The Respiratory System

By: Moises Kevin G. Binuya RN

Functions
Ø 1. Regulation of blood pH –
Alters blood pH by changing
blood CO2 levels

Ø 2. Voice production – Air past

the vocal cords makes sound
and speech

Ø 3. Olfaction – Sensation of
smell

Ø 4. Innate immunity – Protects

against some microorganisms,
by preventing it from entering
our body by removing them
from respiratory surfaces
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Respiratory system has
2 divisions:
Ø Upper Respiratory
Tract
Ø Nose
Ø Pharynx (throat)
Ø Larynx
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Respiratory system has
2 divisions:
Ø Lower Respiratory
Tract:
Ø Trachea
Ø Bronchi
Ø Lungs
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Nose
Ø Consist of external
nose and nasal cavity
Ø External nose – visible
structure (compose of
hyaline cartilage)
Ø Bridge of external nose
is consist of bone and
cartilage covered by
connective tissue and
skin
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØNares – or nostrils,
external opening of
the nose
ØChoanae – or
funnels, opening
into the pharynx
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØNasal cavity –
extends from nares
to the choanae
ØNasal septum - is
partition dividing
the nasal cavity into
right and left
ØHard palate – floor
of the nasal cavity
(separates nasal and
oral cavity)
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØConchae –
prominent body
ridges, present on
each side of the
nasal cavity
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØParanasal sinuses –
are air filled spaces
within bone,
includes:
ØMaxillary
ØFrontal
ØEthmoidal
ØSphenoidal
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØSinusitis –
inflammation of the
mucous membrane
of a sinus, once
inflamed they
produce excess
mucous.
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØNasolacrimal ducts
– carry tears from
the eyes (also open
into the nasal
cavity)
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØSneeze reflex –
dislodge foreign
substance from the
nasal cavity
ØDuring sneeze reflex
uvula and soft
palate are
depressed
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØPhotic sneeze reflex
– stimulated by
exposure to bright
light such as the sun
Øor sometimes it is
called. ACHOO
(autosomal
dominant
compulsive helio-
ophthalmic
outbursts)
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØPharynx – Throat, is
a common
passageway for both
respiratory and
digestive tract
ØPharynx is divided
into 3 regions:
Ø1. Nasopharynx
Ø2. Oropharynx
Ø3. Laryngopharynx
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØNasopharynx –
superior part of the
pharynx, posterior
to choanae,
superior to the soft
palate
ØUvula – little grape,
posterior extension
of the soft palate.
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØOropharynx -
extends from uvula
to the epiglottis,
thus food and air
passes through the
oropharynx
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØLaryngopharynx –
passes posterior to
the larynx and
extends from the tip
of the epiglottis to
the esophagus
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØLarynx – commonly
called the voice box,
located in the
anterior throat and
extends from the
base of the tongue
to the trachea
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØLarynx has 3 main
functions:
Ø1. Maintains an
open airway
Ø2. Protects the
airway during
swallowing
Ø3. Produces voice
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØThyroid cartilage –
Shield shape or
Adam's apple

ØCricoid cartilage –
ring shape
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø The 3 pairs of
cartilage (makes it 9
including the thyroid,
cricoid and
epiglottis):
Ø 1. Cunei form
cartilage (wedge
shape)
Ø 2. Corniculate
cartilage (horn shape)
Ø 3. Arytenoid cartilage
(ladle shape)
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØLarynx also houses
the vocal chords
Ø2 sets of ligaments:
Ø1. Vestibular folds –
false vocal cords
(superior)
Ø2. Vocal folds – true
vocal cords (inferior)
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØVocal folds – are the
primary source of
voice production.

