Respiratory System

Respiratory system functions:

* exchange gases between lungs and blood (in alveoli)
* help regulate body temp by heating/cooling blood
* help maintain body’s electrolyte balance

Mucous membrane

* filters foreign bodies
* warms air, moistens air

Pharynx:

carries air to respiratory system

* Nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx

Larynx (voice box):

located between pharynx and trachea

* Glottis: space between vocal cords
* Epiglottis: flap that covers larynx when swallowing

Trachea (wind pipe):

conducts air between larynx and lungs

* made up of a framework of separate cartilages
* cartilages are horseshoe shape
* open at back for expansion during swallowing

Hilum:

notch in lungs that each bronchi enter

Mediastinum:

space between lungs

* bronchi branch into smaller sections called bronchioles

Pnea:

breathing

Chronic:

lasting a long time

Expiration:

exhale

Inspiration:

inhale

Respiration:

exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body

Ventilation:

moving air into and out of lungs

Alveoli:

tiny sacs located at end of bronchioles

* abt 300 mill in lungs, site of gas exchange in lungs

Pleura:

double sac surrounding lungs

Parietal pleura:

layer of sac attached to chest wall

Visceral pleura:

layer of sac attached to lung

Pulmonary ventilation:

exchange of air between atmosphere and air sacs

External change of gases:

in the lungs, o2 goes into the blood and co2 comes out of the blood to be expelled

Gas transport:

moving substances in the blood

internal exchange of gases:

in body tissue, co2 moves into blood and o2 moves out of the blood into the cells

Pulmonary ventilation 2 phases:

inhalation (inspiration): breathing into lungs

exhalation (expiration): expulsion of air from lungs

Mechanics of breathing:

* the diaphragm contracts = lung vol increase, makes pressure in lung lower than atmosphere allowing air to enter the lungs
* when diaphragm relaxes, pressure in lung is higher than atmosphere causing air to move out of the lungs

tidal volume:

normal resting of breathing

inspiratory resereve:

amount of air one can forcefully breath in

Expiratory reserve:

amount of air one can forcefully breath out

Vital capacity:

max air you can expelled from lungs after taking deepest possible breath.

residual volume:

amount of air that remains after fully exhaling

total lung capacity:

total volume of gas your lung can take

Nervous System control

pons and medulla of brain - involuntary regulation based on o2 and co2 levels

* voluntary regulation of the diagram

chemical control

chemical receptors in brain stem and blood vessels monitor co2 levels

* increase breathing rates to reduce co2 levels

breathing patterns:

measured in breaths per min

* adults: 12 to 20
* children: 20 to 40
* infants: more than 40

hyperventilation

more than normal air enters alveoli

hyporventilation

less than normal air enters alveoli

Hyperpnea:

increased depth and rate of breathing

Hypopnea:

decreased depth and rate of breathing

Tachypnea:

abnormally rapid breathing

Apnea:

stop of breathing

Dyspnea:

difficulty breathing

cheyne - stokes respiration:

abnormal patterns of breathing

orthopnea:

difficulty breathing, relieved when sitting up straight

Hypoxia:

less than normal oxygen level in body

Hypoxemia:

less than normal oxygen concentration in blood

Effects of Aging:

* tissues lose elasticity and become rigid
* decrease in compliance and lung capacity
* increased susceptibility to infections

sinusitis:

inflammation of nasal from infection

epistaxis:

injury to the mucous membrane/ nosebleed

upper respiratory infection:

group of respiratory infections caused by virus/bacteria in nose. Symptoms: sore throat, running nose, fever, coughing, sneezing

Coup:

effects under 3, number of virus usually by virus

Respiratory Syncytial virus:

most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children

Bronchitis:

Infection and inflammation of bronchi causing dry/wet cough, persist for 2 weeks

Cold (acute coryza):

Respiratory infection caused by 1 or more than 200 viruses, watery fluid discharge of the nose

Influenza:

known as the flu, causes inflammation of the upper respiratory area along w pain and aches. Caused by virus that spread to sinuses and the lungs.

Pneumonia:

Inflammation of lungs, buildup of excessive moisture impairs breathing, caused by virus, bacteria, or chemical irritant

Tuberculosis:

Infectious disease usually in lungs, caused by bacteria that is difficult to destroy, transmitted through air

Allergy Rhinitis:

Hypersensitivity/allergy to inhaled substance/ allergic reaction

Asthma:

Difficulty breathing when bronchi narrow and contract in spams.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

The airway and lung changed stop airflow during exhalation.

Emphyseme:

alveoli lose elasticity and become dilated and don’t exchange gases well.

sudden infant death syndrome:

sudden >1 while sleeping, unexplained

Lung cancer:

linked to smoking/products, most common cancer related deaths

Laryngeal cancer:

cigar smoking and alcohol consumption, high cure rate

Pleurisy

inflammation of the pleura accompanied by infection

Pneumothorax

* accumulation of air in the pleura space
* Hemothorax (blood in the pleural space from penetrating chest wound)