Respiratory System

To carry out the gas exchange that occurs as we breathe.

Red blood cells collect the oxygen from the lungs and carry it to the parts of the body where it is needed. The red blood cells then collect the carbon dioxide and transport it back to the lungs, where it leaves the body when we exhale.

Decrease in oxygen

Complete lack of oxygen

Four minutes

The nose or mouth

To bring oxygen in, and to the sinuses

Hollow spaces in the skull.

to help regulate the temperature and humidity of the air we breathe.

connects the nasal and oral cavities with the larynx and esophagus. It is commonly referred to as the throat. In the digestive system, its muscular walls function in the process of swallowing and it serves as a pathway for the movement of food from the mouth to the esophagus. As part of the respiratory system, it allows for the movement of air from the nose and mouth to the larynx in the process of breathing.

The tonsils of the pharynx are lymphatic tissues that help protect the body from infections entering through the mouth and throat.

Cartilage is strong but flexible tissue. The tracheal cartilages help support the trachea while still allowing it to move and flex during breathing.

Right bronchus is wider, shorter, and straighter than left

tiny sacs within our lungs that allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to move between the lungs and bloodstream

moving air in and out of the lungs (commonly called breathing). Completely mechanical process that depends on volume changes in the thoracic cavity
Volume changes lead to pressure changes, which lead to the flow of gases to equalize pressure

transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide via the bloodstream

= inhalation. Diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract The size of the thoracic cavity increases. External air is pulled into the lungs due to
Increase in intrapulmonary volume
Decrease in gas pressure

= exhalation. Largely a passive process which depends on natural lung elasticity. As muscles relax, air is pushed out of the lungs due to decrease in intrapulmonary volume. Increase in gas pressure. Forced expiration can occur mostly by contracting internal intercostal muscles to depress the rib cage

Differences in lung and pleural space pressures.

Normal pressure within the pleural space is always negative

transported as bicarbonate. As blood flows through the tissues, carbon dioxide diffuses into red blood cells, where it is converted into bicarbonate.

produced by air rushing through large passageways such as the trachea and bronchi

soft sounds of air filling alveoli

musical high-pitched expiratory whistling noises (asthma)

tearing Velcro noises indicative of fluid in alveoli (pneumonia)

high-pitched loud inspiratory noises (croup)

walking on fresh snow (pleuritis). Inflammation of the tissues that line the lungs and chest cavity.

Most oxygen travels attached to hemoglobin and forms oxyhemoglobin (HbO2). A small dissolved amount is carried in the plasma

sets basic rhythm of breathing and contains a pacemaker called the self-exciting inspiratory center

appears to smooth out respiratory rate

Normal respiration rate 12 to 15 respirations per min

Increased respiratory rate often due to extra oxygen needs

Increased levels of carbon dioxide (and thus, a decreased or acidic pH) in the blood increase the rate and depth of breathing

Results when blood becomes alkaline (alkalosis). Extremely slow or shallow breathing. Allows CO2 to accumulate in the blood

external intercostal muscles and the diaphragm

located between the ribs

A sheet of muscle located between the thoracic & abdominal cavities

because of the space taken up in the left side of the chest cavity by the heart.

lips, gingivae, retromolar trigone, teeth, hard palate, cheek mucosa, mobile tongue, and floor of the mouth.

contracts (tightens) and moves downward. This increases the space in your chest cavity, into which your lungs expand. The intercostal muscles between your ribs also help enlarge the chest cavity

Loosens and moves upward, the ribs assume original position.

Exchange of gases between blood and body cells
An opposite reaction to what occurs in the lungs
Carbon dioxide diffuses out of tissue to blood (called loading) Oxygen diffuses from blood into tissue (called unloading)

gas exchange between pulmonary blood and alveoli. Oxygen is loaded into the blood. Carbon dioxide is unloaded from the blood. The alveoli always have more oxygen than the blood. Oxygen moves by diffusion towards the area of lower concentration. Pulmonary capillary blood gains oxygen. Blood leaving the lungs is oxygen-rich and carbon dioxide-poor

External respiration occurs in the lungs where oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses into the alveolar air. Internal respiration occurs in the metabolizing tissues, where oxygen diffuses out of the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out of the cells.