Respiratory System

Respiratory System Anatomy Nasal Cavities – Air enters the nostrils, and passes through the nasal cavities, where air is warmed and moistened. Foreign particles, such as dirt and dust are filtered out by the hairs, and trapped in the mucous. sinuses The sinuses are cavities in the skull lined with mucous membranes, that opens into the nasal cavities.

Respiratory System Anatomy – con’t - Pharynx Pharynx – the throat, which carries air into the respiratory tract. Larynx Larynx – commonly called the “voice box”, located between the pharynx and the trachea. The vocal cords on the larynx vibrate to produce sound as air passes over them. Did you know…. A difference in the size of the larynx will produce different sounds.

Respiratory System anatomy –con’t - The Epiglottis – is a flap of cartilage that covers the trachea when you swallow, to prevent aspiration of food. The Trachea – is also known as the “windpipe” and is made of cartilage so that it does not collapse easily. At the inferior end of the trachea, it divides into two stems, known as the Bronchi, one leading to each lung.

Respiratory System Anatomy – Con’t - The Bronchioles – are the smallest tubes at the end of the bronchi. At the end of each bronchiole are Alveoli. Alveoli are the small air sacs in which gas exchange takes place. They are thin walled, and covered with capillaries. Oxygen enters the bloodstream and CO2 leaves the bloodstream here. Both of these structures lie within a larger structure, the LUNGS. The lungs lie in an area called the “pleural space”

Respiratory System anatomy - Con’t - The respiratory tract is lined with special cells that have cilia. Cilia are tiny projections, like fingers, that move impurities out of the airway to the throat. There, they can be coughed out or swallowed. Ever wonder what makes the “smoker’s cough”??? The smoke from cigarettes destroys the cilia, so debris is not swept out of the respiratory system, but enters the lungs. This leads to cough, mucous in the lungs, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

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The Diaphragm is a muscle that sits under the lungs. Movement of the diaphragm muscle downward, and the ribcage forward allows inhalation of air. Movement of the diaphragm upward, and the ribcage inward, allows exhalation of air.

Surfactant Cells in the alveoli produce a substance called surfactant. Surfactant helps prevent the collapse of alveoli and eases the expansion of the lungs.

The wonders of surfactant! Very preterm babies have lungs that do not yet produce surfactant. This is one of the most critical issues of preemies. Long ago, a very preterm baby could not survive. Now, babies as young as 23 weeks gestation (normal pregnancy is 40 weeks) have a chance of survival. Surfactant can be administered by placing a tube in the trachea. We can make it!

Respiration Respiration is regulated by the brain, in response to chemical stimuli created by the body. The medulla and pons, in the brain stem, control the respiratory rate. When carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the blood change, chemoreceptors detect this and send signals to our nervous system. Our respiratory rate will change to normalize the CO2 or O2 levels in our blood.

What else is the Medulla Oblongata good for??? Well, maybe neither Mama nor Colonel Sanders was right in this case. While the Medulla Oblongata controls things like reflexes, swallowing, heart rate, respiratory rate, and even plays a part in our “fight or flight” response, other areas of the brain play a greater role in emotion.

Problems with Respiration…. Tachypnea – fast breathing Apnea – temporary cessation of breathing Dyspnea – labored or difficult breathing Cyanosis – a blue color of the skin caused by a low amount of oxygen in the blood Hypoxia – lower than normal oxygen levels in the tissues Oh, dear! They seem CYANOTIC!

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) is an infection involves the nose and throat. Examples can include a common cold, strep throat, or a sinus infection. Symptoms may or may not include: fever, headache, runny nose, cough, sore throat, sneezing, and “head” congestion.

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS Influenza – or flu, is a communicable disease characterized by inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, fever, aches and pains. It may spread to the trachea and bronchi, which can lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia – is an inflammation of the lungs in which the air spaces become filled with fluid. Bacteria and viruses may be responsible. Those who are already sick or have had surgery are especially at risk. TB – or tuberculosis, is a bacterial infection. It can travel in the air. The bacteria can cause lesions, or sores, on the lungs, which may break down lung tissue. Can be deadly if not treated, and is very contagious!

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS Asthma – is a condition where the airway becomes inflamed, and restricts the flow of air into and out of the lungs. This creates a wheezing sound that is usually easily heard. Wheezing is high-pitched, and may even sound like a whistling noise when the sufferer tries to breathe. COPD – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This can be caused by lung damage such as damage cause by smoking. COPD can lead to death if one’s health habits are not adjusted.

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS Lung Cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths. Smokers have a 10X greater risk of suffering from this cancer than does someone who does not smoke. Sometimes, a tumor on the lung can be removed, and sometimes a large part of the lung must be removed. If the tumor grows until the person’s airway is blocked, they cannot survive. Cancer, of course, can spread to other parts of the body and cause many other problems.

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS Pneumothorax – (collapsed lung) occurs hen air enters the space around the lung. This may be caused by a wound, or a broken rib puncturing the pleural space, the space the lung sits in. Hemothorax – occurs when the chest is wounded and the person has blood collecting into the pleural space. Both conditions can cause trouble breathing, and medical professionals must insert a large needle into the pleural space to drain off the excess air or blood.

Thoracentesis is the name of the procedure in which the pleural space is emptied of excess blood, fluid, or air. This will assist the lung to re-expand so that the patient can breathe easier.

Careers Respiratory Therapist – provides therapy to those who are having respiratory issues. This may include starting an oxygen treatment, intubating a patient (putting a breathing tube down their trachea for artificial ventilation), instructing them on breathing exercises to keep their lungs healthy and prevent pneumonia while in the hospital, and collecting blood specimens to test the oxygen and CO2 levels.

Pulmonologist – a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders, diseases, and abnormalities of the respiratory system.

I hope you’ve all learned a lot about the respiratory system’s anatomy, some of the disorders that can affect it, and a few of the great careers that are available to treat people with respiratory disorders. Complete the study guide, located in the “class activities” section on Insights.