The Respiratory System

A&P

Chapter 27

Introduction

The primary function of the respiratory system is to supply the blood with oxygen.

The blood delivers the oxygen to the parts of the body (cells need what 3 things?)

Inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Respiration is achieved through the mouth,

nose, trachea, lungs and diaphragm.

Organs of the Respiratory System

Upper Respiratory Tract

Nose Pharynx or Throat

Lower Respiratory Tract

Larynx or Voice Box Trachea or Windpipe Bronchi Bronchioles

The Nose

Organ of smell Apparatus of respiration and

voice Warms & moistens air Cilia traps dust Sounds during speaking

and singing External structures are

called nares Nasal mucosa produce 1

quart a day; drains into sinuses.

Pharynx

Musculo-membranous tube about 5 inches long.

Connects to the trachea and the esophagus

Passage way of air and food

Assist with speech 3 pairs of tonsils in the

pharynx-help control infection

Larynx

Voice box Structure made of

muscles and cartilage Cartilage helps protect

from trauma “Adam’s apple” Epiglottis-covers

trachea during swallowing

Production of vocal cords

Trachea

“Windpipe” Tube of cartilage about

4.5” long Connects larynx to

main bronchi Lined with mucous

membrane and cilia to trap foreign matter

Important fx.= breathing

Bronchi

Two main branches of brinchi stretch from trachea and the lungs

Provide a passage way Lungs divide at the hilum

Bronchi divide into smaller branches called bronchioles.

End at alveoli

Alveoli

Small air sacs that support a network of capillaries that allow for oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer

Inflate and deflate as air moves in and out

Lungs

Pink at birth Turn grey color with age Porous and spongy with

high elasticity Right lung has 3 lobes Left lung has 2 lobes Lungs are separated by

the mediastinum – heart, trachea, esophagus and blood vessels

Lungs

Pleura are thin sheets of epithelium

Pleural membranes cover the outer surface of the lung and the inside of the thoracic cavity

Space in between is called the pleural space

Produces surfactant.

Diseased Lungs

Mechanism of Breathing

Ventilation is movement to and from the alveoli

Inhalation and exhalation are completed from the nervous system and the muscles of the respiratory system

CNS-medulla oblongata and the Pons

Muscles-intercostals and diaphragm

Lifespan Considerations

Premature babies may be given surfactant. Surfactant is found in mature lungs and will decrease the occurrence of respiratory distress and lung damage in infants

Newborn RR=30-80 1 year RR=20-40 5 years RR=20-25

Lifespan Considerations

Older adults may increase RR due to pollution, smoking and lung disease

Less mucous and cilia < function= increased mucous and chance of infection

Skeletal changes in older adults allow susceptibility to bronchitis and pneumonia

Patient Teaching

Vary daily activities according to respiratory status

Environmental irritants should be avoided

Compliance with medications

Patients with pulmonary diseases should avoid individual who are sick

Case Study

What could Joe have done early to reduce his risk of COPD?

Why was an antibiotic prescribed? Two puffs of medicine q4h?