Fundamentals of Anatomy,

Physiology in Sports

Inside the Chapters:

r 1. Definition and Importance of Anatomy and Physiology in Exercise and Sports
2. Functions of Skeletal System, Classification of Bone and Types of Joints
3; Funct_ion and Structure of Circulatory System and Heart
4. Function and Structure of Respiratory System.

Anatomy is concerned with the bodily structure of human beings, especially as revealed by dissection and
the separation of parts. It is the study of the structure and relationship between body parts. Physi ology deals
with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts. It is the study of the functions of body parts
and the body as a whole. Kinesiology is the study of the mechanism of body movements. It dea ls with the
study of human movements from the point of view of physical science. The accumulated knowled ge of the
above mentioned three sciences forms the foundation for the study of human movements, integrai to physical
science. It is due to Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology individual differences of players are identifi ed. These
differences are reflection of sportsperson's unique abilities allowing the instructor to take req uired precautions
while making numerous sports related choices.

Human Body System

Skeletal System Muscular System Ci rculato;y System

Respiratory System Digestive System Nervous System

1. Definition and Importance of Anatomy and Physiology in Exercise and Sports

I.I Meaning of Human Anatomy
The study of the human body with respect to atl its parts and their relationships to one another is known
 such
n anatomy. It can be defined as the scientific study of the structural parts of the human body
weight,. structure and locations of all the organs It also involves the st d f ·
1 k'd
shape, size,
as hurna · u y o 1ver, 1 ney,
as kin and intestine.
1ungs, s
ing of Human Physiology
P.4ean : . ,
1.Z . hurnan physiology studies the body s system that functions appropriately. Human anatomy and
one discipline
Basic physiology are inter-related and it is very difficult to separate them. In the absence of
the fu~ction of the organ until
hU;:;stence of the other is not be possible as we cannot com~ to know
ip between human
th rne to know the structure of that organ. Therefore, there 1s a mutual relationsh
we co y and human physiology. .
anatom

importance of Anatomy and Physiology in Physical Education

1·3 The importance of anatomy and physiology are mentioned below:

Anatomy provides the knowledge of the structure of various organs

i.
The study of human anatomy enables us to understand and get the knowledge of
shape, structure, location, size and weight of all the organs of our body. We also
get to know about the length of all the organs such as the liver, kidney, heart, etc.
such knowledge helps various teachers and coaches working in the field of physical
education to select sportsperson on the basis of their traits.

ii. Physiology provides the knowledge of functions of various organs

body.
Physiology helps us gain detailed knowledge about the functions of the various organs of the
It also provides the knowledge of capacities and capabilities o,
the cardiovas cular system, nervous
proper
system, muscular system and the likes. Therefore, a physical education train;::r should have
knowledge of physiology in order to impart physical training.

iii. Helpful in the prevention from sports ir,~uries

fall prey
Sports injuries are quiet common in the field of sports and games. Any sportsperson can
anatomy
to any sports injury like sprain, strain, fracture, contusion, etc. The knowledge of human
various sports training and competit ions. In
and physiology helps to prevent sports injuries during
and delicate organs.
games and sports, protective equipment are used to provide protection to soft
helpful
Apprgpriate knowledge about the functions of muscies, bones, tendons and ligaments are
in the prevention of sports injuries.

iv. Helpful in the process of rehabilitation

player to
Getting injured in the field of games and sports is natural. Proper rehabilitation enables the
t for proper
perform well even after getting injured. The knowledge of human anatomy is importan
rehabilitation process. The knowledge of bones, joints, ligaments and tendons helps in providing
proper rehabilitation.

v. Helpful in the selection of sports

as per
Tht:? knowledge of human anatomy and physiology helps the sportsperson to select a sport
same
his/her. capabilities. As different sports require different types of anatomical structures, the
ical capabilities that are utilised properly in
way as individuals have different types of physiolog
construc tion of
different sports and games. Physiology and anatomy help us know the shape, size,
have
different organs and their functional capabilities. For example, a long distance runner should
less weight, good cardiovascular endurance and good percentage of red or slow twitch fibres.

