Respiratory And Digestive
Systems
Liz Carroll
Hour ½
Intern Mini Topics
Respiratory System Review
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The respiratory system provides for
the intake and output of air and makes
it possible for the exchange of gases
between the blood and the air.
The components of the respiratory
system are the lungs and the series of
passageways leading in and out of
them.
There are two phases of respiration:
inspiration and expiration.
The main purpose of the system is to
supply oxygen to the body, expel
carbon dioxide, and to regulate the
bodies acid-base balances.
The Travel
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Air flows in a and out of the body through several passageways
including:
Nasal Cavity (Nasopharynx)
Pharynx (Oropharynx)
Epiglottis
Larynx (Voice box)
Trachea (Windpipe)
Bronchi (Left and Right Main stems)
Bronchioles
Alveolar ducts
Alveolar sacs
Lungs
Thoracic Cavity
How they work
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Nasal Cavity: It starts here and hair follicles filter out the air and mucus and
also warms the air
Pharynx: Tube from back of nose and throat. Air and food travel through
Epiglottis: Flexible leaf shaped cartilage that protects the trachea from
unwanted food and fluid
Larynx: Voice box that houses the vocal cords. Responsible for providing a
patent airway and it closes for food
Trachea: Windpipe. “C” shaped cartilaginous tube that runs towards lungs
and splits at the base into two bronchi
…Continued…
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Bronchioles: Branch of the main bronchi and bring air to the alveoli
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Alveolar ducts: entrances into the alveoli
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Alveolar sacs: around 300 million per lung. Capillaries are linked all
around and O2 and CO2 exchange in the blood
Lungs: Center of system. Encased by the Pleural sac
Thoracic Cavity: House the system surrounded by ribs and muscles
of the chest
Pleural Sac
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Fluid filled sac that aids in breathing
Diseases and Disorders
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There are several of these including:
Tonsillitis, Sinusitis, Influenza, Bronchitis,
Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, COPD, Croup….
All of these are range from acute to
chronic problems. They are common in
different age groups
Example croup is children and infants
usually and COPD is elderly
COPD… What is it?
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This is a chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Chronic Bronchitis, Asthma,
Emphysema, and any other chronic lung
or breathing diseases.
Affects all ages, but in particular elderly
What is it caused by?
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Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of
COPD. Most people who have COPD
smoke or used to smoke. Long-term
exposure to other lung irritants, such as
air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust, also
may contribute to COPD.
What does it do to the
passageways?
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In COPD, less air flows in and out of the
airways because of one or more of the
following:
The airways and air sacs lose their elastic quality.
The walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed.
The walls of the airways become thick and inflamed (swollen).
The airways make more mucus than usual, which tends to clog the
airways.
Alveoli
Stats
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COPD is a major cause of disability, and it's the
fourth leading cause of death in the United
States. More than 12 million people are currently
diagnosed with COPD. An additional 12 million
likely have the disease and don't even know it.
COPD develops slowly. Symptoms often worsen
over time and can limit your ability to do routine
activities. Severe COPD may prevent you from
doing even basic activities like walking, cooking,
or taking care of yourself.
How is it treated?
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medicines, vaccines, pulmonary
rehabilitation (rehab), oxygen therapy,
surgery, and managing complications
Also again lifestyle changes like quitting
smoking or exercising more
What happens if left untreated?
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This disease has no cure, but if caught
and lifestyle changes are made it allows
most people to return to regular activities.
If its left untreated it will sooner or later
destroy the system and the alveoli sacs
will become inflamed and thin and not be
able to provide for proper gas exchange
Digestive System
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The function of the digestive system is to prepare food
for absorption and use by the cells. The organs of the
alimentary canal alter the physical and chemical
composition of food so it can be used by the body
The components are the alimentary canal and associated
organs
Main purpose is to perform chemical and physical
breakdown of food so that it can be used by cells and
also the elimination of waste
Main organs
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Alimentary canal: Digestive track, leads to small
intestine to anus where feces is eliminated
Mouth and Pharynx: This is used for chewing
and saliva moistens food for easy breakdown
and then the throat takes the food to esophagus
Esophagus: tube that runs to stomach and uses
peristalsis to move the food
Stomach: temporary storage for food where
further digestion takes place. Contains
sphincters to control the entrance and exit of
food
Continued
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Small intestine: Pretty much all absorption
of food takes place here then the food
goes to bloodstream
Large intestine: Absorbs water from
indigestible food and eliminates poop
Anal Canal: Eliminates waste with use of
sphincters
Other Accessory organs
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Salivary glands
Teeth
Liver
Gall bladder
Pancreas
Appendix
Disorders and Diseases
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Cleft Palate
Mumps
Pernicious Anemia
Hemorrhoids
Jaundice
Diabetes
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease
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Inflammatory disease of the digestive
system which may affect any part of the
GI tract from the mouth to the anus.
What causes it?
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The disease occurs when the immune
system attacks the gastrointestinal tract
and for this reason, the true case is still
unknown
It is considered a inflammatory bowel
disease
#1 cause is smoking
Symptoms
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main gastrointestinal symptoms are
abdominal pain, diarrhea, (which may be
visibly bloody), vomiting, or weight loss.
Crohn's disease can also cause
complications outside of the
gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes,
arthritis, and inflammation of the eye.
Symptoms vary from individuals
How is it treated?
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Unlike the other major types of
Inflammatory bowel disease, there is no
known drug based or surgical cure for
Crohn's disease. Treatment options are
restricted to controlling symptoms, putting
and keeping the disease in remission and
preventing relapse.
Stats
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This is thought to be genetically
connected
Siblings are at highest risk
Males and females are equally effected
affects between 400,000 and 600,000
people in North America
Usually seen in teens-20’s and then again
in the 50’s
If left untreated…
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Colon Cancer
Chronic vomiting and diarrhea
Blockage
Burning
Ulcers
Colon Cancer
Crohnie sores
Ulcers
Review Questions
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Which part of the GI track does Crohn's Disease affect?
Name two of the problems that COPD results in. (pertaining to
the passageways)
What is the #1 cause of Crohn’s Disease?
What are the larynx and trachea also known as?
What is the function of the digestive system?
Where does the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide take
place?
What’s the center of the respiratory system?
What filters out the air and mucus before it enters the lungs?