Respiratory Anatomy and
Physiology
THEA 2051
A human being is only breath and
shadow.
Sophocles
BREATH
Animals need three things to
survive; food, water and air.
Food and water can be stored
but air cannot.
Function of Respiration
• Primary function of breath is life
• O2 essential requirement for normal cell
metabolism
• CO2 major waste product
• Transport O2 to cells and transport CO2 to
lungs for excretion
• Air is expelled through MUSCLES
Inspiration
• Air moves in and out of the lungs in response to
pressure.
• When Alveolar pressure is negative it results in air
flow into the lungs
• Alveolar pressure becomes equal with atmospheric
pressure thorax stops expanding and airflow stops
• Gas flows from area of higher pressure
(concentration) to one of lower pressure
concentration)
Expiration
• Chest wall relaxes and the thorax and lungs
space decreases
• When Alveoli pressure is positive to
atmospheric pressure the result is air flow
out of the lungs
• Pressure becomes equal and gas movement
ceases
• Muscles of Inspiration contract creating
a negative pressure drawing air in.
• To equalize pressure in the lung’s two
forces, (active which is muscular and
passive which consists of gravity and
elastic recoil) empty them.
Elastic Recoil
Elastic recoil is an object’s ability, after its shape is changed through
forces to reclaim its original shape once those forces are removed.
Elastic recoil works on any tissue including muscles, bones and
organs. So as the muscles of inspiration relax the body springs back,
helping to empty the lungs.
Respiratory Volumes
• Vital Capacity is the maximum usable air.
• Includes:
– INSPIRATORY RESERVE VOLUME
– TIDAL VOLUME
– EXPIRATORY RESERVE VOLUME
Perkins and Kent, Textbook of Functional Anatomy of Speech, Language and
Hearing (4th Ed), Williams and Wilkins, 1993
Cont’d
• Residual volume- even after forced expiration a residual
amount of air is present in the alveoli
(2 L)
• Tidal volume- volume of gas inhaled or exhaled during a
normal breath
(500- 600ml)
• Inspiratory reserve volume- amount of gas that can be
forcefully expired after inspiration of normal tidal volume
(2 L)
• Expiratory reserve volume – expiration
(2 L)
TOTAL LUNG CAPACITY is 7 L
For Speech
• In speech we want to increase Tidal Volume.
We want to increase the 500ml amount to
use it more effectively and efficiently.
• Breath for life Thorax expands slightly
• Breath for speech Thorax expands
significantly
Upper Airway Anatomy
• Trachea- 15-20 “C” shaped cartilages,
anterior to esophagus
• Bronchial tree- primary bronchi divide
into R and L; divide into secondary
bronchi as they enter the lungs; form
bronchioles extend into each lobe
• Alveoli- primarily where gas exchange
takes place, coated with surfactant
which keeps them from collapsing
Breathing
Movement of Breath
• The THORAX increases in THREE WAYS
• VERICAL – Downward motion-Bicycle Pump
• TRANSVERSE- Bucket handle motion
• ANTEROPOSTERIOR – Water-Pump handle
motion
VERTICAL MOVEMENT
• Vertical expansion is achieved by lowering
of the Diaphragm.
VERTICAL MOVEMENT
The pelvic diaphragm
and the thoracic
diaphragm move
down when inspiring.
TRANSVERSE
• Transverse (Lateral) increase happens at the rib
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cage.
This movement is sometimes referred to as
BUCKET HANDLE.
The movement comes from the lower portion due
to CARTLIDGE as well as the shape of the ribs.
Lower ribs are shaped in direction of movement.
Upper ribs are more horizontal.
It is the outward movement which assists the
diaphragm as well as providing more space for
the lungs
Transverse
TRANSVERSE
Latarel Axis
Spine
Anterior-posterior axis
A torqued rib
ANTERPOSTERIOR
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This movement is less efficient (5-10%)
Increases the size of the cavity from the upper
chest, from sternum.
It is called PUMP HANDLE MOTION.
It is less flexible not as much breath can be
taken.
The expansion will not allow the intake of much
breath.
Diaphragm contracts down, increasing
the vertical dimension of the thorax.
Brain (medulla
and higher
centers) sends
impulse to
inspire.
Intercostals and
interchondral
muscles contract
expanding lateral
and anteriorposterior dimensions
of the thorax.
Contraction of the
diaphragm,
intercostals and
interchondral muscles
stop and elastic recoil
brings them to
released position.
Abdominal and
intercostals
muscles contract
decreasing thoracic
volume.
Pressure is
equalized in
the lungs.
EXPIRATION
INSPIRATION
Negative air
pressure is
created in the
lungs
Air is
drawn
into the
lungs.
Diaphragm and ribcage relax
decreasing the
vertical, lateral and
anterior-posterior
dimensions of the
thorax.
Gas is
expelled
from the
lungs.
Positive air
pressure is
created in the
lungs.
Types of Breathing
• Habit can create an emotional response – such as shallow
chest breathing and anxiety
• Combination of VERTICAL and LATERAL is most
efficient; there is greater muscular control possible
• VERTICAL move of the diaphragm down can sometimes
be confused with stomach breathing
• NOT EVERYBODYS MIND OR BODY WILL
CONNECT IN THE SAME WAY.
Lungs
• Smooth muscle in bronchioles, attached to heart
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by pulmonary artery and veins
Bases rest on diaphragm
Apex extends about 2.5 cm above clavicles
Left- two lobes
Right- three lobes
Separated and covered by pleural cavity
Pleural Cavity- visceral and parietal, pleural space
Breath
• This whole process feeds and cleans the
body. Breath is part of the organism and
like any another part its individual parts are
interrelated and any malfunction of one
affects the whole. Inspiration determines
expiration. Posture allows or inhibits
breath. Both posture and respiration
influence phonation and speech.
What is breath? Merriam-Webster’s first definition of breath is a
kind of “emanation”. Travelling down the lexicological path,
emanation is defined as;
1 a: the action of emanating: a flowing forth “experiencing our
consciousness as an emanation of the creative impulse that rules
the world” Albert Schweitzer; the emanation of light from a
candle
b : the origination of the world conceived in Neoplatonism not
as a creation out of nothing but as a series of hierarchically
descending radiations from the Godhead to nous and other
intermediate stages and ultimately to matter
c : the procession (as of Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit)
directly from the Godhead distinguished from creation as
used of mortal beings
Letting Go.
Breath itself is nominal. It is a concept. It
is about shaping the shapeless, snatching
order from chaos. Creation. Breath is the
intellectual emanation that creates the eye
of the storm. How can an emanation
support the physical action of speaking?
Through allowance, ease and trust.