A TRIP TO THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Once upon a time there was a child named Arthur who always wonders in things like how our systems function. In
solving those problems, his mother, a doctor, was the one who always help him. One night, he noticed the
contraction and expansion movement of his stomach.

Then he asked his mother, "Mom, why does my stomach contracts and expands continuously?”

His mother immediately replied to the question and answered, "It is an involuntary movement of the body, it is the
process called "BREATHING". And do you know what, each day we breathe about more 20,000 times. Whether
you're wide awake and getting ready for a big date or asleep during your most snooze-worthy afternoon class, you
don't have to think about breathing. It's so important to life that it happens automatically. If you didn't breathe, you
couldn't live.

A thought came to Arthur's mind and responded, "Then why do we undergo this process".

"Well, as I’ve said earlier, it is an involuntary movement of the body, meaning, it is a necessary action that we
should do every time, even in every second, because if we don't do it, we can die. Also in this process, we take in
Oxygen, and life needs Oxygen. Except for a few kinds of bacteria, all living things need oxygen. Without it we
would die. Animals that live on land breathe oxygen from the air into their lungs. You are doing that right now.
Plants that live on land take in oxygen through tiny openings in their leaves. Insects have tiny holes in their shells
that allow oxygen to seep in. Animals and plants that live underwater absorb oxygen that is dissolved in water."
"Ahh, so it is really necessary. But how do we breathe?” said Arthur.

"All of this breathing couldn't happen without help from the respiratory system, which includes the nose, throat,
voice box, windpipe, and lungs. With each breath, you take in air through your nostrils and mouth, and your lungs
fill up and empty out. As air is inhaled, the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth warm and humidify the air."
His mom said.

"And it's just as simple as that?

"Well it's getting late. Maybe I could tell you the whole story tomorrow."

"But mom, promise me first that you will tell the whole story tomorrow."

"Okay, I promise Arthur. Go to your bed and sleep tight. Goodnight."

Arthur slept, and while he is sleeping, his mother called one of her human system fairy friends, the respiratory god
mother. She asked the fairy to help his son to solve his questions about the respiratory system, and the fairy agreed.
The fairy then entered Arthur's dream and started to work out her plan.

In Arthur's dream...

"Arthur, Arthur." A voice sounded in echo.

"Who are you? Where are you?”

The respiratory fairy appeared and introduced herself.

“I am the respiratory god mother. I am one of the fairies of the human systems. Some of them are the nervous god
mother, circulatory god mother and muscular god mother.”

“But why are you here?”

“I am here to help you solve about your problems about the respiratory system.”

“How did you know that?”

“Well, I’m always watching you. Do you want to start the adventure?”

“Adventure? What adventure?”

“I am going to show you the respiratory system. I am going to take a trip with you over there. Come on. Hop in my
magic carpet”

Arthur hopped in and their adventure began.

“Hold on tight Arthur!”

Before they go inside the respiratory system, the respiratory god mother introduced the respiratory system to Arthur.

“Hey Arthur, can you see that? (Pointing to the respiratory system) That is the respiratory system. The respiratory
system supplies oxygen and removes carbon dioxide inside the body. Day-in and day-out, without the prompt of
conscious thought, the respiratory system carries out its life-sustaining activities. If the respiratory system’s tasks are
interrupted for more than a few minutes, serious, irreversible damage to tissues occurs, followed by the failure of all
body systems, and ultimately, death.”

"I have heard that from my mother too.” Arthur replied.

Pointing to the nose, he asked the respiratory god mother. "What's that with two openings? Is that the nose?"

"Yes Arthur, it is the NOSE. The flow of air from outside of the body to the lungs begins with the nose, which is
divided into the left and right nasal passages. The NASAL PASSAGES are lined with a membrane composed
primarily of one layer of flat, closely packed cells called epithelial cells. Each epithelial cell is densely fringed with
thousands of microscopic cilia, fingerlike extensions of the cells. Interspersed among the epithelial cells are goblet
cells, specialized cells that produce mucus, a sticky, thick, moist fluid that coats the epithelial cells and the cilia.
Numerous tiny blood vessels called capillaries lie just under the mucous membrane, near the surface of the nasal
passages. While transporting air to the pharynx, the nasal passages play two critical roles: they filter the air to
remove potentially disease-causing particles; and they moisten and warm the air to protect the structures in the
respiratory system."

