The Respiratory System

By Ben Jenkins 12AM

‘The primary function of the respiratory system is

to supply the blood with oxygen in order for the
blood to deliver oxygen to all parts of the body. The
respiratory system does this through breathing.
When we breathe, we inhale oxygen and exhale
carbon dioxide. This exchange of gases is the
respiratory system's means of getting oxygen to
the blood’.

The Lungs

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The lung is the essential respiration cell. Their principle
function is to transport blood from the atmosphere into
the bloodstream, and also to remove carbon dioxide and

Ben Jenkins12AM
other waste products out of the body, into the
atmosphere.

Every human has two lungs. Each lung is between 10-12

inches long. The two are separated by a structure called
the ‘Mediastinum’. This structure contains the heart,
trachea, oesophagus, and blood vessels. The lungs are
covered by a protective membrane called the pulmonary
pleura.

Lung function usually peeks at late teens, early twenties.

After the early twenties, lung function begins to decline
about 1% each year. It is slightly more for those people
who smoke. Theirs drops about 2% each year due to the
effects of smoking.
The lung has a vital job to do in the body. Each day, you
take about 23,000 breaths, which bring almost 10,000
quarts of air into your lungs. The air that you breathe in
contains several gases, including oxygen that your cells
need to function. With each breath, your lungs add fresh
oxygen to your blood, which then carries it to your cells.
The main function of your lungs is respiration. -
http://www.mamashealth.com/organs/lungs.asp

The lungs are surrounded by membranes known as pleura.

This contains fluid that lubricates the surfaces as the lungs
expand and contract. This prevents friction and keeps
them airtight.

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The lung also has a Visceral Pleura which covers the
surface of the lungs and dips into the spaces between the
lobes.

Bronchi/Bronchioles

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The Bronchi are tubes which carry air from the Trachea
(membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys
inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi) to the inner
recesses of the lungs, where it can transfer oxygen to the
blood in the Alveoli. There are two main types of Bronchi.
We have one going to the right and one going to the left.
Eventually, Bronchi will divide into even smaller branches
called Bronchioles, forming a tree- like network of
branches which extends throughout the spongy lung
tissue.

Ben Jenkins12AM
 The exterior of the Bronchi are composed of elastic,
cartilaginous fibres and feature annular reinforcements of
smooth muscle tissue. The Bronchi are able to expand
during inspiration, to allow the lungs to expand, and
contract during expiration as air is exhaled.

Bronchioles -

These are small airways that extend from the Bronchi.

They end in thick clusters of thin walled air sacs known as
Alveoli.

Alveoli

Alveoli are small air sacs. They account for most of the
lungs volume and allow gaseous exchange to take place.
A dense network of capillaries surrounds the alveoli to
allow the process to take place. Together they form a
respiratory membrane that has gas on one side and blood
flowing past the other. Gaseous exchange happens by
simple diffusion across the membrane. Oxygen passes
from the alveoli into the blood and carbon dioxide leave
the blood and enters the alveoli.

Ben Jenkins12AM
Diaphragm
This structure separates the lungs from the abdomen
area. It is the most important muscle involved in
breathing. As the ‘Diaphragm’ contracts the volume of the
chest cavity increases resulting in air going into the lungs.
This happens during inspiration. When it relaxes the
diaphragm recoils and decreases the volume of the chest
cavity, so air is pumped out (Expiration).

Nasal cavity

When we breathe in, air enters the cavity by passing the

nostrils. Hair in the nose filters out any dust, pollen or
other irritable substances. This happens before the air
passes into the two passages of the nasal cavity. At this
point, air is warmed and moistened before it carries on
into the nasopharynx. A stick mucous layer traps smaller

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foreign particles, which tiny hairs called cilia transport to
the Pharynx to be swallowed.

Epiglottis
This is a small flap of cartilage at the back of the tongue.
This structure closes the top of the trachea when you
swallow to ensure foods and drink goes to your stomach
and not to your lungs.

Pharynx
This funnelled shaped structure connects to the nasal
cavity and the mouth to the Larynx and Oesophagus. It is
also known as the throat. It is a small tube that is about
10-13 from the base of the skull to the level of the sixth
cervical vertebrae. (Adams et al, 2010.
It is made up of skeletal muscle. It is a passageway for
food and drink as well as air, so special adaptations are
required to prevent chocking when food or drink is
consumed.
Larynx
Also known as the voice box, this has rigid walls of muscle
and cartilage. It contains the vital vocal chords and
connects the Pharynx to the Trachea.

Trachea
The Trachea or wind pipe denotes the start of the lower
respiratory tract. It is about 12cm long by 2cm in
diameter. It has rings of cartilage around it to prevent it

Ben Jenkins12AM
from collapsing and is very flexible. It travels down the
neck in front of the oesophagus and branches to the right
and left bronchi.

Thoracic cavity
This is the chamber of the chest that is protected by a
thoracic wall. It is separated from the Abdomen cavity by
the Diaphragm.

Intercostals muscles
These muscles lie between the ribs. To help with
inhalation and exhalation, they extend and contract.
They draw the ribs downwards and inwards, decreasing
the volume of the chest cavity and forcing air out of the
lungs during expiration.
On the other hand, they pull the ribs upwards and
outwards to increase the volume of the chest cavity. This
draws air into the lungs during inspiration.

Bibliography
• Class notes
• OCR book – Adams et al, 2010
• Google images
• http://www.mamashealth.com/organ
s/lungs.asp

Ben Jenkins12AM
Ben Jenkins12AM