Respiratory
System
The Respiratory System
• The respiratory system consists of the
UPPER and LOWER respiratory tracts.
• URT includes: nose, pharynx, larynx,
and trachea.
• LRT includes: bronchi, Diaphragm and
lungs
• The function of the respiratory system
is to facilitate the exchange of oxygen
and carbon dioxide.
• The body needs oxygen (02) for
carrying out it metabolic functions.
As a result, carbon dioxide (CO2) is
produced.
Epiglottis
The epiglottis is the structure that
prevents food from entering the
trachea. It is a flap of tissue that
constantly opens and closes.
Upper Respiratory Tract
• The external openings to the nose
are called nostrils or NARES.
• Air enters the nose
and passes into the
nasal cavity. Inside
the nasal cavity,
there are tiny hairs
that filter out dust
particles found in
the air.
• The nasal cavity
also contain
CONCHAE, which
moisten and warm
the air.
After passing through the nasal cavity,
air then enters the pharynx, or
throat.
• The larynx or voice
box is responsible
for sound
production.
• The voice box takes
the sound that is
produced by the air
passing through it
and changes the
PITCH by changing
shape of the cords.
• At the top of the larynx is a small leaf-
shaped flap of cartilage known as the
epiglottis.
• During swallowing, the epiglottis closes off
the larynx so that food and liquid are
directed into the esophagus.
• When foreign material enters the larynx
(anything but food), a cough attempts to
expel the material to avoid choking.
Esophagus
• The muscular
tube through
which food
passes from
the throat to
the stomach.
• Air passes from the larynx to the
TRACHEA or WINDPIPE.
• The trachea connects the
throat/larynx to the lungs.
• The trachea is composed of smooth
muscle that is embedded with rings
of cartilage.
• These rings provided the necessary
rigidity that is needed to prevent
collapsing of the tube.
The Lower Respiratory Tract
• The trachea divides into two
branches called BRONCHI.
• Each bronchus branches to a
separate lung and subdivides into
increasingly smaller branches called
BRONCHIOLES.
• The bronchioles are the smallest
branches.
• Patients with asthma suffer from
wheezing caused by spasms of the
bronchi.
• Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling
sound made while breathing. It's often
associated with difficulty breathing.
• These spasms are called:
bronchospam
• At the end of the bronchial tree, there is
a cluster of very small, grapelike air
sacs.
• These air sacs are the ALVEOLI.
• The alveoli are the places where oxygen
is exchanged with carbon dioxide. The
alveoli are intimately associated with
capillaries that allow blood cells to filter
through one at a time.
• Each bronchus leads to a lung.
• Each lung is enclosed in a saran-wrap
like structure called the PLEURA.
What is Pleura?
• A pleura is a serous membrane that
folds back on itself to form a two-
layered membranous pleural sac.
The outer layer is called the parietal
pleura and attaches to the chest
wall. The inner layer is called the
visceral pleura and covers the lungs,
blood vessels, nerves, and bronchi.
• Pleural space is the space between
outer and inner pleural.
• It’s function is to reduced friction
between the two pleural and it has
pleural fluid.
The DIAPHRAGM is a large muscle
that separates the lungs from the
abdominal cavity.
Inhalation (inspiration)
Exhalation (expiration)
Breathing in (Inhalation)
When you breathe in (inhale), your diaphragm
contracts (tightens) and moves downward.
In this way, it could provide a bigger space
for your lungs to expand in the chest cavity.
As your lungs expand, air enters the nose and
mouth, traveling towards your windpipe and
into your lungs.
Breathing out (Exhalation)
When you breathe out (exhale), your
diaphragm relaxes and moves upward
into the chest cavity.
As the space in the chest cavity reduced,
carbon dioxide is pushed out of your lungs
and windpipe, and then out of your nose
or mouth.