The two traveled inside the nose and after that, they entered a short funnel-shaped tube.

"Where are we now?"

"We are now in the second part where the air travels. We are now in the PHARYNX."

"Then what is the pharynx?"

"Air leaves the nasal passages and flows to the pharynx, a short, and funnel-shaped tube about 13 cm (5 in) long that
transports air to the larynx. Like the nasal passages, the pharynx is lined with a protective mucous membrane and
ciliated cells that remove impurities from the air. In addition to serving as an air passage, the pharynx houses the
tonsils, lymphatic tissues that contain white blood cells. The white blood cells attack any disease-causing organisms
that escape the hairs, cilia, and mucus of the nasal passages and pharynx. The tonsils are strategically located to
prevent these organisms from moving further into the body. One tonsil, called the adenoids, is found high in the rear
wall of the pharynx. A pair of tonsils, the palatine tonsils, is located at the back of the pharynx on either side of the
tongue. Another pair, the lingual tonsils, is found deep in the pharynx at the base of the tongue. In their battles with
disease-causing organisms, the tonsils sometimes become swollen with infection. When the adenoids are swollen,
they block the flow of air from the nasal passages to the pharynx, and a person must breathe through the mouth."

After the pharynx, they went in another tube called the larynx.

"Then, where are we now?"

"We are now in the LARYNX which is also known as the VOICE BOX. Air moves from the pharynx to the larynx,
a structure about 5 cm (2 in) long located approximately in the middle of the neck. Several layers of cartilage, a
tough and flexible tissue, comprise most of the larynx. A protrusion in the cartilage called the Adam’s apple
sometimes enlarges in males during puberty, creating a prominent bulge visible on the neck."
"While the primary role of the larynx is to transport air to the trachea, it also serves other functions. It plays a
primary role in producing sound, that's why it is also known as the voice box; it prevents food and fluid from
entering the air passage to cause choking; and its mucous membranes and cilia-bearing cells help filter air. The cilia
in the larynx waft airborne particles up toward the pharynx to be swallowed."

"So we now passed through the larynx. Where are we now?"

"We are now in the trachea."

"Then what's trachea?"

"Air passes from the larynx into the TRACHEA, a tube about 12 to 15 cm (about 5 to 6 in) long located just below
the larynx. The trachea is formed of 15 to 20 C-shaped rings of cartilage. The sturdy cartilage rings hold the trachea
open, enabling air to pass freely at all times. The open part of the C-shaped cartilage lies at the back of the trachea,
and the ends of the “C” are connected by muscle tissue."
“The base of the trachea is located a little below where the neck meets the trunk of the body. Here the trachea
branches into two tubes, the left & right BRONCHI, which deliver air into the left and right lungs, respectively.
Within the lungs, the bronchi branch into smaller tubes called BRONCHIOLES. The trachea, and the first few
bronchioles contribute to the cleansing function of the respiratory system, for they, too, are lined with mucous
membranes and ciliated cells that move mucus upward to the pharynx.” The respiratory god mother added.

“So right after the trachea, the bronchi which has smaller branches called bronchioles, are the next parts?

“Yes Arthur.”

“Then what’s next after them?”

“Well the next and the last part of the respiratory system is the ALVEOLI. The bronchioles divide many more times
in the lungs to create an impressive tree with smaller and smaller branches, some no larger than 0.5 mm (0.02 in) in
diameter. These branches dead-end into tiny air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli deliver oxygen to the circulatory
system and remove carbon dioxide. Interspersed among the alveoli are numerous macrophages, large white blood
cells that patrol the alveoli and remove foreign substances that have not been filtered out earlier. The macrophages
are the last line of defense of the respiratory system; their presence helps ensure that the alveoli are protected from
infection so that they can carry out their vital role.”

“So you mean our adventure is now ending?”

“Yes, but don’t worry Arthur, I’ll be around to help you whenever you have problems about the respiratory system.”

“So hold on tight and were going back to your room.” The respiratory god mother added.

When the two reached Arthur’s room, the respiratory god mother bid farewell to Arthur.

“Okay Arthur, we’re here back into your room. Goodbye Arthur! See you next time.”

