Chapter 23: Respiratory System

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Learning Outcomes:
1. Explain the functions of the respiratory system.
2. Describe the structure and function of each of the following: nasal cavity,
pharynx, larynx, epiglottis, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, alveolus,
pleura
3. Define ventilation.
4. Explain how changes in alveolar volume cause air to move into and out of
the lungs.
5. Name two things that make the lungs recoil.
6. Describe the alveolar pressure changes and air movements associated
with inspiration and expiration.
7. Define tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve
volume, vital capacity, and residual volume.
8. According to Daltons law, what is the partial pressure of a gas?
9. According to Henrys law, how does the partial pressure and solubility of a
gas affect its concentration in a liquid?
10. Describe the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide across the
respiratory membrane and tissue capillaries.
11. Describe how oxygen is transported in the blood.
12. Describe how carbon dioxide is transported in the blood.
13. Explain how pH, carbon dioxide levels, and oxygen levels affect
respiratory rate.
Functions:
A. Supply body with oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide
B. Sound production
C. Olfactory sensation: smell
Respiration is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the cells
of the body and the atmosphere
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
A. Nose
B. Pharynx
1. Common opening for respiratory and digestive system; leads to larynx and esophagus
2. divided into three regions

a. nasopharynx: extends from internal nares to uvula; auditory tubes open into this
area; lined with mucous membrane
b. oropharynx: extends from uvula to epiglottis
c. laryngopharynx: extend from tip of epiglottis to opening sof the larynx and
esophagus
C. Larynx: voice box
1. attached to hyoid bone superiorly and continuous with trachea
2. three important functions:
a. provide open airway
b. act as switching channel to route air and food
c. voice production
3. Framework: consists of 9 cartilage connected by muscle and ligaments
a. thyroid cartilage: Adam's apple
b. cricoid cartilage: anchors larynx to trachea
c. epiglottic: flap that covers the glottis during swallowing
d. three pairs of small cartilage that forms walls of larynx
4. Two pairs of horizontal mucousal folds stretch across larynx
a. inferior folds: vocal folds or true vocal cords; produce sound
b. superior folds: false vocal cords
D. Trachea: windpipe
1. membranous tube reinforced by 15-20 C-shaped cartilage
E. Bronchi:
1. trachea divides into left and right primary bronchi
F. Lungs
1. occupy entire thoracic cavity
2. each lung is located in a pleural cavity
3. pleural cavity is lined with parietal pleura
4. visceral pleura covers each lung
5. pleural fluid fills cavity and provides lubrication
6. right lung has 3 lobes and left lung has 2 lobes
7. primary bronchi divide into smaller secondary bronchi which in turn divide (23 orders
of branching)
8. smaller branches are called bronchioles
9. smallest division include the terminal bronchioles which branch to form respiratory
bronchioles (attached to alveoli)

G. Alveoli: air sacs

1. sight of gas exchange between atmospheric air and blood
2. walls of alveoli composed of a single layer of squamous epithelium
3. elastic fibers are wrapped around the alveolus for support
4. alveoli are densely covered by pulmonary capillaries
5. cuboidal cells secrete surfactant to help reduce surface tension of the alveoli and
prevent them from collapsing
6. phagocytes ingest dust and microorganisms that may reach alveoli
Respiration: Two processes
External respiration: all processes involved in exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between
the interstitial fluids and external environment
Internal respiration: gas exchange between the interstitial fluids and cytoplasm of individual cells
Four aspects of external respiration:
1. Pulmonary ventilation: movement of air into body
2. Gas exchange at respiratory membrane
3. Storage and transport of gases in blood
4. Exchange of gases between blood and interstitial fluids
Pulmonary ventilation
1. physical movement of air into and out of the respiratory tract
2. maintains and ensures adequate alveolar ventilation
3.

physical laws govern movement of air: pressure differences

-difference between intrapulmonary pressure and atmospheric pressure determines the
direction of air flow

4. air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of lower pressure

5. in pulmonary ventilation, two pressures of interest:
a. atmospheric pressure: external environment
b. intrapulmonary pressure: inside respiratory tract
6. change pressure difference between atmospheric and intrapulmonary pressures by changing
the volume of pleural cavities
7. Boyle's Law: pressure is inversely proportional to volume, thus, increase volume, decrease
pressure
8. Change volume through contraction and relaxation of muscles of the thoracic cavity:
diaphragm and external intercostals
Respiratory Cycle: inspiration + expiration
inspiration/inhalation:
-muscles of thorax (diaphram and intercostals) contract

-thoracic volume increases causing the lungs to expand

-intrapulmonary pressure decreases below atmospheric pressure
-air moves into the lungs
expiration/exhalation:
-muscles relax
-thoracic volume decreases causing lung volume to decrease
-intrapulmonary pressure increase above atmospheric pressure
-air moves out of lungs
Respiratory Volumes
A. Tidal Volume: (TV) volume of air moved into and out of respiratory tract in one respiratory
cycle; during eupnea (quiet breathing)
B. Expiratory Reserve Volume: (ERV) maximum volume of air forced out of respiratory tract
after a normal exhalation
C. Inspiratory Reserve Volume: (IRV) maximum volume of air forceably inhaled after a normal
inspiration
D. Vital Capacity: (VC) maximum volume of air that can be moved into and out of the lungs in
one respiratory cycle; VC=TV+ERV+IRV
E. Residual Volume: (RV) volume of air in lungs after forced exhalation
F. Total Lung Capacity = VC + RV
G. Respiratory Rate: number of breaths per minute
H. Respiratory Minute Volume: volume of air moved each minute; TV x respiratory rate
Gas exchange in the body
A. determined by pressure differences
B. Dalton's law: total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases is the sum of the pressures exerted
independently by each gas in the mixture
C. Pressure exerted by each gas is it's partial pressure and is proportional to it's percentage in the
total gas mixture
1. example: air is 70% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, 9% carbon dioxide; pressure is 760 mmHg;
the partial pressure of oxygen is equal to 20% of 760 mmHg or 152 mmHg
D. Henry's law: when a gas is in contact with a liquid, each gas will dissolve in the liquid in
proportion to it's partial pressure
E. Movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and blood depends on partial
pressure differences: gas will move from areas of high pressure to areas of lower pressure
Gas Transport
A. Oxygen transport
1. only 3% of oxygen in blood is dissolved gas, rest (97%) is bound to hemoglobin

2. binding of oxygen to hemoglobin shows cooperativity, after binding of first oxygen to

first heme, subsequent binding is easier; allows for rapid uptake of oxygen at lungs
B. Carbon dioxide transport
1. 7% transported as dissolved gas
2. 23% bound to hemoglobin (globin chain)
3. 70% transported as bicarbonate ion
Neural regulation of respiratory rate
A. Medulla and pons are involved in regulating respiration
B. Chemical factors that affect breathing rate:
1. Partial pressure of carbon dioxide: most powerful stimulant; increases in carbon
dioxide in CNS will cause an increase in the breathing rate
2. Partial pressure of oxygen: affects PNS; substantial decrease in oxygen is needed to
affect breathing rate