Respiratory system

The Respiratory System is one of the vital systems in the Human body plays a
major role in providing adequate oxygen to all the parts of the body and removing the
waste like carbon dioxide during the process of Inhalation and Exhalation.

A respiratory system is a group of organs like Airway, Lungs, pulmonary vessels and
respiratory muscles which are responsible for taking in oxygen and sending out carbon
dioxide.

Oxygen is very essential for the proper function of each and every tissue within the
Human body.
The respiratory system is divided into two main parts, Upper and Lower respiratory
tract.

A. Upper respiratory tract: B. Lower respiratory tract:

A. Nose A. Trachea
B. Pharynx B. Lungs (Bronchial tree & Alveoli)
C. Larynx

Functions of Nose: Provides an airway respiration, moistens and warms entering air,
filters and cleanse inspired air, serving as resonating chamber for speech, Houses
olfactory receptors.
Air enters the nose/ mouth and passes the sinuses (hollow spaces in the skull). Sinuses
(Frontal, Ethmoid, Maxillary and Sphenoid) help to regulate the temperature and
humidity of the air.
Then air moves into Pharynx, Both food and air passes through the pharynx before
reaching their appropriate destinations (Food to esophagus and Air to Larynx)
Then the air passes into the larynx, which is essential for speech, (contains twofold
called vocal cords. Opening between the vocal cords are the glottis. As the air leaves
the lungs, the vocal cords vibrate and produce sound). Then the air passes
into Trachea.
Epiglottis is like a lid over the opening of larynx, Attached to the root of the tongue.
Which closes the larynx while food passing.

The Trachea (windpipe) filters the air that is inhaled. It branches into the bronchi
(Right and left), which are two tubes that carry air into each lung. The bronchial tubes
are lined with tiny hairs called cilia. Cilia move back and forth, carrying mucus up and
out. Mucus - a sticky fluid collects dust, germs and other matter that has invaded the
lungs. (Usually, we expel mucus when we sneeze, cough or spit).

It consists of 15-20 C shaped cartilage rings and it is about 10-12cm in length.

 The bronchial tubes lead to the lobes of the lungs. The right lung has three lobes
whereas the left lung has only two lobes. Smallest branches are called Bronchioles.

— Bronchial tubes are lined with tiny hairs called cilia, move back and forth and carrying
mucus up and out.

— Mucus a sticky fluid collects dust, germs and other matter that has invaded the lungs.
Lungs: Spongy organ present in the thoracic cavity, the left lung is smaller than the
right lung due to the presence of the heart more towards the left.

Lobes are filled with small, spongy sacs called alveoli, and this is where the gases
exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs. The alveolar walls are very thin. These
walls are composed of a single layer of tissues called epithelial cells and tiny blood
vessels called pulmonary capillaries. Blood passes through the capillaries.
 Pleura are the outer covering of the lungs and pleural fluid present within act as a
lubricant.
Consists of two layers

— Visceral pleura attached to the surface of the lung; inner layer closer to the lungs

— Parietal pleura attached to the chest wall; the outer layer, closer to the ribs
The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood containing more carbon
dioxide and less in oxygen to the lungs, where the carbon dioxide gas moves from the
blood to the alveoli and oxygen moves from alveoli to blood. Finally the Oxygenated
blood (Blood containing more oxygen) goes to the heart through the 4 pulmonary veins
and the heart pumps it throughout the body.

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of the lungs controls

breathing and separate the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. It is the
major muscle in respiration.

A. Contracts - Moves downward, enlarge an area in the thoracic cavity,

decreasing internal air pressure, so that air flows into the lungs to equalize the
pressure.

B. Relaxes - When the lungs are full, the diaphragm relaxes and elevates, Makes
the area in the thoracic cavity smaller, thus increasing air pressure in the chest, Air
is expelled out of the lungs to equalize pressure.

Inhalation - Air is taken in through nose/mouth. Inhalation is initiated by the

diaphragm and supported by the external intercostal muscles.

When the diaphragm contracts, the rib cage expands and the contents of the abdomen
are moved downward. This results in a larger thoracic volume and negative pressure
(with respect to atmospheric pressure) inside the thorax. As the pressure in the chest
falls, air moves into the lungs.

While taking a deep breath, the external intercostal muscles and accessory muscles
assist in further expanding the thoracic cavity.

Exhalation - is a passive process - air is moved or exhaled out. Active or forced

exhalation is achieved by the abdominal and the internal intercostal muscles.

The lungs have a natural elasticity capacity, as they recoil from the stretch of inhalation.
Air flows back out until the pressures in the chest and the atmosphere reach
equilibrium.
During forced exhalation, expiratory muscles including the abdominal muscles and
internal intercostal muscles generate abdominal and thoracic pressure, which forces air
out of the lungs.

The average rate of breathing is dependent upon age,

For adults - The normal respiratory rate is 12 to 16 breaths per minute (It may reach
45 breaths per minute during strenuous exercise).

The newborn – The normal respiratory rate is about 40 breaths per minute (It may
slow down to 20 breaths per minute when the baby is sleeping).

Common Disease of Respiratory System:

1. Asthma
2. Bronchitis
3. Pneumonia
4. COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
5. Emphysema
6. Tuberculosis
7. Pulmonary edema
8. Pulmonary embolism
9. Pulmonary hypertension
10. Fibrosis
11. Sarcoidosis
12. Pleural effusion
13. Asbestosis

Common Signs and Symptoms:

 1. Shortness of breath
2. Apnea
3. Dyspnea
4. Hypoxia
5. Anoxia
6. Bradypnea
7. Tachypnea

MEDICAL TERMS:

1. Nose - Rhino / Naso

2. Sinus - Sino

3. Larynx - Laryngo

4. Pharynx - Pharyngo

5. Trachea - Tracheo

6. Bronchus - Broncho

7. Bronchiole - Bronchiolo

8. Lung - Pneumono / Pulmono

9. Breath - Pnea

10. Chest - Pectr/o, Thorac/o

11. Diaphragm - Phreno

12. Carbon-dioxide - Capn/o

13. Voice - Phon/o

MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS:

1. ARDS - Adult or acute respiratory distress syndrome

2. COPD - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

3. DOE - Dyspnea on exertion

4. OSA - Obstructive sleep apnea

5. PAT - Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia

6. PFT - Pulmonary function test

7. RDS - Respiratory distress syndrome

8. SOB - Shortness of breath

9. URI - Upper respiratory infection

10. TB - Tuberculosis