The Respiratory System

Larina BourneBrianna Cain

Lee Roundtree

Objectives• Name the organs associated with

the respiratory system, identify their structural parts and name their functions.

• Identify three diseases that affects major organs within the respiratory system.

• Explain respiration.• Discuss the mechanics of

breathing.• List factors influencing respiratory

rate.

• Explain how the respiratory system interacts with the Cardiovascular system.

The Respiratory System

• Primary Function• To supply the blood with oxygen and

dispose of carbon dioxide; gas exchange

• Respiration = breathing

• Primary Organ =Lungs• In which, oxygen is taken in, and

carbon dioxide is breathed out.• Red blood cells are responsible for

carrying oxygen throughout the body. When one inhales, red blood cells that contain oxygen carry themselves throughout the body and return carbon dioxide to the lungs to exhale.

• Located in the thoracic cavity

• Different structural parts of the respiratory system:– Trachea

• A skeletal structure located in the neck and continues into the lungs that pushes objects out of the airway to prevent them from being lodged inside.

• The windpipe.

– Diaphragm• A muscle near the lungs which is

essential for breathing.• As one inhales, it contracts or

tightens so air can be sucked into the lungs

– Bronchi• The bronchus are tubes that are

located between the trachea and the lungs which carries air from the trachea to the lungs and transfers oxygen to the blood.

- Nose• Nostrils facilitate air

inhalation and exhalation- Larynx

• Connects the trachea with the laryngopharynx. The larynx which is formed of cartilages is also known as sound box.

- Pharynx

• A tube-like structure that connects the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx.

• Pharynx is the throat. It is divided into nasal, oral, and laryngeal pharynx.

4 Stages of Respiration

Pulmonary ventilation -breathingExternal respiration -gas exchange between the pulmonary blood and alveoli must transpireRespiratory gas transport -oxygen and carbon dioxide must be transported to and from the lungs and tissue cells of the body via bloodstreamInternal respiration -gas exchange occurs between the blood and cells inside the body

Mechanics of Breathing

• Phases of Breathing Inspiration -when the inspiratory muscles, the diaphragm and external intercostals, contract, the

size of the thoracic cavity increases. -As intrapulmonary volume increases, the gases within the lungs spread out to fill the

larger space. -The resulting decrease in the gas pressure in the lungs produces a partial vacuum, which

sucks air into the lungs. -hence, inhalation

Expiration

-depends on the more natural elasticity of the lungs rather than on muscle contraction. -As the inspiratory muscles relax and resume their initial resting length, the rib cage

descends and the lungs shrink. -As the intrapulmonary volume decreases, the gases inside the lungs are forced more

closely together, and the intrapulmonary pressure rises.

Breathing Mechanics

Respiratory Disorders• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

a progressive disease characterized by difficulty of breathing Symptoms: - coughing that produces large amounts of mucus - wheezing - shortness of breath - chest tightness - dyspnea (“air hunger”)

-hypoxia -a condition where the body is deprived of an adequate amount

of oxygen -retain carbon dioxide - ultimately develops carbon dioxide Major cause of disability Often associated with smoking, bronchitis and/or emphysema Same symptoms as lung cancer; close correlation between the two

Lung Cancer

• Descritpion result of uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells cells’ offspring = wild production = tumor/cancer due to the large size of the lungs, cancer may grow for many

years, undetected, without causing suspicion. most common symptom

- persistent cough Most distinct symptom -coughing up blood Often mistaken for a cold or bronchitis

• Types of Lung Cancer Small cell carcinoma (oat cell carcinoma) - usually starts in one of the larger breathing tubes, - grows fairly rapidly Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) - consists of three subtypes

Epidermoid carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma) -usually starts in one of the larger breathing tubes - grows relatively slowly

Adenocarcinoma - starts growing near the outside surface of the lung - varies in both size and growth rateLarge cell caracinoma -starts near the surface of the lung - grows rapidly - usually large when diagnosed

• Treatment Chemotherapy - given as pills, intravenous infusion Radio therapy - high-energy Xrays Surgery (removal of tumor, depending on its stage)

Emphysema• Description

occurs when the alveolar walls are destroyed along with the capillary blood vessels that run within them.

the area within the lung where blood and air can come together is condensed, limiting the potential for oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer.

As the lungs become less elastic, the airways collapse during expiration and obstruct outflow of air

• Causing Factors Smoking; activates inflammatory cells in the lung - results in swelling within the bronchioles -activation of enzymes (proteases) which attack and destroy lung tissue (the alveolar wall

structures) genetic predisposition -alpha 1-antitrypsin defiency

- chemical that protects the lung from damage by proteases. aging

• Treatment Bronchodilators -used to relax the smooth muscles

that surround the bronchioles and allow the breathing tubes to dilate and allow more air flow.

-these medications can be inhaled using an MDI (metered dose inhaler), powder inhaler devices, or a nebulizer machine

Corticosteroids - inhaler; Advair Antibiotics Oxygen

Bronchitis

• Description -an acute inflammation of

the air passages within the lungs. It occurs when the trachea (windpipe) and the large and small bronchi (airways) within the lungs become inflamed because of infection or other causes.

• Treatment– Medications to help suppress the

cough or loosen and clear secretions may be helpful. If the patient has severe coughing spells they cannot control, see the doctor for prescription strength cough suppressants. In some cases only these stronger cough suppressants can stop a vicious cycle of coughing leading to more irritation of the bronchial tubes, which in turn causes more coughing.

– Bronchodilator inhalers will help open airways and decrease wheezing.

– Though antibiotics play a limited role in treating bronchitis, they become necessary in some situations

Nonrespiratory Movements

• Many situations besides breathing also move air in and out of the lungs and modify the normal respiratory rhythm. Coughs and sneezes; clear the air passages of debris or collected

mucus. Laughing and crying -these movements are a result of reflex activity, but some may be

produced voluntarily.

Factors Influencing Respiratory Rate and Depth

• Physical Factors Talking Coughing Exercising Increase in body temp.

• Volition (Conscious Control) Singing Swallowing Running Swimming

• Emotional Factors Scared; panting and gasping

• Chemical Factors the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen present in the blood - increased levels of carbon dioxide and decreased blood pH are the most

important stimuli leading to an increase the rate and depth of breathing

The Relationship between the Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems

• Respiratory System - provides oxygen - disposes of carbon dioxide - blood transports respiratory gases

- regulates the gas exchange that occur between the blood and the external environment.

• Cardiovascular System - respiratory gases made by the lungs and the tissue cells

are transported by blood. • If either systems failed, body cells would begin to die from

oxygen deprivation and accumulation of carbon dioxide.

Questions1. What organs consists of the

respiratory system?2. Explain the process of

respiration by which the body is supplied with oxygen and disposed of carbon dioxide?

3. What are the two phases of breathing?

4. What is the major function of the respiratory system?

5. What are some nonrespiratory movements?

6. Which organ is not a part of the respiratory system?

a. nose b. larynx c. stomach d. bronchi7. The disorder that is not classified as a

COPD: a. pneumonia b. bronchitis c.

emphysema d. sleep apnea8. Which cavity are the lungs located in? a. thoracic b. spinal c. pleural d.

perocardial9. What is the function of the alveoli? a. passage way for air b. gas exchange

c. release toxins d. reduces mucosa