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A Complete Guide to the Respiratory System

BY JOHN FURST PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 6, 2017 UPDATED FEBRUARY 2, 2017

respiratory-systemThe respiratory system is made up of the nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box),
trachea (windpipe), bronchi (air passages) and alveoli.

The lungs are protected by the rib cage. Normal respiration depends on the movement of the rib cage
which moves up and out on inspiration and down and in on expiration. The movement of the rib cage is
brought about by the contraction and relaxation of the internal and external intercostal muscles.

When the intercostal muscles contract the rib cage moves up and out (inspiration). When the intercostal
muscles relax, the rib cage moves down and in (expiration). During exercise of respiratory distress other
muscles can be involved called the accessory muscles.

Contraction & relaxation of the intercostal muscles, movement of the rib cage and therefore breathing is
influenced by many factors including:

Exercise / immobility

Heat / cold

Stress / sleep

Nutrition / hydration
Disease / trauma

The two lungs are connected and adhered to the rib cage by a layer of fibrous tissue called the pleural
membrane. This has two layers and these must be intact for normal breathing to occur. The outer
parietal pleura forms a protective cover for the lungs and is adhered to the rib cage. The inner visceral
pleura layer forms a smooth coating and is adhered to the alveoli. Between the two layers is a thin space
called the pleural space and this contains a thin film of fluid called pleural fluid that minimises friction
and helps smooth movement of the lungs.

When the rib cage moves up and out the lungs are also pulled up and out and when this happens, air is
sucked into the lungs. When the ribs move down and in, so do the lungs and air flows out of the lungs.

The movement of the diaphragm also determines movement of the lungs. The diaphragm is a dome
shaped tough skeletal muscle that divides the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm
has its own nerve supply called the vagus nerve. When the diaphragm contracts, the lungs are pulled
down and this helps to open the alveoli and increase air entry. When the diaphragm relaxes, the lungs
are pushed up slightly and this increases the movement of air out of the alveoli.

Each lung is divided into lobes, fissures and lobules. The right lung has three lobes, the left lung two.
Each lung has one bronchus (large air passage) that subdivides into smaller passageways (secondary
bronchi) and smaller passages (tertiary bronchi) until they form tiny bronchioles that terminate in an
alveoli. There are about 25 passage divisions between the trachea and the alveoli.Pulmonary Alveoli

When the lungs are pulled up and out by the movement of the rib cage, the alveoli are pulled open and
become larger so air can enter freely. When the rib cage relaxes, so do the lungs and the alveoli become
smaller and air flows out. This opening and closing of the alveoli is very like the action of a bellows.
When the bellows are big, air is sucked in. When the bellows are small, air is pushed out.

The alveoli function as a tiny air sac that permits the movement of oxygen into the blood and the
movement of carbon dioxide out of the blood. Each of the alveoli in each lung has its own blood supply
from the pulmonary capillaries. As air enters the alveoli, the oxygen level is high (21%) and it flows across
the alveolar wall into the capillary blood stream. In the blood the carbon dioxide level is high and it flows
from the blood into the alveoli. In this way there is a gas exchange that permits valuable oxygen to
enter the body and toxic carbon dioxide to leave.
Deoxygenated blood leaves the right side of the heart and is pumped to the lungs. When it reaches the
lungs it flows to the alveoli via tiny pulmonary capillaries. Gas exchange occurs and the oxygen rich blood
flows to the left side of the heart. From here it is pumped to the whole body where the oxygen is used
by the tissues.

At the tissues, gas exchange occurs so that the oxygen goes into the cells and carbon dioxide comes out.
The carbon dioxide is pumped to the right side of the heart and the whole cycle begins again.

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