Harbour

i>l,~sica( Edw:a1iot1 11
 vi. Helpful in the preparation of training programmes
Physical education teachers and coaches should have proper knowledge of human anatorn
physiology in order to prepare good training programmes. It also helps to understand the str; and
and physiological capabilities of an individual or sportspersons. ture

vii. Aid in sports massage

The knowledge of human anatomy and phys!fyology is hetlhpful_ ibn admini_stering sports
massage. In fact, sports massage is used to rectr or sett Ie . e rm aI_a~ces rn soft tissues
which are usually imbalanced by doing strenu~us physr~~I actrvrty _repeatedly. By
administering sports massage before and after exercise or trarnrng, sports rnJuries can b
prevented. It also helps in enhancing th~ sports per!ormance. If we do not have prope~
knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, the tissues may be ruptured while giving
sports massage. So, the knowledge of anatomy and physiology is significant for giving
sports massage.

viii. Facilitate understanding of environmental effects on sportspersons

The knowledge of anatomy and physiology is beneficial in understanding environmental effects
· .0n the sports persons. For example, the number of red blood cells is increased during undergoing
· · sports training at high altitude. Unused air sacs or alveoles in the lungs become active. Heart rate
· and respiratory rate are also increased at such altitude. The study of such effects on sportspersons is
9nly possible through the knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
' 'It can be concluded that human anatomy and physiology play a vital role in physical education
and sports. Without their knowledge, a sportsperson cannot reach the heights in terms of sports
performance. Human anatomy and physiology help in multitude of ways in the field of sports and
games.

ix. Helpful to know about chemical changes during exercises

A number of chemical changes take place, when a sportsperson participates in games and sports
or performs exercises. The knowledge of human physiology helps to make the required changes in
the balanced diet resulting in the enhancement of the sports performance of the sportsperson. The
anatomical and physiological differences of males and females can be well understood from the
knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. There are anatomical and physiological differences
among males and females and thus sports equipment are different for males and females.

2. Function of Skeletal System, Classification of

Bones and Types of Joints
2.1 Skeletal System Thorax

The adult human skeletal system consists of 206 bones along

with a network of tendons, ligaments and cartilage that connects
them. The skeletal system performs vital functions such as
support, movement, protection, blood cell production, calcium
Carpus
storage and endocrine regulation. The skeletal system includes Metacarpus
all the bones and joints in the body. Each bone is a complex
living organ that is made up of many cells, protein fibers, and
minerals. The skeleton acts as a scaffold by providing support
and protection to the soft tissues that make up the rest of the
body. The skeletal system also provides attachment points for
muscles to allow movements at the joints.
The skeletal system has two distinctive parts:
i. Axial Skeleton ii. Appendicular Skeleton Structure of Human Skeletal System
 Axial Ske leto n
j. eton consists of the v
With a tota l of 80 bone s, the axial skel l skel eton t . erte bral colu mn, the ribcage, the skull
and the ster num or brea stbo ne. The axia th
ies dow n to the lowe r extr s e. w_e i~ht from the head, the trun k
em~ ;:::tth
and the upp er extr emit
e hip Joints that furth er helps hum an
to main tain an upri ght post ure.

Axia l Ske leto n Appendicular Skeleton

- --
~
{(Y
Skull
/e'J,..f?
I 6"..iS
'd

Hand · •
I
I

Leg

Foot
\

The skull
bone s inclu ding the ossicles of the ear.
a. Skull: The skul l cons ists of 28 diffe rent s.
consists of cran iumthat prot ects the brain and the facial bone
It supp orts
form s the central part of the skel eton .
b. Vertebral colu mn: The vert ebra l colu mn for the ribs, the pect oral and
spin al cord . It also serves as atta chm ent
the skul l and prot ects the
pelv ic gird les.
consists of a
disti nctiv e bow -shaped curve. Each rib
c. Ribs: Ribs are flat, narr ow bone s with a and the shaft.
h is a shor t dista nt back from the head
head or cap itulu m, a sma ll tube rcle whic
12 vert ebra e of the thor acic regio n.
Twe lve pairs of ribs artic ulat e with the
15-18 cm long
long, flat, dagg er-s hape d bone, abo ut
d. Sternum or brea stbo ne: Ster num is a the colla r bone s.
t regio n. The broa d upp er end supp orts
and is foun d in the cen ter of the ches the ster num .
to the artic ulat ing facets on the sides of
The first seve n pair s of ribs are atta ched ax that prot ects
of ribs and the ster num form s the thor
The 12 thor acic vert ebra e, the 12 pair
ax, viz., the hea rt and lungs.
the delic ate and vital orga ns of the thor

