RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Functions
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Gas exchange
Filters air
Warms air
Humidifies air
Speech/sound
Olfaction
Upper Respiratory
Tract

1.
2.
All structures are lined with mucous
membranes
Nose
Nasal cavity


Space posterior to nose
Divided by nasal septum
3. Nasal conchae


Divides nasal cavity into
passageways, increases surface area
Warms, moistens, filters incoming air
4. Paranasal sinuses


Frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, maxillary
Reduces weight of skull, resonating
chambers for speech
5. Pharynx
Passageway for food
and air
 3 parts




Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
laryngopharynx
6. Larynx
Voice production
 Composed of 9 pieces of cartilage, including:






Thyroid cartilage
Epiglottis
Vocal folds
Glottis
Cricoid cartilage
Lower Respiratory Tract
Trachea
1.
•
•
•
•
windpipe
lies anterior to esophagus
Divides into left & right
bronchi
C-rings support wall
Bronchiole Tree
2.
•
•
Branched passages that
connects trachea to alveoli
As tubes branch:
Amt. Of cartilage decreases
 Pseudostratified to cuboidal
to simple squamous
 Smooth muscle increases
(bronchoconstriction- histamine,

Lungs
3.
•
•
•
•
Covered by
pleural
membranes:
Parietal, visceral
Pleural cavity is
filled with serous
fluid
Each lung is
divided into lobes
by fissures: Right
has 3 lobes, left
has 2
Composed of over
300,000,000
alveoli
Lung Cancer
Causes



Cigarette smoking
Radon poisoning
Asbestos exposure
Asbestos


a naturally occurring fibrous
Mg silicate mineral popular
in manufacturing and
industry due to its strength,
chemical and thermal
stability. Types include:
chrysotile (which accounted
for 95% of industrial use),
amosite and crocidolite.
Exposure can lead to
mesothelioma
Where is it found






Insulation materials
Roofing
Siding
Floor tile
Fireproof gloves
Brake pads and lining
Asthma


Airways react by narrowing or obstructing when
they are irritated= bronchoconstriction
Symptoms:
 wheezing
 coughing
 shortness
of breath
 chest tightness
Provoking Factors



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Allergens (dust, mites, pollen, etc)
Cold air
Dust
Strong fumes
Exercise
Inhaled irritants
Emotional upsets
Smoke
Causes of Asthma


Unknown
Could be:
 Genetic
 Immune
defenses
 environment
Pneumonia



Inflammation of the lung: bacterial or viral
may also be caused from infections that spread to
the lungs through the bloodstream from other
organs (50%: viral)
Streptococcus pneumoniae: most common bacterial
form
Symptoms/treatment




Cough
High Fever (104)
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
TUBERCULOSIS
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Characteristics

Disease affecting the lungs, circulatory system, other
organs
 Primarily


Lungs
14.6 million infected in 2004
Spread through air
 Once
it enters the respiratory tract it begins to
replicate eventually spreading to other parts of the
body



Because the bacteria that cause tuberculosis are
transmitted through the air, the disease can be quite
contagious.
To be at risk, you must be exposed to the organisms
constantly, by living or working in close quarters with
someone who has the active disease.
bacteria generally stay dormant after they invade
the body; only 10% of people infected with TB will
ever come down with the active disease.


Tuberculosis is
characterized by
white lesions or
tubercles which
replace alveoli
with scar tissue
results in poor
gas exchange
between the
lungs and the
blood
Symptoms

Coughing
Wheezing
Chest pain
Fever, chills
Loss of appetite

Possibly death




TB skin test

Sleep Apnea




Responsible for Sudden infant death and snoring
Apneas are obstructive and decreases oxygen
getting to lungs
Adults: stop breathing for 10-20 s
Symptoms: Fatigue, headache, depression and
drawsiness