing it out is expiration, or exhalation.

Passage: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

nasal/oral cavity pharynx larynx trachea bronchi

6. 7. 8. 9.

lungs bronchioles alveoli capillaries

Nose/ Nasal Cavity • • • •

Vent for air exchange Preferred entrance for outside air into the respiratory system. Contains the nose hairs (vibrissiae) that contains mucus which entraps large airborne particles from going deeper into the body. Functions to warm, moisten, and clean inhaled air so it can safely travel deeper into the body.

Mouth/Oral Cavity •

It is where air can also enter, especially to those who has a mouth-breathing habit or whose nasal passages may be temporarily obstructed, as by a cold, or during heavy exercise.

Pharynx: • •

Conducts air from the nasal or oral cavity downward to the windpipe(trachea) It also further moistens and cleans the air.

Larynx • •

Contains the vocal chords. It is where moving air that we breathed in and out creates voice sounds. It is caused by the vibration of the air we breathed.

Trachea • • • •

4-5 inch tube that runs through the lower neck and chest. It conductsd air between the larynx and the primary bronchi. It contains cartilage rings that stiffens the wall so that the trachea would stay open and air flows unimpeded. It further divides into two primary bronchi that connects onto both right and left lungs.

Bronchi • •

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The principal bronchi are further divided into smaller and smaller bronchi. The bronchi are lined with cilia that carries mucus upward and out into the throat which could either be coughed up or swallowed. This mucus calches and holds much of the dust, germs, and unwanted matte that has invaded the lungs. When the bronchi become inflammed, a condition results which is referred to as bronchitis.

Lungs • • •

are two sponge-like, cone-shaped structures that fill most of the chest cavity and are protected by the flexible rib cage. Together, the two lungs form one of the largest organs in the body. Their essential function is to provide oxygen from inhaled air to the capillaries and to exhale the carbon dioxide delivered from them.

Bronchioles •

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Are the tiniest bronchial tubes. Each lung has about 30,000 bronchioles that are about the same thickness as a hair. Together, they form the bronchial tree. At the end of this tube, are the air sacs or alveoli.

Alveoli •

The very small sacs that are the destination of air breathed in

Diaphragm • •

In exhalation, the diaphragm moves upward and the chest wall muscles relax When you breathe in, the diaphragM moves downward toward the abdomen, and the rib muscles pull the ribs upward and outward.

Respiratory Diseases

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Pulmonary hypertension o is a lung disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery rises far above normal levels. Sarcoidosis o is a rare disease that results from inflammation. Ninety percent of the cases of sarcoidosis are found in the lungs, but it can occur in almost any organ. Tuberculosis (TB) o is a chronic bacterial infection that usually infects the lungs, although other organs are sometimes involved. TB is primarily an airborne disease. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) o Asthma- air passages in their lungs get narrower, and breathing becomes more difficult. These problems are caused by an oversensitivity of the lungs and airways. o Chronic bronchitis- inflammation of the bronchi, which long-term results in increased production of mucous o Pulmonary emphysema- permanent "holes" in the tissues of the lower lungs, due to damaged alveoli. interstitial lung diseases o bronchiolitis - inflammation that involves the bronchioles (small airways) o alveolitis - inflammation that involves the alveoli (air sacs) o vasculitis - inflammation that involves the small blood vessels (capillaries) o pneumonia o inflammation of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or chemical irritants. The air sacs fill with pus and other liquid.

Reasons of Respiratory Diseases • • • • • • •

Tobacco smoking Indoor air pollution Outdoor pollution Allergens Second-hand smoking Stress, obesity, depression Occupational risks and vulnerability

Symptoms: •

The symptoms of respiratory disease differ depending on the disease. Common symptoms are: o Shortness of breath or dyspnea which usually occurs with exercise and can interfere with daily activities. In severe cases, shortness of breath occurs while resting. o Cough w/ or w/o the production of sputum. o Coughing blood (haemoptysis).

o o o o o o

Chest pain. This may or may not be pleuritic chest pain (that is pain that worsens with the movements of breathing). Noisy breathing, either wheeze or stridor. Somnolence.- a strong desire for sleep, or sleeping for unusually long periods Loss of appetite. Weight loss Cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the lips, tongue or fingers.