5.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

- function:
o supply of oxygen - to the blood so it can be distributed around the body
o removal of carbon dioxide – waste product of metabolic processes
- composition:
o upper airways
 nasal cavity
 preferred entrance of air from external environment to body
 function
o Filtration– sticky mucous membrane traps dust particles which are either
sneezed or blown out
o Lightening of skull– thanks to paranasal sinuses
o Sound formation – echoing of sound, creation of vocal resonance
 Nasopharynx
 Upper part of pharynx behind nose
 Extends from the base of the skull to the upper surface of the soft palate
 Contains adenoids – lymph nodes
 Contains opening of Eustachian tube (functions to equalize the pressure in ear)
 Larynx
 Essential role in speech formation
 Contains vocal cords – 2 ligaments
 During speech ligaments open and close as vibrating air is exhaled from lungs

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 o lower airways
 trachea
 also called windpipe
 the main airway to lungs
 divides into 2 primary bronchi channelling air into right or left lung
 supported by C-shape cartilage
 bronchi
 originate in trachea
 branch progressively into bronchioles
 bronchioles
 tiny bronchioles are called terminal
 circa 30 000 in each lung
 divide into two or more bronchioles which end in alveolar sacs composed of alveoli
o lungs
 2 sponge-like cone-shaped lungs filling the most of the thoracic cavity
 Protected by flexible ribcage
 Form one of the largest organs in the body
 Left lungs – 2 lobes, right lung – 3 lobes
 Thanks to compartmentation of lungs the surface is of lungs is 40x larger than the body
surface
o Alveoli
 Sg. alveolus
 Functional units of lungs
 Estimated number – 300 000 000
 Total surface - 70m2
 Single-layered walls are surrounded by rich network of single-layered walls of capillaries
 Moist environment
 Macrophages– white blood cells present in alveoli – function to destroy bacteria, chemicals,
and dust
o respiratory muscles
 Diaphragm & intercostals muscles
 enable enlargement of thoracic cavity and ribcage for inhalation
 enable lowering of thoracic cavity volume and push out the air for exhalation
o pleurae
 membrane covering internal surface of thoracic cavity (ribs) and external surface of lungs
 lower the friction between lungs and ribs by production of liquid
- respiration as exchange of gases is:
o internal
 exchange of respiratory gases between blood and individual cells
o external
 exchange of respiratory organs between outside environment and blood through organs of
respiratory system
- ventilation
o mechanics of breathing
o inhalation
 expansion of thoracic cavity
 intercostal muscles lift and pull ribs away from body
 diaphragm moves down
 lower pressure in lungs causes air to get in
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 o exhalation
 lowering of thoracic cavity volume
 intercostal muscles push ribs in and towards the body
 diaphragm moves up
 air is pushed out from lungs
- functionality of one’s respiratory system is described using these terms
o Minute volume – the volume of air inhaled and exhaled per minute in rest – 12-16 breaths/min – 6-
8l
o Residual volume – the air that remains in lungs after exhalation and cannot be exhaled (the first
breath air); app. 0.35l
o Tidal volume – the amount of air in one breath (one inhalation & one exhalation); app. 0.5l
o Vital capacity – the maximum exhalation after maximal inhalation; varies – depends on sex, training,
lifestyle (males 3.5-5l, females 2.5-4l)
- breathing is regulated by respiratory centre in medulla oblongata and pons (brain)
- breathing regulated by sensing the concentration of O 2 and CO2 in blood flowing into brain centre
- protective reflexes:
o sneezing - sudden involuntary expulsion of air from the nose and mouth due to irritation of one's
nostrils
o coughing – irritation of trachea/larynx (by mucus)
- other reflexes
o yawning
o hiccup
- HW: diseases of respiratory tract:
o Sinusitis - inflammation of a nasal sinus or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Healthy sinuses are
filled with air. But when they become blocked and filled with fluid, germs can grow and cause an
infection.
o Tonsillitis - Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the
throat — one tonsil on each side.
o Laryngitis - Laryngitis is an inflammation of voice box (larynx) from overuse, irritation or infection.
o Bronchitis - Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and
from your lungs.
o Pneumonia - Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs (alveoli) in one or both lungs.
o Asthma - Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra
mucus.
o Cancer - Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs. Lungs are two spongy organs in
chest that take in oxygen when you inhale and release carbon dioxide when you exhale.

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