The Respiratory System

Respiratory System FUNCTIONS: Air distribution Filters,Warms and humidifies the air Gas exchange Supply body with oxygen Dispose of carbon dioxide

System Location Upper Torso Protected by the rib cage Flank the heart laterally

Parts of the Respiratory System Lungs Nasal Cavity Larynx Pharynx Esophagus Trachea Bronchus Diaphragm Alveoli

The Upper Respiratory Tract Mouth/Oral Cavity/Nose/Sinuses Pharynx Larynx “Voice Box”

Nose/ Nasal Cavity Provides pathway for respiration Moistens and warms incoming air Filters air Helps with speech smell

Pharynx Common passageway for food, liquid, and air Contains uvula and tonsils

Larynx (voice box) Open airway Routes food and air Speech Laryngitis – swollen vocal folds

The Lower Respiratory Tract Trachea Bronchi Lungs Alveoli

Trachea (windpipe) Carries air to lungs 10-12 cm long (4 in.) 2.5 cm in diameter (1 in.) flexible

The Bronchus Tube-like structures – 2 tubes that branch Carries air into the lungs Conduct air to the alveoli and then back to the Trachea End at the alveoli Bronchi Bronchioles

The Lungs 2, cone-shaped Right is larger Constructed of elastic connective tissue Soft, spongy, 2.5 pounds

Alveoli Site of gas exchange Are sac arranged like bunches of grapes Oxygen transferred into the blood system Carbon Dioxide removed Are sac arranged like bunches of grapes Flexible and elastic Typical human lung has 700 million Surface area of 70 m2 Alveoli take up to 1 year to regenerate

Respiration – 4 processes Ventilation – move of air in/out of lungs (breathing) External respiration – gas exchange between blood and air Transport of respiratory gas – transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide from lungs to body tissues via blood Internal respiration – gas exchange between blood and cells

Respiratory Diseases The respiratory system is very vulnerable to infections Can be caused by bacteria, viral or genetic conditions Smoking (anything) can increase the risk Diseases Bronchitis Emphysema Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Lung Cancer Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Pneumonia Asthma

Hyperventilation Can occur when breathing extremely slow or shallow Build up of carbonic acid in blood Carbon Dioxide levels get low Can cause you to pass out Can be caused by anxiety attacks Breathe into a paper bag Levels will balance out Brief periods without breathing are called apnea

Bronchitis Mucus membrane becomes inflamed Swelling of the bronchis can occur Often times caused by a virus Can last a couple of weeks (acute) or it can last for months (chronic)

Asthma Chronic (long-term) lung disease Inflames and narrows the airways. Recurring periods of wheezing chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning. Use inhalers to control Starts in childhood (usually) 25 million in the U.S 7 million children

Emphysema Chronic disease Poor air flow due to lung tissue breaking down Coughing, shortness of breath Often caused by smoking Large carbon deposits on the Lungs 4th leading cause of death in the world 3 million in the U.S. per year

Pneumonia Inflammation of the alveoli Caused by virus or bacteria Often hear or feel a “rattle” in the Lungs Result from other sicknesses that aren’t treated Affects approximately 450 million people globally per year, 4 million deaths,

Lung Cancer Uncontrolled cell growth in Lung tissue. Tumors If left untreated, this growth can spread Called Metastasis Spreads to other areas of the body 80-90% are caused by smoking Leading cancer killer 160,000 in 2012

COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Causes obstructed airflow to the lungs Emphysema and bronchitis are the two most common diseases that contribute to COPD at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions

Tuberculosis (TB) bacteria that cause TB are spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes Spread by breathing in airborne droplets Types: Tuberculosis, Drug-resistant tuberculosis, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis Latent TB – bacteria can live inside you without showing symptoms Symptoms – bad cough, coughing up blood, weakness/fatigue, weight loss, fever, etc.