Respiratory System

Lungs and Air Passages

• Take in O2• Removing CO2• 4-6 minute supply of 02• Must work continuously

Nose

• 2 nostrils or nares• Nasal septum

Nasal Cavities

• Lined with mucous membrane

• Rich blood supply• Mucous traps

pathogens and dirt• Cilia• Olfactory sensors• Nasolacrimal ducts

• Hollow air-containing spaces• Cavities in skull around nasal area• Lined with mucous membrane• Provides resonance for the voice

• Nasopharynx– Contains pharyngeal

tonsils or adenoids and eustachian tube openings

• Oropharynx– Middle section behind

oral cavity– Palatine tonsils– Food and air

• Laryngopharynx– Bottom section– Branches into trachea

and esophagus

• Epiglottis• Larynx• Trachea

• Bronchi-two divisions of the trachea near the center of the chest

• Each enters a lung• Continues to divide into

smaller bronchi• Bronchioles• Alveoli• Erythrocytes• Lungs• Diaphragm

Pathway of Air

Ventilation

• Process of breathing• Respiration– Diaphragm– Intercostal muscles

• Two phases– Inspiration– Expiration

Respiration

• Inspiration + Expiration = Respiration• Controlled by respiratory center in the

medulla oblongata• Vital Sign– 12-20 breaths/min.– Chest rise and fall

Abnormal Breathing

• Dysp/nea• Ap/nea• Tach/yp/nea• Brad/yp/nea• Orth/op/nea• Cyanosis

Respiratory Suffixes

• -ema condition• -osmia smell• -pnea breathing• -ptysis spitting• -sphyxia pulse• -thorax chest, plural cavity

Disorders

• Asthma– Sensitivity to allergen

• Symptoms– Dyspnea & wheezing– Coughing– Tightness in chest

• Triggers• Treatment

Disorders• Chronic Bronchitis• Etiological factors

– Smoking– Infection

• Symptoms– Excessive mucous– Wheezing & dyspnea– Chest pain– Prolonged expiration of air

• Treatment– Antibiotics– Bronchodilators– Respiratory Therapy– No cure

Disorders

• COPD• Any chronic lung disease that results in

obstruction of the airways• Smoking is primary cause; allergies and

chronic respiration infections are also factors

Disorders

• Emphysema• Hyperinflation of air sacs• Walls of alveoli deteriorate and lose elasticity– CO2 is trapped– Poor exchange of gases

• Causes– Heavy smoking– Prolonged exposure to air pollutants

Disorders

• Epistaxis (nosebleed)• Occurs when capillaries become congested• Causes– Irritation of mucous membranes (allergies)– Trauma– Vitamin K deficiency– Clotting abnormalities– Hypertension– Dehydration

Disorders

• Laryngitis• Inflammation of larynx and vocal cords• Frequently occurs with other respiratory

infections• Symptoms– Hoarseness or loss of voice– Sore throat– Dysphasia (difficulty swallowing)

Disorders

• Pleurisy• Inflammation of pleura or membranes of the

lungs• Usually occurs with pneumonia or other

infections• Symptoms– Sharp stabbing pain while breathing– Capitation or grating sounds in lungs– Dyspnea and fever

Disorders

• Pneumonia• Inflammation and infection of the alveoli with a build up

of fluid or exudates• Usually caused by a bacteria, virus or chemicals• Symptoms

– Chills– Fever– Chest pain– Productive cough– Dyspnea– Fatigue

Disorders

• Tuberculosis• Infectious disease of the lung caused by the bacterium

Myobacterium tuberculosis• “TB”• WBC surround invading TB organisms, wall them off

creating a nodule “tubercle”– Organisms remain dormant– Can cause an active case later is the body’s resistance is lowered

• Symptoms– Fatigue, chest pain, fever, night sweats, wt. loss– Hemoptysis (coughing up blood-tinged sputum)