Respiratory System
Respiratory System
• Lungs & Air passages
• Responsible for taking in oxygen and
removing carbon dioxide (CO2)
• 4 – 6 minute supply of oxygen
• Includes: nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea,
bronchi, alveoli, and lungs
Nose
• 2 nostrils
• Nasal septum
• Nasal cavities
– Lined with a mucous membrane
– Rich blood supply
– Air is warmed, filtered, and moistened
Nose
• Nasal cavities
– Mucous helps trap pathogens and dirt
– Cilia
• Tiny hairlike structures in nasal cavity
• Also trap dirt and pathogens as they enter nose so they can
be pushed toward the esophagus and be swallowed
– Olfactory receptors
– Nasolacrimal ducts drain tears from the eye into the
nose to provide additional moisture for the air
Sinuses
• Cavities in the skull around the nasal area
• Connected to the nasal cavity by short
ducts
• Lined with mucous membrane that warms
and moistens air
• Also provide resonance for the voice
Pharynx
• Lies directly behind the nasal cavities
• Three sections
– Nasopharynx
• Upper section behind nose
– Oropharynx
• Middle section behind oral cavity
– Laryngopharynx
• bottom section
• Branches to esophagus & trachea
Larynx
• Voice box (Adam's apple)
• Lies between the pharynx and trachea
• Vocal cords
– Opening between cords is called the glottis
– Vocal cords vibrate and produce sound
– Tongue and lips act on the sound to produce
speech
The larynx (superior view).
Epiglottis
• Special piece of cartilage
• Leaf like structure that closes the opening
into the larynx during swallowing
• Prevents food and liquids from entering
the respiratory tract
Trachea
• Tube carries air
between the pharynx
and bronchi
• Series of c-shaped
cartilage
Bronchi
• Two divisions of the trachea near the
center of the chest
• Each bronchus enters a lung
• Smaller branches are called bronchioles
• End in air sacs called alveoli
Alveoli
• Air sacs
– 500 million alveoli
– Contain rich network of blood capillaries
– Inner surface of alveoli are covered with
surfactant
• Lipid or fatty substance
• Helps prevent alveoli from collapsing
Lungs
• Organs that contain divisions of the
bronchi and alveoli
• Right lung has three sections or lobes
• Left lung has only two lobes
• Pleura is membrane or sac enclosing each
lung
Health Lung Tissue
Organs of the respiratory
system
Structures of the Respiratory
System
• Diaphragm
• Muscle that separated the lower portion of
the thoracic cavity from the abdominal
cavity.
– It contracts and moves down during
inspiration
– Expiration occurs when the diaphragm
Mechanics of Breathing
Pathway of air from the nose to the
capillaries of the lungs.
Tests for the Respiratory
System
• X-rays
• Used to look for diseases, tumors, foreign
bodies, or other changes over time.
• Take a deep breath & hold it during the xray
• No necklaces or earrings during
chest/head x-ray
Tracheostomy
•
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Tube is surgically inserted into wall of the trachea procedure is called tracheotomy
May need frequent suctioning (esp. at first)
•
Reason
A. Been on ventilator more than 2 weeks
More comfortable than a ventilator
Can speak with use of special device
Can eat
B. Upper airway obstruction (ex. Tumor)
C. Head and neck surgery (swelling)
D. Dysfunction of the larynx
E. Trauma to face with multiple fractures
F. Need to clear secretions in patients with depressed cough, neuro disorders, or
aspiration.
A) Tracheostomy.
B) Healed tracheostomy incision
Keeping an Open Airway
• Tube Thoracostomy
• Chest tube is passed through a small incision in
the skin to continuously drain pleural spaces
after thoracotomy.
• This is due to air in chest cavity
• Fluid, including blood in chest cavity
• Chest tube connected to a drainage system
• Drainage system is always kept lower than the
lungs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=tVqcn0rshW4
Endotracheal intubation
• Endotracheal intubation- the passage of a
tube through the nose or mouth into the
trachea for maintenance of the airway, as
during the administration of anesthesia.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5RAvxXGb4
Endotracheal intubation.
Pneumothorax- Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural
cavity, occurring as a result of disease or injury or as a
treatment of TB and other lung diseases.
Bronchogenic carcinoma.
Disorders of the Respiratory
System
• Anthrax
– Caused by spores of the bacterium
• Asthma attack
– May result from exposure to an allergen, cold
temperature, exercise, or emotion. Spasm and
narrowing of the bronchi which leads to bronchial
airway obstruction.
• Atelectasis
– A collapse of part or all of a lung, caused by a tumor
in the thoracic cavity, pneumonia, or injury
Disorders of the Respiratory
System (CONTINUED)
• Bronchitis
– An infection of the bronchi
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po3jPq5LT0g
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
– Occurs from breathing carbon monoxide
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
– A group of chronic respiratory disorders including
asthma, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary
emphysema. Chronic inflammation of the bronchi that
persists for a long time.
Disorders of the Respiratory
System (CONTINUED)
• Cold
– A respiratory infection
• Cystic fibrosis
– A genetic disorder of the exocrine glands
• Emphysema
– The alveoli lose elasticity and become dilated
and do not exchange gases well
Disorders of the Respiratory
System (CONTINUED)
• Hantavirus
– A respiratory condition spread by breathing in
materials contaminated by urine or saliva of infected
rodents such as deer mice and chipmunks
• Hay fever
– A respiratory inflammation caused by allergens such
as plants, dust, and food
• Lung cancer
– Directly linked to smoking and smoke products
Disorders of the Respiratory
System (CONTINUED)
• Pleural effusion
– A condition in which air or fluid enters the pleural
cavity
• Pleurisy
– An inflammation of the membranes that line the lungs
• Pneumonia
– An inflammation of the lungs, in which a buildup of
excessive moisture impairs breathing. Caused by
bacterial, viral or fungal infections.
Disorders of the Respiratory
System (CONTINUED)
• Pneumothorax.
• Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural
cavity, occurring as a result of disease or
injury or as a treatment of TB and other
lung diseases.
Disorders of the Respiratory
System (CONTINUED)
• Pneumoconiosis
– An inflammation in the lungs caused by
inhaled irritants
• Respiratory acidosis
– A buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood,
causing a lowered blood pH
• Respiratory alkalosis
– A deficiency of carbon dioxide in the blood
Disorders of the Respiratory
System (CONTINUED)
• Respiratory distress syndrome
–
A condition that occurs when the alveoli do
not inflate properly
• Sinusitis
– An inflammation of one or more of the
paranasal sinuses
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
– A respiratory disorder of newborns
Disorders of the Respiratory
System (CONTINUED)
• Tuberculosis (TB)
– Caused by bacteria that are difficult to
destroy, and it can be transmitted through the
air
• Upper respiratory infection (URI)
– Caused by a virus or bacteria in the nose,
pharynx, or larynx
WORKPLCE RISK
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A. Miners Anthracosis –coal dust in lungs
B. Chemicals
a. Computer Industry
Silicon Valley-exposure to toxic chemicals
Symptoms-memory loss, fatigue, impaired concentration, violent mood
swings, hypersensitivity to other chemicals
b. Pesticide Industry
c. Cleaning Products/Manufacturing
d. Chemical Plants
C. Wear protective gear when working in or near products which could be
damaging to your health if inhaled.
D. Know Silicosis-Silica or glass dust in the lungs occurs in mining
occupations.
E. Know Asbestosis-asbestos particles accumulate in the lungs.
F. Call Poison Control for Emergencies.