Major structures
•Nose -------- nas/o
•Sinuses ------ sinus/o
•Epiglottis ------ epiglott/o
•Pharynx -------- pharyng/o
•Larynx --------- blaring /o
•Trachea ------- trache/o
•Brocnchi ------- bronch/o, bronchi/o
•Alveoli -------- alveoli/o
•Lungs ------ pneum/o
Functions of the respiratory system:
1. Bring oxygen rich air into the body for delivery to
the blood cell.
2. Expel waste products (carbon dioxide and water).
3. Produce the air flow through the larynx that
makes speech possible.
Structure of the respiratory system
It is consists of
A. The upper respiratory tract, that consists of
1)Nose, which contains
•nasal cavity
•nasal septum
•Mucous membrane (mucus, cilia, olfactory
receptors).
2- Mouth which contain
•Tooth
•Tongue
•Gum
3-Pharynx which contain
•Nasopharynx
•Oropharynx
•laryngopharynx
4- Epiglottis which contain
•orophaynx and laryngopharynx
•Epiglottis
5-Larynx which contain
•voice box
•Larynex
•glottis
6- Trachea which contain
• Windpipe or airway
• Mucous membrane lining with cilia
• Smooth muscle with
c-shaped cartilage rings
• Divided into tow branches
• No gaseous exchange
B. The lower respiratory tract consist of
1. Bronchial tree
2. Lungs
Medical specialties related to the
respiratory system
A pulmonologist :
Is a physician who specializes in diagnosis and
treating disease.
A respiratory therapist (RT) :
Provides treatment of breathing problems.
Medical terms related to the
respiratory system
• Tonsils : Lymphatic tissue in the back of the
mouth near the throat.
• Breathing: a process by which air enters and
leaves the body.
• Inhalation: (or inspiration) is the flow of air
into the body.
• Exhalation (or expiration) is the flow of
the respiratory current out of the body.
The common terms related to respiratory system
term
Asthma
Bronchiectasis
Meaning
Chronic allergic disorder
characterized by breathing difficulty
coughing and wheezing
Chronic enlargement of bronchi
Epistaxis
Bleeding from nose
Pertussis
Whooping cough
Sinusitis
Inflammation of sinuses
Pharyngitis
Inflammation of pharynx
The common terms related to respiratory system
Term
Laryngitis
bronchitis
Pleural effusion
Meaning
Inflammation of larynx
Inflammation of bronchial wall
Abnormal escape of fluid into the pleural
cavity
hemothorax
Accumulation of blood in the plural
cavity
hemoptisis
Spitting of blood
Pulmonary edema Accumulation of fluid in lung tissue
tuberculosis
Infectious disease caused by
mycobacterium tuberculosis attached to
lung
The common terms related to respiratory system
Pneumonia
Inflammation of lungs the air sacs fill with
pus and other liquid
Tachypnea
Rapid rate of respiration more than 20
breath per minute
Bradypnea
low rate of respiration less than 10 breath
per minute
Absence of respiration
Difficult of breathing
Bluish discoloration of skin caused by lack
of oxygen
Visual examination of the bronchi
Apnea
Dyspnea
Cyanosis
Bronchscopy
LABORATORY TESTS AND DIAGNOSTIC
PROCEDURES
• Bronchoscopy: Visual examination of the bronchial tubes
with an endoscope. Computed tomography (CT) scan:
Cross-sectional x-ray images of the chest.
• Laryngoscopy: Visual examination of the larynx via the
placement of a flexible tube (laryngoscope) through the
nose or mouth and into the larynx.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Magnetic waves and
radiofrequency waves create images of the chest in three
planes of the body.
• Pulmonary angiography: X-ray images are taken of the
blood vessels in the lung after the injection of contrast
material into a blood vessel. A blockage, such as a
• pulmonary embolism, can be located with this procedure.