The respiratory god mother said and waved her wand and then she was gone.
Arthur went back into his room and the next morning…

“Arthur. Arthur. Wake up son.” His mother said.

Arthur woke up and told his mom about his adventure inside the respiratory system with the respiratory god mother.

“Good morning mom. Do you know what, last night, we went inside the respiratory system and we had an adventure
with every part.”

“What do you mean “we”?” His mom asked, pretending that she doesn’t know what really happened.

“Well, I had an adventure inside the respiratory system with the respiratory god mother and I really enjoyed it. I
wish I can have another adventure with her, and of course with you too.”

“Who is she?”

“Well it’s a long story mom. She just appeared inside my dreams, and the adventure begun.”

“Oh really? So it was magical isn’t it?”

“Yes mom, and I have learned a lot from that magical adventure.”

“Like what?”

“Like when you inhale air through your nose or your mouth, that air takes off on an incredible journey. First it goes
down the back of your throat, past your voice box, and into your windpipe, or trachea. Your trachea is like a tunnel
that branches off into two more tunnels called bronchial tubes or bronchi. Each bronchial tube goes off to one of
your lungs. It doesn’t matter whether the air goes to the right lung or the left lung. Both lungs do the same job.”

“Inside your lungs, the bronchi are like upside-down trees. They split into smaller and smaller branches and then
into many twigs. The twigs end in tiny air sacs called alveoli. So far, the air has just been along for the ride. Inside
the alveoli the air really goes to work. Its job is to keep you alive.” Arthur added.

“The job of the air in your alveoli is to bring oxygen into your body and take carbon dioxide out. Oxygen and carbon
dioxide are two invisible gases in air. The secret to doing this job is blood.” Arthur continued.

“But how about the trip out?” His mom asked.

“The air in your alveoli sends oxygen into your blood. Your blood flows through a system of tubes called blood
vessels. First, blood full of oxygen goes to your heart. Your heart is like a big pump. It sends the oxygen-filled blood
whooshing off to all parts of your body.” He answered.

“The blood vessels that deliver oxygen are called arteries. Arteries branch off into smaller and smaller tubes. The
tiniest blood vessels are called capillaries. Capillaries reach every cell in your body and drop off the oxygen. In your
cells, the oxygen works with food to make energy for you.” He continued.
“You really learned a lot son.”

“I’m not yet finish mom. The air also takes a trip out.”

“Oh I remember. Then how is it?”

“Well after your blood drops off the oxygen in your body’s cells, it picks up carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a
waste product. It is created when your body cells use oxygen and food to make energy. This waste has got to go. So
your blood carries it back to your lungs.” Arthur answered.

“The blood vessels that carry blood full of carbon dioxide are called veins. Veins carry blood back to your heart.
Your heart pumps the blood into your lungs. Finally, your blood drops off the carbon dioxide in your alveoli.” He
added.

“The carbon dioxide leaves the opposite way that the oxygen came in. Your lungs push carbon dioxide out of your
body when you exhale. Taking oxygen into your body and giving off carbon dioxide is called respiration.” He
continued.

“The story gets even better. Plants use the carbon dioxide that you and other animals exhale. Carbon dioxide and
sunlight help plants make food. A waste product that plants give off is the oxygen that you need for life.” He also
added.

“Well the respiratory system is now over. Come on down and let’s take our breakfast.”

While they are leaving the room, the respiratory god mother appeared.

“Hey Arthur!” The respiratory god mother surprised Arthur.

“Respiratory god mother, you’re here!” Arthur shouted in a surprised tone.

“Why are you shouting Arthur?” His mom curiously asked while she is on the stairs.

“It’s nothing mom. I’ll follow you down.” Arthur replied to his mom.

“Okay son, just make it fast.” His mom replied.

“Good job Arthur. You really learned a lot.” The respiratory god mother said.

“Of course respiratory god mother. I really love the adventure. I hope that it will happen again.”

“Of course Arthur and I will bring your mom too.”

“Oh really, I’m so excited about that!”

“Don’t worry. It will happen soon.”

“Thank you very much respiratory god mother.”

“So I have to go. You also have to go down Arthur. Your mom is waiting for you downstairs.”
“Okay respiratory god mother. See you again!”

“Goodbye Arthur!”

The respiratory waved again her wand and she disappeared.