Respiratory System

Respiratory Facts Breathing is controlled by the brain. Every minute we breathe, we take in 13 pints of air! We breathe about 9 to 20 times every minute.

Facts Continued… We inhale and exhale air about 22,000 times per day. Breathing is initiated by the diaphragm, which is a stretchable muscle under the lungs.

Facts Continued… When air passes through the nose, it gets filtered, moistened and warmed.

Facts Continued… A healthy lung is pink, spongy to touch and weighs a little over 2 pounds. Lungs contain 1000’s of tiny air sacs called alveoli that exchange the oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the blood.

Facts Continued… If alveoli were spread flat, they would cover a tennis court.

Facts Continued… A yawn is an involuntary respiratory reflex, which regulates the carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the blood. When we yawn, we take in more oxygen and become more alert.

Facts Continued… Why do we hiccup? http://www.mylifetime.com/original-webisodes/street-doctors/webisodes/video/street-doctors-what-are-hiccups

Nasal Cavity and Nasopharynx Nose Pharynx Mouth Adenoids and Tonsils Epiglottis Larynx Lung Esophagus Bronchi Trachea Bronchioles Pleural Membrane Alveoli Diaphragm

TYPES OF Respiration External – Oxygen from the air goes into the blood and carbon dioxide goes out of the blood and into the air. Internal – Oxygen passes from the blood to the cells and carbon dioxide passes from the cells to the blood. Cellular – Oxygen breaks down food for energy and carbon dioxide is the waste.

Respiratory System Nasopharynx – Upper cavity that lies in the back of the nose and above the roof of the mouth.

Respiratory System Pharynx – Throat cavity where the 7 tunnels converge. 7 tunnels = 2 nostrils, 1 mouth, 1 trachea, 1 esophagus, 2 eustachian tubes

Respiratory System Tonsils – Lymph tissue in the back of the mouth that trap and destroy bacteria.

Respiratory System Larynx – Voice box containing vocal cords. Exhales air passes over the vocal cords causing vibration/sound.

Vocal cords in action Video Stroboscopy Of The Vocal Cords - VidoEmo - Emotional Video Unity

Respiratory System Trachea – Windpipe extending from the base of the larynx through the neck and divides into two bronchi

Respiratory System Pleural Membrane – Protects the lung with fluid that prevents the lungs from rubbing against the chest cavity.

Respiratory System Alveoli – Tiny air sacs surrounded by capillaries where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.

Respiratory System Diaphragm – Muscle separating the chest cavity from the abdomen that draws the air in and pushes the air out.

Respiratory System Lungs – Two large spongy organs located within the rib cage that bring oxygen into the body and push carbon dioxide out.

Respiratory System Bronchi – Right and left branches from the trachea that lead into the lungs and divide and subdivide into bronchioles.

Respiratory System Bronchioles – Tiny divisions of the bronchi that resemble the branches of a tree. The walls of the tubes get thinner as the branches get smaller.

Respiratory System Nasal Septum – Thin sheet of cartilage and soft bone dividing the nasal cavity into right and left halves.

Respiratory System Sinuses – Spaces/cavities in the face and forehead that aid in warming and moisturizing the air, help give sound to a voice and lighten the skull.

Respiratory System Eustachian tubes – Connect the nasopharynx to the middle ears.

Respiratory System Adenoids – Lymph tissue located in the back of the nasopharynx that trap and destroy bacteria.

Respiratory System Epiglottis – Flexible tissue partially covering the opening to the larynx preventing food from entering the trachea and lungs.

How does the epiglottis work? HowStuffWorks "Swallowing"