ØLaryngitis –
inflammation of the
mucous epithelium
of the vocal folds
(thus inhibits voice
production)
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ØTrachea - windpipe,
Allows air to flow
into the lungs
ØHas a membranous
tube attached to the
larynx, consists of
connective tissue
and smooth muscle,
reinforce with 16 –
20 “C- shape” pieces
of hyaline cartilage.
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø C-shape because it
does not
completely close
the trachea, at the
posterior of the C-
shape rings, it
consists of elastic,
ligamentous
membrane and
bundles of smooth
muscle
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø The trachea is
consist of mucous
membrane, this
membrane is
compose of
pseudostratified
columnar
epithelium.
Containing cilia and
goblet cells.
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Bronchi – The
trachea divides into
left and right main
bronchi or primary
bronchi
Ø Each connects to
the lungs
Ø Left main bronchus
is more horizontal
than right because
it is displaced by
the heart
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Lungs – principal
organs of respiration,
cone shape, base
resting in diaphragm
Ø Right lung has 3 lobes:
Ø 1. Superior lobe
Ø 2. Middle lobe
Ø 3. Inferior lobe
Ø Left lung has 2 lobes:
Ø 1. Superior lobe
Ø 2. Inferior Lobe
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Each lobe is divided
into
bronchopulmonary
segments, separated
from one another by
connective tissue
septa.
Ø But it is not visible as
surface fissures
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Tracheobronchial tree
– consist of the main
bronchi and many
branches
Ø Each main bronchus is
divided into Lobar
bronchi (secondary
bronchi) as they enter
their respective lungs
Ø Lobar bronchi in turn
divide into segmental
bronchi (tertiary
bronchi)
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Bronchioles – also
subdivide numerous
times to give rise to
Terminal bronchioles
Ø Which then subdivide
into respiratory
bronchioles
Ø Each respiratory
bronchioles subdivides
to form alveolar ducts
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Alveoli – hollow sacs,
are small air filled
chambers where the
air and the blood
come into close
contact with each
other
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Respiratory
membrane - is where
gas exchange between
the air and blood
takes place
Ø It consist of 2 layers of
simple squamous,
including secreted
fluids called alveolar
fluid
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Individual layers are 4.
the following:
Ø 1. Thin layer of
alveolar fluid
Ø 2. Alveolar epithelium 5.
Ø 3. Basement 3. 6.
membrane
Ø 4. Thin interstitial 2.
space
Ø 5. Basement
membrane of capillary
endothelium
Ø 6. Capillary 1.
endothelium
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Ø Specialized secretory
cells within the walls
of the alveoli secrete a
chemical called
Surfactant that
reduces the tendency
of alveoli to recoil
Ventilation and Respiratory volumes
Ø Ventilation – or
breathing, is the process
of moving air into and
out of the lungs
Ø 2 phases of ventilation:
Ø 1. Inspiration –
Inhalation
Ø 2. Expiration –
Exhalation
Ø Ventilation is regulated
by changes in thoracic
volume, which produce
changes in air pressure
within the lungs
Ventilation and Respiratory volumes
Ø Changing thoracic
volume
Ø Muscles associated with
the ribs are responsible
for ventilation
Ø Inhaling requires a set
of muscles called muscle
of inspiration
Ø This includes:
Ø 1. diaphragm
Ø 2. muscles that elevate
the ribs
Ø 3. sternum
Ø 4. external coastals
Ventilation and Respiratory volumes
Ø Muscles of expiration
Ø 1. intercostals
(depress the ribs and
sternum)
Ventilation and Respiratory volumes
Ø Pressure changes and airflow
Ventilation and Respiratory volumes
Ø Spirometry - is the
process of measuring
volumes of air that
move into and out of
the respiratory system
Ø Spirometer – is the
device that measures
these respiratory
volumes
Ventilation and Respiratory volumes
Ø VOLUMES
Ø Respiratory volume –
are measurement of
amount of air
movement during
different portions of
ventilation
Ø Respiratory capacities
- are sums of two or
more respiratory
volumes
Ventilation and Respiratory volumes
Ø Tidal volume – is the
volume of air inspired
or expired with each
breath
Ø Inspiratory reserve
volume – is the
amount of air that can
be inspired forcefully
beyond the resting
tidal volume
Ventilation and Respiratory volumes
Ø Expiratory reserve
volume – is the
amount of air that can
be expired forcefully
beyond the resting
tidal volume
Ø Residual volume – is
the volume of air still
remaining in the
respiratory passages
and lungs after
maximum expiration
Ventilation and Respiratory volumes
Ø CAPACITIES
Ø Functional residual
capacity – is the
expiratory reserve
volume plus the
residual volume. This
is the amount of air
remaining in the lungs
at the end of a normal
expiration
Ventilation and Respiratory volumes
Ø CAPACITIES
Ø Inspiratory capacity –
is the tidal volume
plus the inspiratory
reserve volume
Ø Vital capacity – is the
sum of inspiratory
reserve volume, the
tidal volume and the
expiratory reserve
volume
Ventilation and Respiratory volumes
Ø CAPACITIES
Ø Total lung capacity – is
the sum of the
inspiratory and
expiratory reserves
and the tidal and
residual volumes
Gas Exchange
Ø Exchange of gases
across the respiratory
membrane is
influenced by 3
factors:
Ø 1. Thickness of the
membrane
Ø 2. Total surface area of
the respiratory
membrane
Ø 3. Partial pressure of
gases across
membrane
Gas Exchange
Ø Respiratory
membrane thickness –
Thickness increases
during certain
respiratory diseases
Ø Surface area – Total
surface area of the
respiratory membrane
is about 70sqm in
normal adult
Gas Exchange
Ø Partial pressure –
Pressure exerted by a
specific gas in a
mixture of gases, such
as air
Gas Exchange
Ø Movement of gases in
the lungs – O2 diffuses
from alveoli into the
pulmonary capillaries
because the Po2 in the
alveoli is higher/ greater
than in the pulmonary
capillaries
Ø In contrast CO2 diffuses
from the pulmonary
capillaries into the
alveoli because the
PCO2 in the pulmonary
capillaries is higher/
greater than in the
alveoli
Gas Exchange
Ø Gas transport in the
blood
Ø O2 Transport – After
O2 diffuses through
the respiratory
membrane into the
blood about 98.5% of
the O2 is transported
in the blood and
combines with iron-
containing heme
groups of hemoglobin
Gas Exchange
Ø About 1.5% of the O2
remains dissolved in
the plasma
Ø Oxyhemoglobin –
Hemoglobin with O2
bound to its heme
groups
Gas Exchange
Ø CO2 Transport and
blood PH
Ø CO2 enters the blood,
it is transported in 3
ways
Ø 1. About 7% is
transported as CO2
dissolved in plasma
Ø 2. 23% is transported
bound to blood
proteins, primarily
hemoglobin
Ø 3. 70% is transported
in the form of
bicarbonate ions
Gas Exchange
Ø Co2 reacts with water
to form carbonic acid
(H2CO3), which is
then dissociates to
form H+ and
bicarbonate ions
(HCO3-)
Ø Carbonic anhydrase –
is located inside the
RBC and on the
surface of capillary
epithelial cells
Gas Exchange
Ø OXYGEN TRANSPORT
Gas Exchange
Ø CARBON DIOXIDE
TRANSPORT
Gas Exchange
Ø Rhythmic breathing
Ø Normal breathing rate
in adults is between
12 and 20 breaths per
minute
Ø In children 20 to 40
per minute
Gas Exchange
Ø Respiratory areas in
the brainstem
Ø Neurons involved with
respiration are located
in the brainstem
Ø Medullary respiratory
center consists of 2
Dorsal respiratory
groups and 2 ventral
respiratory groups