RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

In humans, the respiratory tract is the part of

the anatomy of the respiratory system involved with the
process of respiration. Air is breathed in through the nose
or the mouth. In the nasal cavity, a layer of mucous
membrane acts as a filter and traps pollutants and other
harmful substances found in the air. Next, air moves into
the pharynx, a passage that contains the intersection
between the esophagus and the larynx. The opening of the
larynx has a special flap of cartilage, the epiglottis, that
opens to allow air to pass through but closes to prevent
food from moving into the airway.
From the larynx, air moves into the trachea and down to
the intersection that branches to form the right and left
primary (main) bronchi. Each of these bronchi branch
into secondary (lobar) bronchi that branch into tertiary
(segmental) bronchi that branch into smaller airways
called bronchioles that eventually connect with tiny
specialized structures called alveoli that function in gas
exchange.
The lungs which are located in the thoracic cavity, are
protected from physical damage by the rib cage. At the base of the lungs is a sheet of skeletal
muscle called the diaphragm. The diaphragm separates the lungs from the stomach and intestines.
The diaphragm is also the main muscle of respiration involved in breathing, and is controlled by
the sympathetic nervous system.
The lungs are encased in a serous membrane that folds in on itself to form the pleurae – a two-
layered protective barrier. The inner visceral pleura covers the surface of the lungs, and the
outer parietal pleura is attached to the inner surface of the thoracic cavity. The pleurae enclose a
cavity called the pleural cavity that contains pleural fluid. This fluid is used to decrease the amount of
friction that lungs experience during breathing.

Upper respiratory tract

The upper respiratory tract, can refer to the parts of
the respiratory system lying above the sternal angle (outside of
the thorax),[1] above the vocal folds, or above the cricoid
cartilage.[2][3] The larynx is sometimes included in both the upper
and lower airways.[4] The larynx is also called the voice box and
has the associated cartilage that produces sound. The tract
consists of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses,
the pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx) and
sometimes includes the larynx.

Lower respiratory tract

The lower respiratory tract or lower airway is derived from the
developing foregut and consists of the trachea, bronchi (primary,
secondary and tertiary), bronchioles (including terminal and
respiratory), and lungs (including alveoli).[5] It also sometimes
includes the larynx.
The lower respiratory tract is also called the respiratory tree or tracheobronchial tree, to describe
the branching structure of airways supplying air to the lungs, and includes the trachea, bronchi and
bronchioles.[6]

 trachea, main bronchus (diameter approximately 1 – 1.4 cm in adults)[7], lobar

bronchus (diameter approximately 1 cm), segmental bronchus (diameter 4.5 to 13 mm)[7],
subsegmental bronchus (diameter 1 to 6 mm)[7], conducting bronchiole, terminal bronchiole,
respiratory bronchiole, alveolar duct, alveolar sac, alveolus

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Right Side of the Heart (Goal is to get the blood to the LUNGS so it can become oxygenated)

1. The un-oxygenated blood (this is blood that has been “used-up” by your body that needs to be
resupplied with oxygen) enters to the heart through the SUPERIOR AND INFERIOR VENA CAVA.

2. Blood enters into the RIGHT ATRIUM

3. Then it is squeezed through the TRICUSPID VALVE

4. Blood then enters into the RIGHT VENTRICLE

5. Then it is squeezed into the PULMONIC VALVE

6. Blood is then shot-up through the PULMONARY ARTERY and then enters into the lungs for some
oxygen

Study Tip: Since the goal of the right side is to get blood to the lungs always remember that the pulmonic
valve and pulmonary artery will be on the right side since it is associated with the lungs. Remember in
medical terminology pulmon means lungs. This will help you keep from getting confused with the left side
of the heart.

Left Side of the Heart (Goal is to get the richly,

oxygenated blood to the body to feed the brain, tissue,
muscles, organs etc.)

7. Blood enters from the lungs through the PULMONARY

VEIN

8. Blood then enters into the LEFT ATRIUM

9. Down through the BICUSPID VALVE (also called mitral

valve or AV valve by some people but are all the same
thing)

10. Then blood is squeezed into the LEFT VENTRICLE

11. Up through the AORTIC VALVE

12. Lastly up through the AORTA, where it pumped

throughout the body
Three processes are essential for the transfer of oxygen from the outside air to the blood flowing
through the lungs: ventilation, diffusion, and perfusion.

 Ventilation is the process by which air moves in and out of the lungs.
 Diffusion is the spontaneous movement of gases, without the use of any energy or effort by
the body, between the gas in the alveoli and the blood in the capillaries in the lungs.
 Perfusion is the process by which the cardiovascular system pumps blood throughout the
lungs.

The primary function of the respiratory system is to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Inhaled
oxygen enters the lungs and reaches the alveoli. The layers of cells lining the alveoli and the
surrounding capillaries are each only one cell thick and are in very close contact with each other.
This barrier between air and blood averages about 1 micron (1/10,000 of a centimeter, or 0.000039 inch)
in thickness. Oxygen passes quickly through this air-blood barrier into the blood in the capillaries.
Similarly, carbon dioxide passes from the blood into the alveoli and is then exhaled.

Oxygenated blood travels from the lungs through the pulmonary veins and into the left side of the
heart, which pumps the blood to the rest of the body (see Biology of the Heart : Function of the
Heart). Oxygen-deficient, carbon dioxide-rich blood returns to the right side of the heart through two
large veins, the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. Then the blood is pumped through the
pulmonary artery to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.