ii. Appendicular Ske leto n

ic gird le and the
endi cula r skel eton is form ed by the pect oral girdles, the upp er limb s, the pelv
App runn ing and othe r
s. The ir func tion s are to mak e walk ing,
lower limb s and has a tota l of 126 bone stion , excr etion and
or orga ns that are resp onsi ble for dige
niov eme nts poss ible and to proj ect maj
Know..1,_ _ _ __
repr oduc tion ·
ists of two
a. Pec-t oral girdles: Pec tora l gird le cons The stapes, in the mid dle ear, is
colla r bone s
shou lder blad es (sca pula e) and two the sma llest and light est bon e
one anot her,
(clavicles) . The se bon es eloq uen t with of the hum an skel eton .
allow ing som e mov eme nts.
Harbo ur

P'i~sica( €dCAcaftot1 11
 are divided into five main regions such
b. Upper limbs: The skeleton of the uppe r limbs or arms
ulna), the wrist, the palm of the hand and th
as an uppe r arm bone, the forearm (radius and e
finge r~
y hip bones. Each hip bone consists of
c. Pelvic girdle: Pelvic girdle consists of two large, sturd three
the pubis. The ilium is the largest of the
i three fused bones name ly the ilium, ischium and
I, ischium forms the interi or part of the hip bone
I: and forms the uppe r part of the hip bones. The
I,
and the pubis the central in front.
divid ed into five main regions such as the
d. Lower limbs: The skeleton of the lowe r limbs is
of the foot and the toes.
uppe r leg (thigh), the lowe r leg, the ankle, the arch

Functions of Skeletal System

ions of
of key funct ions in the huma n body. The key funct
The huma n skeletal system perfo rms a numb er
the huma n skeletal system are:
body.
a. Support: The bones provi de rigidi ty needed by our
•
internal organs from damage.
b. Protection: The rigidi ty of our bones protects the
the muscles as they are anchored to the bones.
c. Movement: With out stron g bones we cann ot move
in essential minerals.
d. Storage: The bones are a storehouse for fat and certa
ts are made in the bones.
e. Blood cell formation: Most of the blood comp onen

2.2 Cla111flcatlon of Bones

. They
and structure. Bones can be classified into five types
Bones are classified on Jhe basis of their shape
are:
3. Flat bone 4. Irregular bone
i. Long bone s (Sternum) (Vert ebra) , right lateral view

ii. Shor t bone s Vertebra

Stern um
n/
iii. Flat bone s

iv. Irreg ular bone s

1. Long bone
(Humerus)
v. Sesarnoid bone s

2. Short
i. Long bones bone (Talus)
Each long bone is comp osed
of a centr al shaft and two
knob ends. A fibre shee t Lateral
covers the whol e area of long unefform .~~! lii,. J
bone, excep t are it joints with S. Sesamoid bone
othe r bone . Bones of upper
and lowe r arm, thigh and leg i ' Medial '
and fin gers and toes come Patella ~ cuneifo rm

unde r these t'ype$ .of bo.nes. -~

~

For example: Hum erus, ulna,

fem ur, tib ia, fi b ula. Classification of Bones
 short bone s
bones are cube shape d and are comp. osed 0 f central spong y bone covered by a thin layer of
These b e t-he bones of ankles and
cof11Pac\ .o? ·. .- wrists ab,e examples of short bones. .,--
•
·,:.;-,e:,M etatar sal bones, Carpal bones • . _i
forexamJJ ' :: ·0

flat bone s
jii, bones are thin and flat. They are comp os ed O f central layer of spong y bone fixed betwe en two
These shoulders are flat bones .
outer layers of comp act bone. The bones of the ribs, and

