Respiratory System

Several organs of the respiratory system are responsible for the process of
breathing. The nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs work together to
allow gas exchange to occur at the cellular level. Air breathed in through the nose
and mouth enters into the lungs at a continual pace to provide a new supply of
oxygen the body needs to work properly.

The primary function of the respiratory system is to allow the lungs to take in
atmospheric oxygen through inhalation and dispose of the waste products the body
does not need through exhalation.

Inhalation is an active motion that causes the diaphragm to contract. During

inhalation the diaphragm moves downward as it contracts, increasing the size of the
chest cavity. This creates a space of emptiness, which causes air to enter in through
the nose or mouth.

Exhalation is a passive process because muscle contraction does not occur. During
exhalation, the diaphragm moves back up as the stretched lung bounces back to its
normal position. As the lung returns to normal position, carbon dioxide, a waste
product created by the body, moves out of the lungs through the mouth and nose.

Functions of Organs in Respiratory System

Respiration begins when oxygen enters into the body through the nose and the
mouth. The oxygen then travels through the trachea and pharynx where the trachea
divides into two bronchi. Here the bronchi are divided into bronchial tubes, in the
chest cavity, so air can be directly moved into the lungs.

Nose
The nose is the primary upper respiratory organ in which air enters into and exits
from the body. Cilia and mucus line the nasal cavity and traps bacteria and foreign
particles that enter in through the nose. In addition, air that passes through the
nasal cavity is humidified and moistened.

The nasal septum divides the nose into two narrow nasal cavities: one area is
responsible for smell and the other area is responsible for respiration. Within the
walls of the nasal cavity there are frontal, nasal, ethmoid, maxillary, and sphenoid
bones. Cartilage helps form the shape of the nose.

Pharynx
Besides the nose, air can enter into the lungs through the mouth. The pharynx is a
tubular structure, positioned behind the oral and nasal cavities, that allows air to
pass from the mouth to the lungs. The pharynx contains three parts: The
nasopharynx, which connects the upper part of the throat with the nasal cavity; the
oropharynx, positioned between the top of the epiglottis and the soft palate; and
the laryngopharynx, located below the epiglottis.

Larynx
From the pharynx, air enters into the larynx, commonly called the voice box. The
larynx is part of the upper respiratory tract that has two main functions: a
passageway for air to enter into the lungs, and a source of vocalization. The larynx
is made up of the hyoid bone and cartilage, which helps regulate the flow of air. The
epiglottis is a flap-like cartilage structure contained in the larynx that protects the
trachea against food aspiration.

Bronchi
The bronchi allow the passage of air to the lungs. The trachea is made of c-shaped
ringed cartilage that divides into the right and left bronchus. The right main
bronchus is shorter and wider than the left main bronchus. The right bronchus is
subdivided into three lobar bronchi, while the left one is divided into two lobar
bronchi.

Lungs
The lungs are spongy, air-filled organs located on both sides of the chest cavity. The
left lung is divided into a superior and inferior lobe, and the right lung is subdivided
into a superior, middle, and inferior lobe. Pleura, a thin layer of tissue, line the lungs
to allow the lungs to expand and contract with ease.

Respiration is the primary function of the lungs, which includes the transfer of
oxygen found in the atmosphere into the blood stream and the release of carbon
dioxide into the air.

Alveoli
The average adult has about 600 million alveoli, which are tiny grape-like sacs at
the end of the respiratory tree. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases
occurs at the alveolar level. Although effort is required to inflate the alveoli (similar
to blowing up a balloon), minimal effort is needed to deflate the alveoli (similar to
the deflating of a balloon).

Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a muscular structure located between the thoracic and abdominal
cavity. Contraction of the diaphragm causes the chest or thorax cavity to expand,
which occurs during inhalation. During exhalation, What is the respiratory system?
Your respiratory system is made up of the organs in your body that help you to
breathe. Remember, that Respiration = Breathing. The goal of breathing is to
deliver oxygen to the body and to take away carbon dioxide.

