Ch 23 Respiratory System

Introduction to the Respiratory System

During running, the body's demand for oxygen escalates significantly due to increased muscle activity.
The respiratory system is crucial in meeting this oxygen demand while facilitating the removal of carbon dioxide, which accumulates as a metabolic waste product.
Key Components:
- Lungs:
  - Main organs involved in gas exchange.
  - Composed of millions of alveoli, which provide a large surface area for efficient oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide expulsion.
  - Play a vital role in sustaining physical performance during high-intensity activities.
- Trachea:
  - Known as the windpipe, it is the primary airway connecting the throat (pharynx) with the lungs.
  - Reinforced with C-shaped cartilage rings that keep the airway open and prevent collapse while breathing.
  - Responsible for directing air from both the m
    outh and nose to the lungs efficiently.

Recognize that respiration encompasses two main processes: inhalation (the intake of oxygen) and exhalation (the expulsion of carbon dioxide).

Defined as the gas exchange process between the body and the atmosphere, particularly the interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Involves:
- Respiratory System:
  - Main organs responsible for breathing, including:
    - Nasal cavity
    - Trachea
    - Bronchi
    - Lungs
- Circulatory System:
  - Transports oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues back to the lungs for exhalation.

Serves as a continuous pathway that enables air to travel from the external environment through various respiratory structures to the alveoli and back, essential for effective breathing.

Occurs at the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, and involves:
- Oxygen diffusing from the alveoli into the pulmonary capillaries, where it enters the bloodstream.
- Carbon dioxide diffusing from the blood in the capillaries into the alveoli, where it is expelled during exhalation.
This gas exchange is pivotal for maintaining cellular metabolism and the body's acid-base balance.

Odor Detection:
- The superior portion of the nasal cavity contains specialized olfactory receptors that are sensitive to airborne chemicals, communicating scent information to the brain.
Sound Production:
- The vocal cords, located in the larynx, vibrate as air passes through them, allowing for the production of sound.
- This process is intricately influenced by the tension and shape of the vocal cords as well as the resonance from the upper respiratory structures, enabling speech and communication.