3.
6 – The Respiratory System
The system that is made up of the nose, mouth, trachea, bronchi
and lungs.
Works with the circulatory system to provide oxygen for the body and
remove carbon dioxide.
Upper Respiratory Tract
Nasal Cavity Filters, warms and moistens incoming air.
Pharynx Short, muscular tube extending about 12.7 cm from the nasal
(throat) cavity and mouth to the esophagus and trachea.
Separates the digestive system (by allowing the passage of
foods) and the respiratory system (by allowing the passage of
air).
Epiglottis Flap-like piece of tissue at the top of the larynx that covers its
opening when swallowing is occurring.
Larynx Structure sits on top of the trachea.
(voice box) Air rushing across two ligaments causes sounds that we
shape into speech.
Lower Respiratory Tract
Trachea Tough, flexible tube that carries air to and from the lungs.
(windpipe) The walls of the trachea are supported by C - shaped
cartilage rings that prevent it from collapsing.
Bronchi Trachea divides to form a right and left branch called primary
bronchi (singular: bronchus).
Each bronchus passes into a lung.
Lungs Two broad, cone-shaped organs located on either side of the
heart.
Each lung is divided into lobes separated by deep grooves or
fissures.
Right lung (larger and has three lobes)
Left lung (only two lobes)
Bronchiole Smaller and smaller passageways that come off the bronchi.
Alveoli The bronchioles branch to form even smaller passageways
that open into clusters of cup-shaped air sacs called alveoli
(singular: alveolus).
Provide enormous surface area for gas exchange.
Network of capillaries surrounds each alveolus.
Oxygen passes from the alveoli into capillaries.
Carbon dioxide passes from the capillaries into alveoli.
Pleural Thin membrane surrounding each lung and lining the thoracic
membrane cavity.
Secretes fluid to lubricate lungs so that they can slide.
Diaphragm
Muscular membrane separating the thoracic cavity from the
abdominal cavity.
The base of each lung rests directly on the diaphragm.
Rib Cage
Forms a wall around the lungs, protecting them.
Muscles allow rib cage to expand and contract to allow breathing.
Mechanics of Breathing
The respiratory system involves a method of moving air into and out of the lungs.
Inhalation Exhalation
Drawing air into the lungs. Pushing air out of the lungs.
1. Diaphragm contracts (becomes less 1. Diaphragm relaxes (becomes more
dome shaped). domed shaped).
2. Rib muscles contract. 2. Rib muscles relax.
3. Rib cage moves up and out. 3. Rib cage moves down and in.
Increase the volume of the thoracic Decrease the volume of the thoracic
cavity, causing the pressure in the cavity, causing the pressure in the
lungs to become lower than air lungs to become greater than air
pressure, and air will move into the pressure and air is forced out of the
lungs. lungs.
Control of Breathing by the Nervous System
Involuntary action – we don’t have
to think about it!
We can override it to stop breathing
or control it to talk.
Rate and depth of breathing is controlled
by the breathing centre located in the
Medulla oblongata of the brain.
Detects concentration of carbon dioxide
in the blood and sends signals to the
diaphragm, rib muscles and heart.
Breathing increases and heart beats faster.
Gas Exchange
Main purpose of the respiratory system is gas exchange.
Oxygen enters and carbon dioxide leaves the bloodstream in the lungs by
diffusion.
The alveoli function to exchange gases from the blood to the air and vice
versa.
Alveoli Structure and Function
Small size (0.1 to 0.2 mm in diameter) maximizes surface area and allows for
faster exchange of gases.
Walls of the capillaries and the alveoli are each made up of a single layer of
cells for quick gas exchange.
A film of lipoprotein covers the alveoli. This lowers surface tension and
prevents the alveoli from collapsing.
There is a lot of blood supplied to the alveoli via capillaries. This allows for
faster exchange of gases
There are approximately 150 million alveoli. The large number increases
surface area.
Diseases & Disorders of the Respiratory System
Asthma: Respiratory disease often caused by
an allergy that is marked by tightness in the
chest and difficulty in breathing.
Bronchitis: Inflammation of the mucous
membrane of the bronchial tubes.
Pneumonia: Disease of the lungs marked by
inflammation and caused by bacteria or viruses.
100 different kinds!
Emphysema: Respiratory disease marked by
breathlessness that is brought on by the
enlargement of the alveoli in the lungs. Usually
results from exposure to toxins like cigarettes as
well as air pollution, dust, chemical fumes, and
irritants.
Tuberculosis: Infectious, inflammatory disease of the lungs caused by bacteria
that causes tissue damage. Symptoms include: fever, cough, weight loss,
tiredness, and chest pain. If untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Cystic fibrosis: Genetic disease in which, among other things, the mucous
membranes of the respiratory tract produce a thick, sticky mucus that clogs
airways.
SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Disorder)
Early 2003, spread from China to 37 countries around the world.
Civet cats, suspected to be carriers of SARS.
High fever, shortness of breath, dry cough, sore throat, headache, muscle
pain, exhaustion.
H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza)
New influenza virus of swine origin and was first
described in April of 2009.
Causes symptoms similar to those of the regular
human influenza.
Infected more than 98,000 people and caused 440
deaths worldwide.