Parts of the respiratory system

Lungs
The lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system. In the lungs oxygen is
taken into the body and carbon dioxide is breathed out. The red blood cells are
responsible for picking up the oxygen in the lungs and carrying the oxygen to all the
body cells that need it. The red blood cells drop off the oxygen to the body cells,
then pick up the carbon dioxide which is a waste gas product produced by our cells.
The red blood cells transport the carbon dioxide back to the lungs and we breathe it
out when we exhale.
Contents

Trachea
The trachea (TRAY-kee-uh} is sometimes called the windpipe. The trachea filters
the air we breathe and branches into the bronchi.
Contents
Bronchi
The bronchi (BRAHN-ky) are two air tubes that branch off of the trachea and
carry air directly into the lungs.
Contents

Diaphragm
Breathing starts with a dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of the lungs called
the diaphragm (DY-uh-fram). When you breathe in, the diaphragm contracts. When
it contracts it flattens out and pulls downward. This movement enlarges the space
that the lungs are in. This larger space pulls air into the lungs. When you breathe
out, the diaphragm expands reducing the amount of space for the lungs and forcing
air out. The diaphragm is the main muscle used in breathing.
Contents

Why Do I Yawn?
When you are sleepy or drowsy the lungs do not take enough oxygen from the
air. This causes a shortage of oxygen in our bodies. The brain senses this shortage
of oxygen and sends a message that causes you to take a deep long breath---a
YAWN.
Contents

Why Do I Sneeze?
Sneezing is like a cough in the upper breathing passages. It is the body's way of
removing an irritant from the sensitive mucous membranes of the nose. Many

things can irritate the mucous membranes. Dust, pollen, pepper or even a cold blast
of air are just some of the many things that may cause you to sneeze.

What Causes Hiccups?

Hiccups are the sudden movements of the diaphragm. It is involuntary --- you
have no control over hiccups, as you well know. There are many causes of hiccups.
The diaphragm may get irritated, you may have eaten to fast, or maybe some
substance in the blood could even have brought on the hiccups the release of the
diaphragm causes the chest or thorax cavity to contract
. RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS
Is sinusitis a respiratory condition?
How is reactive airway disease related to a respiratory condition?
Was there a respiratory outbreak in 2002?
The respiratory system is the group of tissues and organs in your body that enable
you to breathe. The respiratory system includes the airways - nose, mouth, voice
box (larynx), trachea (windpipe) and bronchial tubes, the lungs and their blood
vessels and the muscles that help you breathe -- including but not limited to the
diaphragm and intercostal, abdominal and neck muscles.
Because the respiratory system is made up of so many different tissues and organs,
there are a lot of things that can go wrong and subsequently a lot of different
diseases that can affect it.
Some of the many diseases that can affect the respiratory system include:
Laryngitis - Swelling and irritation of the larynx
Bronchitis - An infection in your bronchial tubes
Tonsillitis - Inflammation of the tonsils
Pneumonia - An infection deep in your lungs
Bronchiectasis - Widening and destruction of the airways, often caused by recurrent
infection or inflammation
Influenza (the flu) - A virus that enters your body through your nose and mouth and
causes fever, headaches, muscle aches and sore throat
Asthma - A chronic disease in which your airway walls become sore and swollen,
narrowing so that your lungs get less air

Tuberculosis (TB) - A bacterial infection that attacks the lungs and other parts of the
body and can be deadly if not treated correctly
Lung cancer - One of the most common cancers in the world, usually caused by
cigarette smoke
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - Damage of the airways and air sacs
from cigarette smoke and other pollutants that prevents airflow in and out of your
lungs
Emphysema - A type of COPD, usually caused by cigarette smoke, which makes it
hard to catch your breath
Pulmonary embolism (PE) - A blood clot that blocks a lung artery because of surgery
or long periods of inactivity