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Respiratory System

Explore the main functions of the respiratory system, upper and lower respiratory passageways, and the process of breathing. Learn about pulmonary ventilation, gas transport, and common respiratory disorders. Discover the methods used to diagnose respiratory disorders and evaluate gas exchange.

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Respiratory System

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  1. Respiratory System

  2. Respiratory System • Main functions: • Provide oxygen to cells • Eliminate carbon dioxide • Works closely with cardiovascular system to accomplish gas exchange • Gas exchange occurs in lungs

  3. Upper Respiratory Passageways • Air enters through nose, past sinus cavities • Air then passes through pharynx • Pharynx divided into three regions: • Nasopharynx (upper) • Oropharynx (middle) • Laryngeal (lower)

  4. Lower Respiratory Passageways and Lungs • Pharynx conducts air into trachea, through larynx and glottis • Epiglottis prevents food from entering respiratory tract • Larynx contains vocal cords (allows speech) • Trachea divides into bronchus • Smallest tubes = bronchioles • Alveoli = microscopic air sacs where gas exchange occurs

  5. Breathing • Ventilation made up of: • Inspiration • Phrenic nerve stimulates diaphragm to contract and flatten • Chest cavity enlarges • Change in pressure causes air to be pulled in • Expiration • Breathing muscles relax • Lungs return to original size • Air forced out

  6. Pulmonary Ventilation

  7. Gas Transport • Oxygen in blood • Attached to hemoglobin in red blood cells • Released to cells as needed • Carbon dioxide mostly as carbonic acid • Amount formed regulates blood pH

  8. Clinical Aspects of Respiration • Pulmonary function affected by conditions that: • Cause resistance to air flow • Limit proper expansion of chest • Conditions directly affecting respiratory system: • Infection • Injury • Allergy • Aspiration • Cancer

  9. Changes in Ventilation • Changes in ventilation affect pH of blood • Alkalosis = too much carbon dioxide exhaled by hyperventilation (blood too alkaline) • Acidosis = too little carbon dioxide exhaled by hypoventilation (blood too acidic)

  10. Infections • Pneumonia • Caused by several different microorganisms • Leading cause of death in debilitated patients • Tuberculosis • Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis • Symptoms: • Fever • Weight loss • Weakness • Cough • Hemoptysis (sputum with blood) • Influenza • Viral disease of respiratory tract

  11. Emphysema • Overexpansion and destruction of alveoli • Causes: • Exposure to cigarette smoke or pollution • Chronic infection • Classified under chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) heading

  12. Asthma • Narrowing of bronchial tubes • Main factor may be irritation caused by allergy • Symptom of wheezing indicated by: • Constriction of bronchial tubes • Edema of bronchial linings • Accumulation of mucus • Extreme “attacks” may result in: • Dyspnea • Cyanosis

  13. Disorders of Pleura • Pleurisy = inflammation of pleura, usually with infection • Main symptom is pain which causes rapid, shallow breathing • Accumulation of substances between layers of pleura lead to other conditions: • Pneumothorax • Empyema • Hemothorax • Hydrothorax • Fluids removed by thoracentesis

  14. Lung Cancer • Leading cause of cancer-related deaths • Usually cannot be detected early • Metastasizes rapidly • Major risk factors: • Cigarette smoking • Other forms of cancer • Diagnosed by: • Radiographic studies • CT scans • Sputum examination • Bronchoscope

  15. Respiratory Distress Syndrome • Occurs in premature infants • Results from lack of surfactant in lungs • Acute respiratory distress syndrome • May result from: • Trauma • Allergic reactions • Infection • Other causes • Involves edema that can cause respiratory failure

  16. Diagnosis • Methods for diagnosing respiratory disorders: • Radiographs • CT scans • MRI scans • Lung scans • Bronchoscopy • Tests of pleural fluid removed with thoracentesis

  17. Methods for diagnosing respiratory disorders • Examination of arterial blood gases Evaluating gas exchange, it measures: • Carbon dioxide • Oxygen • Bicarbonate • Blood pH • Pulse oximetry: Measure oxygen saturation of arterial blood • Pulmonary function tests: Spirometer measures volume of air moved with varying degrees of effort

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