Irregular bone s
j\f, .
types. They are simila r to short bones and
These bones have com_plex shape s as comp ared to other
skull are irregu lar bones .
flat bones . Bones of spina l colum n and some bones of

sesamoid bone s
like patella , pisifo rm, etc.
These bones are seed like and devel op in the tendo ns,

functions of Bone s
The impor tant functi ons of bones are given below :
suppo rt the whole body.
Support: The bones are princi pal organ s of suppo rt. They
i.
and delica te organ s of the body such as
ii,. Protection: Bones provid e prote ction for some of the soft
skull and pelvis.
ment of the
t of Muscles: Bony system provid es surfaces for the attach
iii, Serves for the Attac hmen ment for the soft part s, maint ains them in
skeletal muscl es. This bony frame work affords attach
g intern al pressures and gives stabil ity to
position, shelte rs them, helps to contro l and direct varyin
the whole body.
g the body. It may provid e long or short
iv. Gives Shape to the Body: Bones play a vital role in shapin
stature.
in doing work easily.
v. Act as Levers: Bones act as levers in our body. These help
e instru ments of locom otion or move ments .
vi. Passive Instru ment s of Loco motio n: Bones are passiv
In fact, these enabl e us to move .

Joints of Bones
, then it is called a joint. The study of joints is called
When two or more bones of the skele ton come in a union
times separated by a thin memb rane, some times
Arthrology. A joint or an articu lation of the bones is some
g joints , are comm only separ ated.
by connective tissue, or fibroc artilag e and, in the freely movin

2.3 Type of Joints

ural comp ositio n, joints can be classi fied in three
According to the amou nt of move ment and their struct
types as given below .
i. · Immo vable Joints or Synar throsi s Joints.
ii.
: Slightly Mova ble Joints or Amph arthro sis Joints.
iii. _· Freely Mova ble Joints or Diarth rosis Joints .

i.
Imm ovab le Join ts
are conne cted by fibrou s tissue .
These are also know n as fibrou s joints becau se the bones
in the bones of skull and face.
These joints are fixed and do not move . These are found
Harbour
i>h~sical -td&Acafton 11
 Hinge joint Pivot joint

y-
Ball and socket joint

Elbow Leg Shoulder

Humerus
Fibula
Humerus

Types ofJoints
ii. Slightly Movable Joints
In this type of joints, surface of bones.are separated by some substance and they can make only
slight movement. They are of two varieties-
a. Symphysis b. Synchondrosis
a. Symphysis: When two long bony surfaces are connected in a joint by a broad, flat disc of
fibrocartilage, it is known as symphysis.
b. Synchondrosis: It is a temporary form of joint. Before adulthood, the cartilage is changed to
bone. These joints are found between the diaphysis and epiphyses of the long bones.

m. Freely Movable Joints or Diarthroses:

These joints are also called synovial joints. A human
body have most of the joints of this type. The
adjacent of the bones are covered with a cartilage Bon,e----r
known as hyaline cartilage. They are surrounded by
a fibrous articular capsule, which is strengthened by Synovial
membrane
ligaments. Tendons of muscles pass over these joints
Articular Articular
and play an important role in stabilising the joint. The Cartilage capsule
opposing bones are provided a smooth surface by
the hyaline cartilage. They are lubricated by synovial Joint cavity
Bone--- containing
fluid. Such joints can be classified in six categories. synovial fluid
-a. Gliding Joints: Joints, which permit only
gliding movements, are called gliding joints.
These joints are found in the carpel bone of the Synovial Joint
wrist and between tarsal bone of the ankle.
b. Hinge Joints: Joints, which permit angular
movement in one direction, are called hinge
joints. The movements of these joints are
called extension and flexion. They are known
as humerus and ulna, in the knee and ankle
joints, respectively.

