Respiratory System

Reported by: C.M. Herrera

1. Respiration
Respiration involves two kinds of process: external respiration, absorption of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide from the lungs, and the internal respiration, gaseous exchange between the cells of the body are their fluid medium. Gaseous exchange between the blood and air occurs only in the alveoli. Approximately 20 million alveoli are present at birth. This number increases to about 399 million during the first 6-10 years of life.

2. Respiratory Tract

Nose Pharynx Larynx Trachea Bronchi Bronchial Tube alveoli

a. Le Nose
The main entrance and exit to the respiratory system is the nose. The nose is connected to the winding passages that warm and filter the air as it passes through the respiratory tract. In addition, the nostrils are lined with hairs that filter out dust, pollens and other small particles from the air. These particles also stick to the mucous membranes that line the nasal passages, If they build up, sneezing forces them out.

b. Da Pharynx
Another name from the throat is pharynx. The pharynx serves as a passage from two systems: the respiratory and the digestive. It is like a funnel that leads from the nose and the mouth to the windpipe. It also assumes an important function in the formation of sound particularly in the creation of vowel sounds. The pharynx is lined with cilia, which are tiny hairlike parts that help filter air on its way to the lungs.

c. Mi Larynx
The larynx or voicebox connects the pharynx with the trachea. Its opening is at the base of the tongue. The larynx is broad shaped like a triangular box. It consists of cartilages united by muscles as well as ligaments. Air passing over the vocal chords in the larynx produces sounds.

d. Ta Trachea
Air travels from the pharynx to a tube called trachea. The trachea, or windpipe is a cylindrical tube about 4-5 inches in length in 1.5 cm wide. The trachea is tough flexible passageway where air can move through all the time. Because the air crosses that path of food at the back of the throat, a special flap called epiglottis covers the trachea whenever food is swallowed to keep it from going down to the wrong pipe. Like the pharynx, trachea in lined with cilia. The cilia continue to clean the air as it passes by. The bottom of the trachea branches into two narrow tubes called bronchi. Each bronchus leads into one lung.

e. La Lungs
The lungs are cone-shaped organs which fills the chest cavity. Inside the lungs, the bronchi which are covered by cilia branch into thousands of tiny bronchi which are covered by cilia branch into thousands of tiny bronchioles and within film of mucus that traps pollen dust. Each bronchiole ends in a cluster of airs sacs called alveoli. The alveoli greatly increase the diffusion surface of the lungs. This large surface area is important for the quick exchange of oxygen and waste gases. There are about 300 million of alveoli in each lung.

Each lung is covered by a thin smooth membrane called the pleural membrane. A second pleural membrane lines the interior of the thoracic cavity into which the lungs hang. Within the cavity, the weight of the lungs is supported by water, the interpleural fluid. It also permits an even application of pressure to all part of the lung.

3. The Mechanics of Breathing

The active pumping of air in and out through the lungs is called breathing. During inhalation, muscular contraction causes the walls of the chest cavity to expand so that the rib cages moves outward and upward. When the space inside the lungs increases, the air pressure inside the lungs decreases. Because the air pressure outside the lungs is greater than that of inside the lungs, air moves into the lungs.

During exhalation, the contracted rib muscles and diaphragm relax. The ribs move down and in, the diaphragm moves up, and the space in the lungs decreases. The air pressure inside the lungs is greater than the air pressure outside. In order to equalize the air pressure, air moves out of the lungs.

4. Exchange of Gases
As O2 moves into the bloodstream, the CO2 moves into the alveoli. Since the alveoli are coated with a moist film, O2 are dissolved and diffused into the capillaries. The red blood cells in the capillaries release the CO2 and replace it with O2. The CO2 diffuses out of the capillaries and into the moist film of the alveoli. The CO2 is then exhaled from the lung.

After the blood receives O2 from the lungs and release CO2 to the lungs, the blood flows back to the heart. The heart pumps this O2 rich blood into all body cells. Blood plasma carries about 0.3 mL of oxygen per 100 mL. To support the oxygen needs of a person at rest, the heart has to pump about 5000 L of blood plasma per hour. Fortunately, the blood also contains hemoglobin which increases the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen.

5. Respiratory Phenomena
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Coughing Sneezing Hiccup(ing?) Yawning CSB

a. Cough
A cough is a mechanism for clearing obstructions of the airway.

b. Sneeze
Sneeze is described as an upper respiratory cough. More and more air is inspired and the air is expelled with the explosive force.

c. Hiccup
It is spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm, resulting from stimulation in the diaphragm itself or in the respiratory center of the brain.

d. Yawn
Yawning aids respiratory by more completely ventilating the lung.

e. Cheyne-Stokes Breathing
CSB is a type of periodic breathing; that is breathing characterized by alternating intervals of breathing and apnea.