Purpose of the Respiratory System

gas exchange: absorbs oxygen from the air you breathe and releases carbon dioxide when you exhale

Breathing: two major actions

Inhaling: oxygen is pulled into the organism’s lungs.

Exhaling: Air is pulled out of the organism’s lungs.

diaphragm dome shaped muscle underneath the lungs, which contracts and relaxes in the chest cavity to move gases in and out of your lungs

Path of Air FlowNose- cleans the air of impurities, warms the air if it is too cool,

moistens the air if it is dry

Pharynx- the throat; branches into two tubes, one leads to the stomach and the other leads to the lungs; epiglottis flap of tissue that controls the path the food or air will take

Larynx- voice box, contains vocal cords which vibrate to create sound

Trachea- windpipe, allows air to travel from larynx to lungs

Inside the Lungs

Bronchi- two short tubes that lead to each lung

Bronchioles- smallest tubes that lead to the site of gas exchange

Alveoli: clusters of tiny air filled sacs where gas exchange takes place

Lungsmajor organ of the Respiratory System; sponge-like organ; left

lung slightly smaller than the right lung due to the placement of the heart

Medical ProblemsAsthma- inflammation of the bronchioles that

makes it difficult to breathe; causes attacks of coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath.

Bronchitis- irritation in the lining of the bronchioles

Pneumonia- a respiratory condition in which there is inflammation of the lung; symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, chills, and coughing up blood.

Lung cancer- uncontrolled growth of cells in the lining the bronchi and bronchioles.