By Gretel D’Souza, Claude D’Netto, Mandy Grewal, and Anu Kakkar The Respiratory System By Gretel D’Souza, Claude D’Netto, Mandy Grewal, and Anu Kakkar

Common Word Elements Related to the Respiratory System Bronchi/o Bronchus Laryng/o Larynx Nas/o, Rhin/o Nose Pharyng/o Pharynx Phren/o Diaphragm -pnea (suffix) Breathing (a suffix used in such terms as dyspnea, which means “difficulty in breathing”) Pneum/o, Pneumon/o, Pulmon/o Lung Sinus/o Sinus Cavity Trache/o Trachea

The Upper Respiratory System Nose Nasal Cavity Pharynx

The Nose Body’s first line of defense against contaminants in the air Hairs, called cilia, inside the nose filter out particulate matter contained in air entering the nose

The Nasal Cavity Body’s second line of defense against foreign material trying to enter the respiratory system Nasal cavity lining is coated by mucus which filters out particles that are too small to be picked up by hairs in the nose Incoming air is warmed and moistened as is passes through the nasal cavity Outgoing air gives up its heat and water vapor

The Pharynx Incoming air passes out of the nasal cavity into the pharynx, where it is further purified and filtered to eliminate germs and unwanted chemicals

The Lower Respiratory System Larynx Trachea and Bronchi Lungs Diaphragm

The Larynx Marks the beginning of the lower respiratory system Provides us with a means of speech Passes purified air into the trachea Larynx prevents food and drink from entering the trachea

The Trachea and Bronchi Often called the windpipe because air flows through it into the bronchi Trachea is a bit more than 4 in. long Bronchi start at about shoulder level As they move into the lungs, they become smaller Bronchioles are somewhat like capillaries Get smaller as they extend deeper into the lungs, eventually reaching a diameter of about half a millimeter Incoming air passes from the bronchi to the lungs

The Lungs The apex is the tip of the right lung that points upward The bottom part of the right lung, called the base, rests on top of the diaphragm The left lung is almost identical, except for an indentation on its inner side to accommodate the heart

The Lungs Cont. The air flows through the bronchioles and branches off into tiny passageways and sacs, called alveoli (singular alveolus) Alveoli receive oxygen from the air so that it can be picked up by the blood in the capillaries associated with them

The Diaphragm Located at the very bottom of the respiratory system Initiates the breathing process When the diaphragm moves downward, the partial vacuum thus formed draws air into the lungs When it pushes upward, air is expelled from the lungs

Structure and Function

Alveoli Singular: alveolus From the latin word alveus “trough” Small cavities in which oxygen is removed from the air delivered by the bronchioles.

Apex Latin: tip Word used to describe the upper tip of each lung

Base Common English word Word used to describe the bottom of each lung

Bronchi Singular: bronchus Latin: windpipe Tubes (right and left) branching off from the trachea and into the lungs

Bronchiole From the Latin word bronchiolus “small windpipe” Very small branches of bronchi that extend into the lungs

Diaphragm From the Greek word diaphragma “partition” Muscular partition at the base of the thoracic cavity

Phrenic Phren/o- diaphragm; -ic (adjective suffix) Adjective referring to the diaphragm; synonymous with diaphragmatic

Epiglottis Epi- outside; glottis- opening of the windpipe A mucous membrane covered leaf shaped piece of the cartilage at the root of the tongue

Larynx Vocal cords; voice box

Nasal Nas/o- nose; -al (adjective suffix) Adjective referring to the nose

Pharynx Greek word meaning “throat” Passageway just below the nasal cavity and mouth

Pulmonary From the latin word “pulmo” (lung) Adjective frequently used to modify another term in or associated with the lungs

Trachea From the Greek word “tracheia” meaning rough windpipe

Surgical Procedures

Bronchoplasty: Surgical repair of the bronchus Bronchorrhapy: Suturing of the bronchus Bronchotomy: Incision into a bronchus

Laryngectomy: Excision of the larynx Laryngoplasty: Surgical repair of the larynx Laryngotomy: Incision into the larynx

Pharyngoplasty: Surgical repair of the pharynx Pharyngotomy: Incision into the pharynx

Pneumonectomy: Removal of the pulmonary lobes from a lung Pneumonopexy: Surgical fixation of a lung Pneumonorraphy: Suturing of a lung Pneumonotomy: Incision into a lung

Rhinoplasty: Surgery performed on the nose Rhinotomy: Surgical incision into the nose

Sinusotomy: Incision into a sinus Tracheoplasty: Surgical repair of the trachea Tracheotomy: Incision into the trachea for the purpose of restoring airflow to the lungs

Practice and Practitioners

Laryngology: Branch of the medical study concerned with the larynx and diagnosis and treatment of its diseases Rhinology: Branch of medical study concerned with the nose and diagnosis and treatment of its diseases Rhinologist: One who specializes in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of abnormal conditions of the nose

More Terms More Terms

Atelectasis Reduction or absence of air in part or all of a lung, resulting in loss of lung volume

Pertussis An acute infectious inflammation of larnyx, trachea, and bronchi caused by Brodetella pertussis

Tuberculosis Disease caused by presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, most commonly affecting the lungs