1. The Respiratory System

2. Function of the Respiratory System
The main function is the exchange of gases between the body and the environment.
External Respiration
The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that takes place between air and blood in the lungs.
Oxygen moves from the lungs into the blood, and carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the lungs

3. Function of the Respiratory System
Internal Respiration
The exchange of gases between blood and body cells.
Oxygen moves from the blood into the cells, and carbon dioxide moves from the cells into the blood.

4. The Breathing Process
The breathing process is made possible by creating a pressure difference between the lungs and the outside of the body.
When you inhale, the diaphragm and muscles between the ribs contract, expanding your chest cavity
When the lungs expand, the pressure inside them becomes lower than the pressure outside the body. Air naturally flows into the lungs to equalize pressure.

5. The Breathing Process
3. When you exhale, the same muscles relax and the volume of your chest cavity decreases, making the pressure in your lungs higher than the pressure outside your body. Air naturally flows out of your lungs to the area of lower pressure.

6. Structures of the Respiratory System
Air enters and exits the body through the nose and mouth
The membranes of the nose are lined with hair-like structures called celia and with cells that produce mucus.
Together the celia and mucus trap and remove foreign particles (dust, bacteria & viruses) that would otherwise move further into the respiratory system.

7. Structures of the Respiratory System
Air is warmed and moistened as it moves through the nasal passages and through the pharynx (throat) and into the trachea (windpipe), which is located in front of the esophagus.
Like the nasal passages, the tissue that lines the trachea is also covered in cilia and mucus to trap particles

8. Structures of the Respiratory System
The larynx (voicebox) connects the throat and the trachea. It contains the vocal cords, two bands of tissue that produce sound when air forced between them causes them to vibrate.
The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage located above the larynx that folds down to close off the entrance to the larynx and trachea when swallowing.

9. Structures of the Respiratory System
As the trachea reaches the lungs, it branches into two tubes called bronchi, which are the main airways that reach into each lung.
The lungs are the principle organs of the respiratory system and the site of external respiration. They are located in the chest cavity and are protected by the ribs. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity.

10. Structures of the Respiratory System
5. The bronchi divide and subdivide to form a network of smaller tubes called bronchioles.
At the end of each bronchiole are groups of microscopic structures called alveoli, which are thin-walled air sacs covered with capillaries.
Air exchange takes place as oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse across capillary and alveolar walls.

11. Care of the Respiratory System
Don’t smoke
Participate in regular physical activity.
Limit your exposure to pollutants in the air.
Participate in good hygiene (especially hand washing) to prevent infection.

12. Problems of the Respiratory System

13. Bronchitis
An inflammation of the bronchi caused by infection or exposure to irritants such as smoke and pollution.
The membranes which line the bronchi produce excessive mucus in the airway which narrows the diameter of the airway.

14. Bronchitis Symptoms include:
Coughing
Wheezing
Shortness of breath that worsens with activity
Treatment includes medication that dilates (widens) the bronchial passages.

15. Chronic Bronchitis
A more serious form of bronchitis, often caused by smoking.
Early detection and treatment is important because it can cause irreversible tissue damage.
Treatment includes eliminating exposure to the irritant.

16. Pneumonia
An inflammation of the lungs commonly caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
There are several types of lung infections, but most commonly the alveoli swell and become clogged with mucus, decreasing the amount of gas exchange.

17. Pneumonia Symptoms include:
Cough
Fever
Chills
Chest pain
Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics.

18. Pleurisy
An inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity which causes chest pain when breathing and coughing.

19. Asthma
An inflammatory condition in which the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles become narrowed, causing difficulty in breathing.
An asthma attack is characterized by the involuntary contraction of smooth airway muscles that leads to wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.

20. Asthma
Acute attacks can be relieved by an inhaler, which contains a bronchodilator that dilates (widens) the airway.
Long-term treatment includes using medication that reduces inflammation and avoiding substances that can trigger an attack.

21. Asthma Asthma triggers may include: Pollen Dust Animal dander
Tobacco smoke
Certain food preservatives
Aspirin
Inhaling cold air
Exercise

22. Sinusitis
An inflammation of the tissues that line the sinuses (air filled cavities above the nasal passages and throat).
Symptoms include nasal congestion, headache, and fever. In severe cases a yellowish discharge from the nose.
Treatment includes nasal decongestant drops or sprays, and antibiotics in severe cases.

23. Tuberculosis
A highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the lungs.
When a person is infected, the immune system surrounds the infected area and isolate it.
If the immune system is weakened by illness or advancing age, the infection can become active.

24. Tuberculosis Symptoms include
Cough
Fever
Fatigue
Weight loss
The number of reported cases of tuberculosis has increased in the U.S. in recent years.
The new strain of tuberculosis is resistant to the drugs we used to use to treat it.

25. Emphysema
A disease that progressively destroys the walls of the alveoli, which is usually caused by smoking.
Symptoms, which include difficulty breathing and chronic cough, can be treated, but the tissue damage is irreversible to the point where the lungs eventually cease to function.