RESPIRATORY

• Respiratory System


  There are 2 divisions: The upper respiratory tract, The lower respiratory tract
• Functions of the Respiratory System

  • Gas Exchange
  • Regulation of blood pH
  • Voice Production
  • Innate Immunity
  • Ventilation
  • Olfaction
• Nose vs Mouth Breathing

  Nose: Protective structures - hair, the mucus which can trap foreign bodies and the nasal turbinate which may warm a cool air or cool a warm air
• Nasopharynx


  • Serves as passageway of air from the nose to the larynx
• Larynx


  • Largest cartilage of the body, serves as passageway of air and organ for phonation or sound production (Voice Box)
  • Made up of Epiglottis, Glottis, Thyroid Cartilage, Cricoid Cartilage
• Epiglottis


  A large single, leaf shaped piece of cartilage that pulls down the glottis when we swallow to keep food or liquid from getting into the trachea
• Glottis


  The opening of the larynx over the true vocal cords, air coming from the lungs cause the vocal cord to vibrate producing sounds
• Thyroid Cartilage


  Largest cartilage
• Cricoid Cartilage


  A single ring of cartilage that connects with the tracheal rings & for airway patency
• Bronchi and Bronchial Tree


  • Part of the Lower Respiratory Tract
• Lungs

  • Enclosed by the pleural membrane, with two layers of serous membranes (parietal pleura and visceral pleura), and a pleural cavity in between containing lubricating fluid
  • Located in the thoracic cavity protected by the ribs
• Carbon Dioxide


  The most important chemical regulator of respiration in a healthy individual
• Respiration


  1. Exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and a person's blood

  2. When brain receptors perceive too much carbon dioxide in the blood, they signal the body to increase ventilation
• Respiration


  • Transport of oxygen in the Cell and exchange of gases (O2 and CO2)
  • Controlled by the Central Nervous System (CNS), with the brain stem containing the respiratory center which can be stimulated by chemoreceptors
• Inhalation


  Active process, with inspiratory muscles like the diaphragm and external intercostals contracting to increase the diameter of the thoracic cage and allow air to enter the lungs
• Exhalation


  Passive process, caused by the recoil of the elastic lungs and thoracic wall returning to their original size
• Abnormal Breathing Patterns

  • Apnea (Absence of breathing)
  • Eupnea (Normal breathing)
  • Orthopnea (Only able to breathe comfortable in upright position)
  • Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (Attacks of severe shortness of breath that wakes a person from sleep)
  • Hyperpnea (Increased depth of breathing)
  • Hyperventilation (Increased rate or depth)
  • Hypoventilation (Decreased rate or depth)
• Emphysema


  • Progressive, degenerative disease that destroys alveolar walls, reducing respiratory membrane surface area and gas exchange
• Chronic Bronchitis


  • Severe inflammation of the lower respiratory passages, producing excessive mucus that impairs ventilation and gas exchange
• Lung Cancer


  • Irritants like tobacco smoke overwhelm the lungs' cleansing mechanisms, leading to mucus pooling, infections, and ultimately lung cancer