Respiratory System Flashcards

Functions of the Respiratory System

• Gas exchange: Supplies the body with oxygen and disposes of carbon dioxide.
• Breathing: Movement of air in and out of the lungs.
• Contains receptors for smell.
• Protection from dust and microbes entering the body.
• Helps regulate blood pH.

Components of the Respiratory System

• Mouth and nose: Used to pull air from outside the body into the respiratory system.
• Sinuses: Hollow areas between bones in the head that help regulate temperature and humidity of the air we breathe.
• Pharynx: Tube that delivers air from the mouth and nose to the trachea.
• Trachea: Passage connecting the throat and lungs.
• Bronchial tubes: Tubes at the bottom of the windpipe that connect to the lungs.
• Lungs: Two organs that remove oxygen from the air and pass it to the blood.

Additional Components

• Alveoli: Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
• Bronchioles: Small branches that lead to the alveoli.
• Pleura: Thin sacs around each lung that separate the lungs from the chest.
• Diaphragm: Muscle at the base of the lungs.
  • When it contracts, the lungs expand, creating a vacuum and sucking in air.
  • When it relaxes, the lungs reduce in size as air is exhaled.

Respiration

• External respiration: Exchanging air between the body and the outside environment.
• Internal respiration: Bringing oxygen to the cells and removing carbon dioxide.
• Inhalation: Draws gases into the lungs.
• Exhalation: Forces gases out of the lungs.

How the Lungs Work

• Air enters the lungs through a system of pipes called the bronchi.
• The alveoli are where the important work of gas exchange takes place between the air and the blood.
• Each alveolus is covered by a network of small blood vessels called capillaries.
• The air in the alveoli and the blood in the capillaries are very close together to facilitate the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• When you breathe in, air travels down the trachea and through the bronchi into the alveoli.
• Fresh air has lots of oxygen, some of which will travel across the walls of the alveoli into the bloodstream.
• Carbon dioxide travels in the opposite direction, from the blood in the capillaries into the air in the alveoli, and is then breathed out.
• This process brings oxygen into the body and gets rid of the waste product carbon dioxide.

Asthma

• Inflammation in the airways that makes breathing difficult.
• Chronic condition: No cure, but treatable to live an active life.
• Asthma attacks involve:
  • Bronchospasm: Muscles constrict, narrowing airways.
  • Inflammation: Airway linings become swollen.
  • Mucus production: Extra mucus is created, clogging airways.

Pneumonia

• Infection in one or both lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
• Airways become inflamed.
• Air sacs in lungs fill with mucus or fluid.
• Can be contagious.
• Treatments:
  • Bacterial: Antibiotics.
  • Viral: No treatment.
  • Fungal: Antifungal medication.

Cystic Fibrosis

• Inherited disorder that causes damage to the lungs, as well as other organs.
• Affects cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive juices.
• Can affect the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems.
• No cure, but treatment can ease symptoms and improve life quality.

Interaction with Other Systems

• Skeletal: Provides protection around the lungs and heart.
• Circulatory: Bloodstream delivers oxygen to all organs and tissues.
• Muscular: The diaphragm plays a huge role in allowing the lungs to push air in and out, provides oxygen to muscles, and removes carbon dioxide.
• Nervous: Provides oxygen to the brain.