c. Condyloid Joints: Joints, which allow

angular movement in two directions, are
called condyloid joints, e.g., the wrist joint.
Movements of these joints include extension
adduction, flexion and circumduction, but
have no rotation.
Hinge Joint
 Phrot Joints : Joints, with a rotary movem ent
d. on one axis are called pivot joints. A pivoted
process rotates within a ring being formed of
bones and cartilag e.
saddle Joints: Joints which permit a great
e.
movem ent are called saddle joints, e.g., joint
of thumb. It enable s the thumb to appose the
fingers.

f. Ball and Socket Joints: Joints having an

Condy loid Joint

/~l
angula r movem ent as well as pivot movem ent
are called ball and socket joins. In such joints, a Sptne
rounde d head lies in cup-lik e cavity. Exam ples
of such joints are the should er joint and th e
hip joint. I

3
Function and Structure of Circulatory System Pub,c
bone
Pub,(
tx,ne
l
I
· and Heart
I
ure of Circu latory Syste m I
3.I Struct I

Circulatory system is a group of organs that transports the

blood and the substances it carries to and from all parts of
the body. For the body to be mainta ined in a state of good Ball and Socket Join t
health, the individ ual cells, tissues and organs must have
there must be removal of carbo n
a continuous supply of oxygen and other nutrien ts. Along with this,
n of transpo rting these materia ls
dioxide and waste produc ts. The body system with the specialised functio
h which the blood is consta ntly
to and from, is the circula tory system - the heart and blood vessels throug
s, veins and ca pillaries) and is
moving. The circula tory system include s the heart and blood vessels (arterie
aclosed system throug h which blood flows continuously.
follow ing heads:
For a better unders tandin g, this system can be stud ied under the
ii. Arterie s iii. Veins iv. Capillaries
i. Heart

i. Heart
The heart is a hollow muscu lar organ
that pumps blood throug hout the
blood vessels to various parts of Superio r
the body by repeate d, rhythm ic Vena Cava
contractions. The heart is enclose d
in a protect ive sac known as the
pericardium which contain s a
lubricating pericar dia! fluid. The
outer wall of the heart is made up of
three layers, i.e., the epicard ium, the
myocardium and the endoca rdium.
The heart is divided into four main Septum
chambers: the two upper chamb ers
are called the left atrium and the right
atrium (plural atria) and the two lower
~harnbers are called the right and the Structure of Human Heart
which separates the right side
eft ventricle. There is a dividin g wall of muscle, called the septum ,
separates the ventric le~, the
of th e heart from the left side of the heart. The part of the septum that
atrial septum .
ventricular septum is thicker than that which separates the atria, the
Harbour
Pl,~sica( -Edc.tea1iot1 11
 The heart has four chambers
a. The right atrium receives blood from the veins and pumps it to the right
ventricle.
b. The right ventricle receives blood from the right atrium and pumps it to
the lungs, where it .
.
loaded with oxygen-: •. IS

C. The left atrium·receixes oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it
to the left ventricle.
d. The left ventrid ~--··(the strongest chamber) pumps oxygen-rich blood
to th e rest of
the body.
e. The left ventricle's vigorous contractions create our blood pressure.

Location of Heart
The heart is a muscular organ about the size of a fist, located just behind
and slightl y left to the
breastbone. The heart is at the level of the thoracic vertebrae. The heart
rests on th e dia phragm,
beneath the sternum and ribs, and has two sides adjacent to the right and
left lungs.
a. · The left ventricle and some of the right ventricle rest on the central tendon of the
.1 dia phragm.
I: At the posterior edge of the surface is the coronary sulcus.
.Ii
I
b. The side opposite the apex is the base of the hei:lrt and i~ the most subseq
ji · heart. It mainly consists of the left atrium and some· of the parts closest
uent sect ion of the
to th e heart of the
right atrium, inferior and superior vena cava, and pulmon ary veins.
C. The side of the heart facing the sternum and ribs
consists mostly of the right ventricle with some of Know.?,_ _ _ __
the right atrium and left ventricle also present. The
coronary sulcus runs down this surface. You r hea rt is th e hardest
I
working muscle in your body.
J; d. Facing the left lung is the left ventricle and some of It beats approximately 100,000
the left atrium, and facing the right lung is the right times per day, pumpi ng almost
ventricle and some of the right atrium. 2,000 gallons of bl ood.

