Chapter 1

Introduction to the Respiratory System

Table 14.1 Path of Air

PARTS OF THE RESPIRATORY TRACT

Anatomically, the respiratory system structures are divided into: Upper respiratory tract and Lower
respiratory tract

1. The upper respiratory tract. Consists of the:

 Nose
 Pharynx
 Larynx
2. The lower respiratory tract makes up the:
 Trachea
 Bronchial tree
 Lungs

Figure: Parts of the respiratory tract.

Functionally, the respiratory system structures can be classified into: Conducting zone and Respiratory
zone

The conducting zone; whereby air can move in a continuous passageway includes:
 Nose
 Pharynx
 Larynx
 Trachea
 Bronchi
  Bronchioles

The respiratory zone; is found deep inside the lungs where inhaled oxygen can be exchanged for carbon
dioxide and includes:
 Respiratory bronchioles
 Alveolar ducts
 Atria
 Alveoler sac
 Alveoli

Figure: Functional Anatomy of the respiratory tract.

Functions of the Conducting Zone

1. Provides a low-resistance pathway for air flow; resistance is physiologically regulated by changes in
contraction of airway smooth muscle and by physical forces acting upon the airways.
2. Defends against microbes, toxic chemicals, and other foreign matter; cilia, mucus, and phagocytes
perform this function.
3. Warms and moistens the air.
4. Phonates (vocal cords).

Functions of the respiratory zone

 1. Region of gas exchange between air and blood.
2. Includes respiratory bronchioles and alveolar sacs.
3. Must contain alveoli.

Respiratory unit (Lung unit/ Primary lobule)

It is the functional unit of the lung. It comprises of
1. A single respiratory bronchiole
2. 5 or 6 Alveolar duct
3. Atria
4. 3-6 Alveolar sacs
5. alveoli

Alveoli
 About 300 million air sacs (alveoli).
 Each alveolus having 0.2 mm in diameter.

 Total surface area (60–80 m2).

 Each alveolus is 1 cell layer thick.

 2 types of cells:

 Alveolar type I:Structural cells.

 Alveolar type II:Secrete surfactant.

Figure: Diagram of the alveoli with both cross-section and external view (courtesy: wikipedia)

FUNCTION OF THE LUNGS

A. Respiratory Function:
1. Gaseous exchanges: Carriage of oxygen from the lungs to the site of tissue respiration for sub-
sequent utilization and also carriage of CO2 from that site to the lung alveoli for elimination.
2. Humidify and cool or warm the inspired air. So that even very hot or very cold air is at or near
body temperature by the time it reaches the alveoli.
B. Non-Respiratory Function
1. Metabolic function: Oxygen is essential for maintenance of metabolism in the tissue. Aerobic
metabolism cannot take place in the absence of oxygen.
2. Excretion: It excretes volatile substances like ammonia, keton bodies, essential oils, alcohols,
water vapours etc.
3. Maintenance of acid-base balance: This is done chiefly b’ adjusting the amount of CO 2
elimination, the normal PH of the body fluid is 7.4. Any change in the cause’s alteration in the rate
and depth of breathing.
4. Maintenance of temperature balance: When water is transformed into gaseous form, heat is
absorbed, so heat is lost through water vapours. About 10% of body heat is changed in this way.
5. Maintenance of water balance: 600-800 ml of water per day is lost as water vapour during
expiration.
6. Role of respiration on circulation:
a. During inspiration the intrathoracic pressure falls and intra-abdominal pressure rises, which
helps in return of blood & lymph.
b. Respiration affect heart rate & cardiac output through nervous mechanism. So changes in
respirartion causes change in circulation.
c. Blood pressure increases during the later part of inspiration & early part of expiration. During
the remaining period blood pressure falls.
7. Protective function:
a. Bronchial secretions contain secretory immunoglobulins (IgA) and other substances that help
to resist infection and maintain the integrity of the mucosa. In addition, the epithelium of the
paranasal sinuses appears to produce NO, which is bacteriostatic and helps prevent
infection.
b. The Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMS dust cell) are important components of the
pulmonary defense mechanism. They are actively phagocytic and ingest inhaled bacteria and
small particles.
c. Various mechanism operate to prevent foreign matter from reaching the alveoli. The hairs in
the nostrils strain out many particles larger than 10 mm in diameter.
d. Particles 2-10 mm in diameter generally fall’ on the walls of the bronchi as the air flow slows
in the smaller passages. There they initiate reflex brochial constriction and coughing.
e. The epithelium of the respiratory passages from the anterior third of the nose to the begining
of the respiratory bronchioles is ciliated, and the cilia beat at a frequency of 1000-1500 cycles
per minute, is capable of moving particles at a rate of at least 16 mm/mm. Particles less than
2 mm in diameter generally reach the alveoli, where they are ingested by the macrophages.

(Ref Ganong & others)

FUNCTION OF THE NOSE

The nasal passage (nose) plays for the conduction of air and also acts as efficient air conditioning and
filtering units. Thus –
1. The dust particles and bacteria become cought up in the nasal mucous and are removed.
2. The air is cooled down and is made moist.
3. The sense organ of smell is situated in the nose & the odour of the inspired air can be easily taken.

STEPS OF FUNCTION OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Includes 3 steps:

1. Ventilation:

 Breathing.

2. Gas exchange:
  Between air and capillaries in the lungs.

 Between systemic capillaries and tissues of the body.

3. 02 utilization: Cellular respiration

RESPIRATORY RATE

An average human breathes some 12-20 times per minute.