The Respiratory System

Respiratory System Parts of the Respiratory System Is the set of organs that supply your body with oxygen and rid your body of carbon dioxide Parts of the Respiratory System Nose/Mouth- passages for air Epiglottis- flap of tissue in back of mouth that covers the trachea to prevent food from entering it Bronchi-two tubes that branch from the trachea; one tube leads to each lung

Parts of the Respiratory system Diaphragm- large dome-shaped muscle below the lungs that expands and relaxes to produce breathing Trachea- tube in throat that takes air to and from lungs (also called windpipe) Lungs- two large organs that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide

Parts of the respiratory system Larynx- during sound production, the vocal cords close together and vibrate as air expelled from the lungs passes between them Pharynx- allows air, foods, and fluids to pass through Pleural cavity- a sac composed of two thin membrane layers encloses each lung. A fluid secreted by one of these pleural membranes allows them to slide over each other easily during breathing

The breathing process INHALING- your diaphragm moves down and your rib cage expands, creating more room in your chest. This causes air to to rush into your body. The air enters through the nose or mouth, then moves past the epiglottis and into the trachea and bronchi. INSIDE THE LUNGS- the bronchi divide into smaller passages called bronchioles. Air passes through the bronchioles into the alveoli, which are surrounded by capillaries. Here the oxygen in the air moves into your bloodstream, and carbon dioxide from the blood enters the alveoli. EXHALING- your diaphragm pushes up, and your ribs move in and down, forcing the air out of your lungs. The air, now containing carbon dioxide, moves back through the bronchioles and bronchi, up the trachea, and out through the nose or mouth

PROBLEMS OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Disease or Disorder Description Treatment COLD/FLU Diseases caused by viruses; symptoms include runny nose, cough, fever, and aches Bed rest and fluids; vaccines can prevent some types of flu PNEUMONIA Bacterial or viral disease that affects the lungs; symptoms include fever, chest pain, breathing difficulty Antibiotics for bacterial type; bed rest for viral type ASTHMA Disease in which airways narrow; symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing Medication to relieve symptoms; avoiding activities or substances that trigger attacks

Disease or Disorder Description Treatment TUBERCULOSIS Bacterial disease that affects the lungs; symptoms include cough, fatigue; can be fatal Antibiotics EMPHYSEMA Disease in which alveoli harden and denigrate; symptoms include extreme difficulty in breathing; almost entirely caused by smoking No known cure; pure oxygen can make breathing easier LUNG CANCER Uncontrolled growth of cells that reproduce abnormally in lungs; often caused by smoking Surgery, radiation, and medications; survival rates are very low

CARING FOR YOUR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Don’t smoke Avoid people and situations that would expose you to tobacco smoke in the air Take care of your body when you have a cold, flu, or any other respiratory illness