1. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

2. PYRAMID POINTS Functions of each part of the respiratory system
Alterations that occur in the various parts of the respiratory system
The effect on the respiratory system when a disorder occurs
The function of the alveoli and the respiratory process
The effect of treatments and procedures on the respiratory process

3. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM PRIMARY FUNCTIONS
Provides oxygen for metabolism in the tissues
Removes carbon dioxide, the waste product of metabolism
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS
Facilitates sense of smell
Produces speech
Maintains acid-base balance
Maintains body water levels
Maintains heat balance

4. UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT
Nose
Sinuses
Pharynx
Larynx
Epiglottis

5. UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT
From Monahan, F. & Neighbors, M. (1998). Medical-surgical nursing: Foundations for clinical practice, ed 2, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

6. UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT
NOSE
Humidifies, warms, and filters inspired air
SINUSES
Air-filled cavities within the hollow bones that surround the nasal passages
Provide resonance during speech

7. UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT
PHARYNX
Located behind the oral and nasal cavities
Divided into the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx
Passageway for both the respiratory and digestive tracts

8. UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT
LARYNX
Located above the trachea and just below the pharynx at the root of the tongue
Commonly called the voice box
Contains two pairs of vocal cords, the false and true cords
The opening between the true vocal cords is the glottis
The glottis plays an important role in coughing, which is the most fundamental defense mechanism of the lungs

9. UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT
EPIGLOTTIS
Leaf-shape elastic structure that is attached along one end to the top of the larynx
It prevents food from entering the tracheobronchial tree by closing over the glottis during swallowing

10. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT
Trachea
Mainstem bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveolar ducts and alveoli
Lungs

11. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT
From Monahan, F. & Neighbors, M. (1998). Medical-surgical nursing: Foundations for clinical practice, ed 2, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

12. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT
TRACHEA
Located in front of the esophagus
Branches into the right and left mainstem bronchi at the carina

13. TRACHEA
From Wilson SF, Giddens JF: Health Assessment for Nursing Practice, ed. 2, St. Louis, 2001, Mosby.

14. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT
MAIN STEM BRONCHI
Begins at the carina
The right bronchus is slightly wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left bronchus
The mainstem bronchi divide into five secondary or lobar bronchi that enter each of the five lobes of the lung
The bronchi are lined with cilia, which propel mucus up and away from the lower airway to the trachea where it can be expectorated or swallowed

15. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT
BRONCHIOLES
Branch from the secondary bronchi and subdivide into the small terminal and respiratory bronchioles
They contain no cartilage and depend on the elastic recoil of the lung for patency
The terminal bronchioles contain no cilia and do not participate in gas exchange

16. BRONCHIOLE
From Monahan, F. & Neighbors, M. (1998). Medical-surgical nursing: Foundations for clinical practice, ed 2, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

17. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT
ALVEOLAR DUCTS AND ALVEOLI
Alveolar ducts branch from the respiratory bronchioles
Alveolar sacs, which arise from the ducts, contain clusters of alveoli, which are the basic units of gas exchange
Cells in the walls of the alveoli secrete surfactant, a phospholipid protein that reduces the surface tension in the alveoli; without surfactant, the alveoli would collapse

18. ALVEOLI
From Thibodeau GA, Patton KT: Anatomy and Physiology, ed. 4, St. Louis, 1999, Mosby. Courtesy of Network Graphics.

19. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT
LUNGS
Located in the pleural cavity in the thorax
Extend from just above the clavicles to the diaphragm, the major muscle of inspiration
The right lung, which is larger than the left, is divided into three lobes: the upper, middle, and lower lobe
The left lung, which is somewhat narrower than the right lung to accommodate the heart, is divided into two lobes

20. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT
LUNGS
Innervation of the respiratory structures is accomplished by the phrenic nerve, vagus nerve, and thoracic nerves
The parietal pleura lines the inside of the thoracic cavity, including the upper surface of the diaphragm
The visceral pleura covers the pulmonary surfaces

21. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT
LUNGS
A thin fluid layer which is produced by the cells lining the pleura, lubricates the visceral and parietal pleura, allowing them to glide smoothly and painlessly during respiration
Blood flow through the lungs occurs via the pulmonary system and the bronchial system

22. ACCESSORY MUSCLES OF RESPIRATION
SCALENE MUSCLES
Elevate the first two ribs
STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID MUSCLES
Raise the sternum
TRAPEZIUS AND PECTORALIS MUSCLES
Fix the shoulders

23. THE RESPIRATORY PROCESS
The diaphragm descends into the abdominal cavity during inspiration, causing negative pressure in the lungs
The negative pressure draws air from the area of greater pressure, the atmosphere, into the area of lesser pressure, the lungs
In the lungs, air passes through the terminal bronchioles into the alveoli to oxygenate the body tissues

24. THE RESPIRATORY PROCESS
At the end of inspiration, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax and the lungs recoil
As the lungs recoil, pressure within the lungs becomes greater than atmospheric pressure, causing the air, which now contains the cellular waste products of carbon dioxide and water, to move from the alveoli in the lungs to the atmosphere
Expiration is a passive process

25. DIAPHRAGM
From Herlihy B, Maebius NK: The human body in health and illness, Philadelphia, 2000, W.B. Saunders.

26. INSPIRATION AND EXPIRATION
From Monahan, F. & Neighbors, M. (1998). Medical-surgical nursing: Foundations for clinical practice, ed 2, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.