Medical Assisting: Respiratory System

Respiratory System (Pulmonary System)

a network of organs and tissues that help the body take in oxygen and expel gas

Parts of the Upper Respiratory Tract

Nose, Nasal cavity, Sinuses, Pharynx, and Larynx (voice box)

Parts of the Lower Respiratory Tract

Trachea, Bronchial tree, Lungs

What is pulmonary ventilation?

the physical act of breathing

Primary Function of the Respiratory System

1. Breathing/ Pulmonary Ventilation
2. Regulating gas exchange
3. Producing audio
4. Maintaining body temperature
5. House sensory neurons
6. External and Internal Respiration

What are the 3 processes used to ensure oxygen is provided to the body and corbon dioxide is removed?

Pulmonary Ventilation, Respiration, Oxygenation

What are the 3 major respiratory muscles?

Diaphragm, External Intercostal Muscles, and Internal Intercostal Muscles

Diaphragm

a dome-shaped muscle below the lungs that separate the thoracic and abdominal cavity

External Intercostal Muscles

pull ribs upwards and outwards

Internal Intercostal Muscles

pull ribs downwards and inwards

Breathing

the involuntary inhaling and exhaling of air

Inhalation (inspiration)

the process of breathing in air

Explain the Process of Inhalation (Inspiration)

The intercostal muscles and diaphragm contract, this causes the thoracic cavity to expand which increases lung volume, the increase in lung volume creates a suction that pulls air into the lungs

Exhalation (Expiration)

the process of breathing out air

Explain the Process of Exhalation (Expiration

The intercostal muscles and diaphragm relax, which causes the thoracic cavity to reduce in size which decreases lung volume, this then creates pressure that pushes air out of the lungs

Respiration

the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body

External Respiration

the exchange of the gases, oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the air in the lungs and the bloodstream

Internal Respiration

the exchange of the gases, oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the bloodstream and cells in the body's tissues

In the cells, what is oxygen used for?

Cellular respiration

What is formed when hemoglobin combines with oxygen?

oxyhemoglobin

What is formed when hemoglobin combines with carbon dioxide?

carbaminohemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin

Oxygenation

the process of supplying oxygen to the body’s tissue cells

Explain the Process of Oxygenation

1. Oxygen molecules in the bloodstream enter red blood cells and bind with hemoglobin
2. Red blood cells travel to tissue cells
3. Oxygen is released from the hemoglobin for use by tissue cells

Nose

primary passageway for air into and out of the respiratory system

Cilia

nasal hair that filters out foreign materials and moves mucous from nasal cavity into pharynx to be swallowed into stomach

Nostrils

entrance of nose

Mucous Membranes of Nose

filters out foreign bodies

Mouth-breathing

allows the respiratory system to meet increased oxygen demands during high stress or extreme circumstances. It can lead o an increased risk of dental and gum diseases and respiratory infections

Nasal cavity

primary passageway for air in and out of the respiratory system

Nasal septum

cartilage that divides the nasal cavity into two

SInuses

four pairs of hollow spaces in the skull that open into the nasal cavity

Functions of the Sinuses

1. Moistens and filters air
2. Regulate air temperature
3. Provide voice resonance

Pharynx

located behind the nasal cavity and mouth; connects nose, mouth, and larynx; functions as a passageway for air moving from the nasal cavity to the larynx and food moving from the mouth to the esophagus

Name the 3 Parts of the Pharynx

Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, and Laryngopharynx

Tonsils

part of the immune system that aids in infection control

What are the 3 different tonsils?

Pharyngeal, Palatine, and Lingual Tonsils

Function of Tonsils

Acts as a passageway for air moving from the nasal cavity to the larynx, food moving from the mouth to the esophagus, and helps form specific phoenetic sounds

Epiglottis

a small, leaf-like flap of cartilage at the bottom of the laryngopharynx that prevents food from entering the trachea or lungs

Larynx (voice box)

contains vocal cords and the thyroid and cricoid cartilage

Vocal cords

1. Upper: False Cords
2. Lower: True Vocal Cords
3. Glottis: opening between vocal cords that produce vocal sound

Thyroid Cartilage

Adams apple

Cricoid Cartilage

expands to allow large amounts of food to be swallowed

Trachea

AKA windpipe is a C-shaped ringed cartilaginous tube

Carina

a ridge of cartilage at the base of the trachea that separates the openings of the main bronchi

Function of Trachea

To warm and moisten the air before entering the lungs and serve as a passageway for air from the upper respiratory tract to the lungs

Lungs

soft, spongy organs in the thoracic cavity that are responsible for gas exchange

Mediastinum

a compartment in the center of the thoracic cavity that contains the heart, trachea, and esophagus.

Pleura

a thin, double membrane that surrounds each lung and lines inner surfaces of the thoracic cavity

Pleural fluid

fluid in between the pleura that reduces friction during breathing

Bronchi

larger airways in the lungs that are supported by cartilage rings

Bronchioles

narrow airways in the lungs (less than 1mm in diameter) that do not contain cartilage rings and connect bronchi to alveoli

Alveoli

small sacs of air

Surfectant

reduces surface tension of fluid in the wet surfaces of the alveoli; are produced by pneumocytes

What are PFTs, how are they used, and what is a common PFT?

Pulmonary function tests are tests that show how well the lungs are working. They are used to measure lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. A common PFT is the Spirometry test

Tidal Volume (TV)

amount normally breathed in or out with each normal breath

Vital Capacity (VC)

largest amount of air one can breathe out in one expiration after the deepest inhalation possible

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a normal expiration

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

amount of air that can be forcefully inhaled after a normal inspiration

Residual Volume (RV)

air that remains in the lungs after a forceful expiration

Total Lung Capacity

total amount of air the lungs can hold

Eupnea

normal breathing

Hyperventilation

rapid, deep respirations

Hypoventilation

slow, shallow respirations

Dyspnea

labored or difficult respirations

Orthopnea

dyspnea when lying down and is relieved when position is changed

Apnea

absence of breathing for more than 19 secs

Tachypnea

abnormal, rapid breathing

Cheyne-Stokes Syndrome (CSR)

a cycle of apnea and hyperventilation associated with critical conditions

Respiratory Arrest

failure to resume breathing after a period of apnea

Snoring

the vibration of soft tissues when muscles of the palate, tongue, and throat relax

Tuberculosis (TB)

a contagious infection that usually attacks your lungs

Asthma

a condition where the bronchial tubes become inflamed and as a result, restrict airflow

Atelectasis

the complete or partial collapse of the lung

Emphysema

a lung condition caused by damage to the alveoli, which eventually reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the bloodstream

Lung Cancer (Lung Carcinoma)

a malignant tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in lung tissue

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

a term for chronic conditions that cause recurrent blockage of airflow in the lungs like emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive asthma

Pneumonia

an infection that causes inflammation in the alveoli and can cause the alveoli to be filled with fluid or pus

COVID-19

a respiratory condition that has the greatest effect on the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)

Peak expiratory flow rate is a measurement of air flow out of the lungs or a person's maximum speed of expiration. It's mostly done to measure the severity of asthma and the effectiveness of treatment. It is measured with a peak flow meter.