;Structure of the Heart

·The human heart has a ma ss of betwee n 250 and 350 gra ms and
is about the size of a
large fist.

Function of the Heart

The functions of heart.are as follows:

a. Systemic circ:~latlon: Systemic circulation moves blood between the heart and the rest
of the
body. It sends oxygenated blood out to cells and returns oxygen deplete
d blood to the heart.
b. Pulmonary circulation: Pulmonary circulation moves blood between the heart and
the
lungs. It transports oxygen depleted blood to the lungs to absorb oxygen
and re lease carbon
dioxide. The . oxygen~ted blood then flows back to the heart.

ii. Arter1es
Classification of Arteries
Arteries may be divided into the followin g classes:

a. Elastic Arteries: Those large arteries leading directly from the heart (the aorta and pulmona
ry
artery) include these arteries . Since these arteries conduc t blood from
the heart to the
muscular arteries . They are also known as conduc ting arteries. They are
very large and may be
upto 3 cm in diamete r. They have more elasticity to bear the shock of contrac
tion of heart.
 b, Muscular Arteries:
.
These arteries are
. .
o f me d 1um size. 5 ince they distribu te
the blood to th~ v~rious organs , they
are also called distrib uting arteries .

,. Arterioles: These are also muscul ar

. b h much smaller in
arteries ut t ese are Left main
· coronary
size. The blood pressure of the bod artery

in general is mainta ined by thes~ l eft circumfl ex

arteries. artery
Marginal
branch of left

Ill, Veins
... co ronary artery
Left anterior
Veins are such blood vessels throug h which descending
artery
the blood flows towa rds the heart. These
vessels are made up of less numbe r of
smooth muscle fibres and more numbe r of
elastic fibres.
Classifi cation of Arteries
iv, Capillaries
The capillaries are the smaller and
thinnest vessels in the circulation Impur e Blood ➔ Right Auricle -) Right Ventri cle

system . Its structu re has adapted t -=:- ~-- --- - i

to its functio n in an ideal way. The Bd ( Circulation at a Glance) Lungs
walls are made up on on·ly one layer o y ·
i
of cells. The interch ange of gases t
and substances betwee n blood and Aorta +- Leh Ventri cle 4- Left Auricl e
tissues take place here.

Functions of;~~~ I;.:~~~:_.:: ;\

by products of cellular reactions,
Capillaries deti0._;/~ob:ie ~ti ;nd &~ygen to tissues and remove the
where the opposite is true,
such as car~o~· di'ox,1cfe and water. With the exception of the
lungs,
and carry away deoxygenated
capillaries brin~ :Oxygenated blood, blood-carrying oxygen , to organs
blood, blood ~th _the oxygen removed .

3.Z Functl0n1 of Circulatory System

The primary function of the ci rculatory
Circulatory system plays an import ant role in the human body.
oxygen , food material and hormones
system is to give consta nt suppor t inside the body by transporting
including blood.
to thetissue cells and removi ng waste products from different organs

The different functio ns of the circulatory system are as follows:

i. The heart pu~ps and circulates blood throug hout the body.
ii. Arteries enable pure blood to pass throug hout the body.
ts takes place.
iii. In capillaries, the exchange of nutrients, oxygen and waste produc
body and CO 2 from the cells of the
iv. Blood carries oxygen from the lungs to the different parts of the
body to the lungs.
all the parts of the body.
V. . Blood carries digeste d food and nutrients ~nd supplies them to
of the body.
Vi. Blood carries hormon es from the endocrine glands to different organs
te to the kidneys for excretion.
Vii. Blood carries waste produc ts like urea, lactic acid, uric acid and sulpha
from diseases.
vii i. Blood regulates the body temperature and also protects the body
Harbour
Ph~•ical ~J"oa~ott 11
 Carefully read the above topic and complete the given flow chart.

