Maria Palacios P2 Respiratory System

Major Functions

Upper Respiratory Structures & Functions

nose: entrance/ exit for air, prevent entry of particles; made of bone & cartilage

nasal cavity: warm/ moistens/ filters air, traps particles; divided by nasal septum & creates passageways

sinuses: reduces skull weight, chambers for voice; open into nasal cavity, air-filled spaces

pharynx: produces sounds for speech, passageways for air & food; space behind oral/ nasal cavities & larynx, 3 subdivisions: nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynogopharynx

Lower Respiratory Structures & Functions

larynx: houses vocal cords, transports air in & out of trachea, prevents particles from entering trachea; made of muscles & cartilage

trachea: extends to esophagus and thoracic cavity, splits into L&R bronchi, cilia sweep mucus

bronchial tree: lead from trachea to alveoli; primary: lead to each lung, secondary: enters a lobe of a lung, tertiary: enters a segment of lung, bronchioles, terminal bronchioles, resp. bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, alveoli

lungs: separated by mediastinum, enclosed by diaphragm & thoracic cage, soft cone organ; pleuras

Layers of Pleurae

Inspiration vs Expiration

Inspiration

  • air moves from higher to lower pressure, force that moves air into lungs

Expiration

  • diaphragm pushes upward, passive process of elastic recoil of muscles & lung tissue and surface tension within alveoli

Volume & Pressure Relationships

  • increase in volume of thoracic cavity decreases pressure, decrease in volume increases pressure

Internal vs External Respirations

Internal

  • occurs in body tissues: cells release carbon dioxide and take in oxygen from blood

External

  • occurs in lungs and body takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide

Disorders of Respiratory System

Respiratory Volumes & Capacities

COPD: chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma

  • causes/ risks: air pollution, tobacco smoke
  • symptoms: chronic cough, wheezing, tight chest
  • treatment: medication, lung transplant

Tidal Volume (TV):

  • 500 mL
  • volume of air moved in/out during resp. cycle

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV):

  • 3,000 mL
  • max. vol. of air that can be inhaled at end of respiration

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV):

  • 1,100 mL
  • max. vol. air can be exhaled at end of resting expiration

Residual Volume (RV):

  • 1,200 mL
  • vol. of air remaining in lungs after max. expiration

Vital Capacity (VC):

  • 4,600 mL
  • max. vol. air exhaled after taking the deepest breath possible; TV+IRV+ERV= VC

Inspiratory Capacity (IC):

  • 3,500 mL
  • max. vol. air inhaled following exhalation of resting tidal vol.; TV+IRV= IC

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC):

  • 2,300 mL
  • vol. of air remaining in lungs after exhalation of resting tidal vol.; ERV+RV= FRC

Total Lung Capacity (TLC):

  • 5,800 mL
  • total vol. of air that lungs can hold; VC+RV= TLC

Tuberculosis: bacterial infection in resp. system

  • causes/ risks: contagious, weak immune system
  • symptoms: fever/ fatigue, chest pain, short breath
  • treatment: surgery, medication, antibiotics

Pneumonia: bacterial or viral infection of the lungs

  • causes/ risks: aspiration, viral infection, impaired immune system
  • symptoms: fever, chills, chest pain
  • treatment: antibiotic, oxygen therapy, antibiotics

Lung Cancer: uncontrolled cell growth & development of tumors in lungs

  • causes/ risks: air pollution, genetics, second-hand smoke
  • symptoms: fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath
  • treatment: radiation, chemotherapy, surgical removal

Seasonal Flu: viral infection changes the severity of symptoms

  • causes/ risks: inhaled in respiratory, age, pregnancy
  • symptoms: fatigue, dry cough, congestion
  • treatment: early vaccination, rest/ hydration, antiviral meds

.

  • receives oxygen & removes carbon dioxide from cells
  • allows us to talk and smell
  • warms and moistens incoming air
  • removes wastes from body
  • allows us to breathe
  • protects from dust & microbes

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  • serous fluid: lubricates pleural cavity between 2 layers
  • parietal pleura: outer layer; lines thoracic cavity
  • visceral pleura: inner layer; attached to surface of lungs