[ Circulatory System 1
I
I I I
I 1-:ieart
I 1--~--~--~-..... -.. ·-- 1
I
·- .-- -·--·•····
I
j j j I
Systemic ·····•·•··" ··•" ·'•"•""' " ''' '"""' " ' Smooth Elastic Fibres
Circulation Circulation Muscle Fibres

I Arteries
I
i ! 7

I ..
I
Elastic Arteries
I..... ····· . ·········-··-·· I
4. Function and Structure of Respiratory System
4.1 Structure of Respiratory System
Respiratory system is a
mechanism to take oxygen
inside and throw away carbon
dioxide. No one needs to
be told how important the
respiratory system is. It serves
the body much as a life-line Nasal Cavity Plus
as an oxygen tank serves a Paranasal Sinuses
deep-sea diver. Man needs Nostril - - - - - - - Oral Cavity
molecular oxygen for the
- - - - - - - Pharynx
oxidative energy production
Larynx - - - - - - -r.... Left main (Primary)
from carbohydrates, fats , - - -- Bronchus
Trachea _________,,,,
and proteins. The process of
oxygen supply to the cells
and the transport of carbon - - - - > r -- Bronchi
dioxide from the cells is called
Right main
respiration. Bronchus - -+----r
..-~---4-- Al veoli
After the inhalation of oxygen
some chemical change take Right Lung - -i----;+1
M-1-----+- Left Lung
place, waste products are Parietal P:eura - - -~
formed then exhalation of
Ribs----✓
waste products takes place. - - - - ~ aphragrn
The process of inhalation
of 0 2 and exhalation CO 2 + Structure of Respiratory System
Hp is called respiratory process. There are various organs of respiratory system which play vital role in
respiration. These are given below:
i. Nose ii. Pharynx iii. Trachea
iv. Bronchi V. Diaphragm vi. Lungs
 Nose .
j. is the most import ant. organ to smell a d ·th . .
.
The nose . . n I as a signific ant part in respira tion. It consist s
of two parts - the interna l cav1t1es and the externa l feature .
a partitio n or septum .
a. Interna l or Nasal Cavities: _These two cavities are separa ted by
coarse hair. The hair of
At the entranc e, each cavity and vestibu le has numero us
th e filters to remove particle s that may be carried in with the
the cavit_ies serve as
inhaled air.
and cartilag e covere d by
b. External F~atur e:_It is compo sed of a triangu lar framew ork of bone
g, called nostrils .
skin. In the inner side of the nose, there are two oval-sh aped openin

ii, a. Phary nx
mouth. The pharyn x is a tubula r
Besides the nose, air can also enter into the lungs throug h the
allowin g the air to pass from
structur e that is positio ned behind the oral and nasal cavities further
the mouth to the lungs.
The pharyn x contain s three parts:
cavity.
• Nasop harynx that connec ts the upper part of the throat with the nasal
the soft palate.
• Oroph arynx that is positio ned betwee n the top of the epiglot tis and
Laryng ophary nx that is located below the epiglott is.

b. Larynx
as the voice box. The larynx
From the pharyn x, air enters into the larynx which is commo nly known
passag eway for air to enter into
is the part of upper respira tory tract that has two main functio ns: a
hyoid bone and cartilag e that
the lungs, and a source of vocalis ation. The larynx is made up of the
re contain ed in the larynx that
helps regulat e the flow of air. Epiglot tis is a flap-like cartilag e structu
protects the trachea aga inst food aspirati on.

iii. Trachea
of c-shape d ringed cartilag e that
The trachea is also known as the windpi pe. The trachea is made up
filters the air we inhale. The trachea branche s into the bronch i.

iv. Bronchi
of c-shape d ringed cartilag e
The bronch i allows the passag e of air to the lungs. The trachea is made
us is shorter and wider than the
that divides into the right and left bronch us. The right main bronch
bronch i, while the left one is
left main bronch us. The right bronch us is subdivi ded into three lobar
branch form the trachea and
divided into two lobar bronch i. The bronch i are the two air tubes that
carry atmosp heric air directly into the lungs.
v. Diaph ragm
of the ribcage is known as
A sheet of interna l skeleta l muscle that extend s across the bottom
and ribs) from the abdom inal
diaphra gm. The diaphra gm separat es the thoraci c cavity (heart, lungs
of thoraci c cavity increas es
cavity. It perform s an import ant functio n in respira tion. The volume
When it contrac ts and-air is drawn into the lungs.
Vi. Lungs
organs of respira tion . These are ,
In t he human body, there are two lungs. These lungs are the vital
Harbour ~
~sica ( -Edc.cafeott 11 ~ '-I
 cone-shaped organs with the apex above. The base of the lungs lies resting on the fioor of
thoracic cavity on the diaphragm. The lungs are divided into lobes by fissures. The left lun th e
two lobes and right lung has three lobes. Each of these tube enters each lobule and, as it fu~t~as
divides and sub-divides its walls become thinner and thinner and, finally, end in the air sa er
I
~ ~
the lungs.
During inspiration, air passes through nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and
ultimately, to the alveoli, the functional unit of the lungs. Inspiration is caused by the contraction ;
0
diaphragm and external inter-coastal muscles, allowing air to rush in.

4.2 Types of Respiration

There are two types of respiration, i.e., internal respiration and
external respiration. The detail is given below:

i. External Respiration
External respiration or breathing is a process of inhaling
the air into the lungs and expelling the air containing more
carbon-dioxide from the lungs to the outer environment.
The exchange of gases in and out of the blood also takes
place simultaneously. External respiration is a physical
process where the oxygen is taker. up by the capillaries of
lung alveoli and carbon dioxide is released from blood.
External Respiration (Human Lungs)
ii. Internal Respiration
Internal respiration or cellular respiration is a metabolic process where the oxygen is released to the
tissues and carbon dioxide is absorbed by the blood. Inside the cell, oxygen is utilised for production
of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

4.3 Function of Respiratory System

The continuous supply of oxygen is indispensable for survival. If this supply is suspended for more than

.. ...
four minutes, the
. .
individual usually dies. "
So the main function of
the respiratory system
is to supply oxygen to
• I• I

. .
•

.
~4 )}~-.
.. .. . .

the cells of the body

continuously. , -. ,
; .•• '.I .~.'- ;:r,i'. .....
~- ~
~ '.

,·: \~ ~ . \-If•.,
The next important .\ ·-- ;; \ J(
function of this system -,. _.-t · i' rt
is to exhale carbon
dioxide, water vapour ( ~·: , ·. : ; _\ ; Lung
and other waste
products from the body.
These two functions
:· \ \ t..
\/
IF'"·..
NHALATION
Diaphragm
Diaphragm

are performed by ,, contracts

internal and external (moves down)
\
respiration.
Functions of Respiratory System
 Mechanism of Respiration
j,
·ration is a process by which the lungs d . .
Resp, . . . expan to take in air and after that contract to expel the
and
air outside_- The c_o~plete re~p,ration process involves all the muscles of the head, neck, thorax
th main
abdomen in addition to e involunta ry muscles of larynx, trachea and bronchi. However, the
m
muscles of respiratio n in normal breathing are the intercostal muscles and diaphragm. Mechanis
of respiration involves inspiratio n and expiration, which are stated below.

jj, inspiration
~nd
When we inhale, the intercosta l muscles contract actively to expand the chest cavity. Ribs
to
sternum move upwards and outwards . Width of the chest increases from side to side from front
back and from top to bottom.

The diaphrag m also contracts , moves downwards and the depth of the chest increases. The capacity
fill
of the thorax increases. The pressure between pleural surfaces is reduced. Lungs expand to
into
thoracic cavity. Air pressure within alveoli is now less than atmospheric pressure. Air is sucked
alveloi from atmosph ere.

iii. Expiration
When we exhale, the intercostal muscles relax. Ribs and sternum move downward and inwards.
.
Diaphragm moves upwards. The depth of the chest diminishes. The capacity of thorax decreases
The pressure increases and forces the air to go out of the lungs.

Workout