RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

NASAL CAVITY

The NOSTRILS are the opening into the nasal passages that are lined with hairs. Nostrils have cilia. The cilia

filter the dust and other particles present in the air.

PHARYNX AND LARYNX

The PHARYNX is also called the THROAT. It is the common passageway for bothfood, water and air. Below

the epiglottis is the larynx or voice box. The LARYNX contains two vocal chords that vibrate when air passes by them.

With our tongue and lips, we convert these vibrations into speech. The Larynx is the main site for sound production.

Two ligaments called vocal chords can be stretched in varying extents across the opening to the larynx. To prevent

food from entering the windpipe or the trachea, the epiglottis closes the larynx when swallowing. This prevents food

and water to enter the passage.

TRACHEA, BRONCHI, BRONCHIOLES, and ALVEOLI

The TRACHEA is known as windpipe. It is made up of muscles and elastic fibers with rings of cartilage lined

with cilia. The trachea filters the air we inhale and branches into the bronchi. The BRONCHI are two tubes that carry

air into the lungs. Bronchial tubes also branch into smaller tubes called BRONCHIOLES. The bronchioles branch off

into alveoli. ALVEOLI are grape-like structures at the end of bronchioles. The alveoli have thin walls that are

surrounded by blood vessels. The bronchioles and the alveoli together make up the lungs. The alveoli increase the

surface of the lungs for greater exchange of gases to collect more oxygen.

LUNGS The lungs are located in the chest cavity surrounded by the rib cage. The lungs are the main organ of the

respiratory system. This is where exchange of gases occurs. This is the site where oxygen is taken in and carbon

dioxide is expelled out.

DIAPHRAGM is a dome-shaped muscle that controls breathing, which is located at the bottom of the lungs. During

respiration, the diaphragm flattens out and pulls forward, making more space for the lungs. When we inhale or breathe

in, the diaphragm contracts and pulls downward. When we exhale or breathe out, the diaphragm expands.

BREATHING

During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts or moves down, which causes the chest cavity to expand, allowing

air to move into the lungs.

During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and returns to its normal resting position. As you breathe out, your

chest falls and contracts. In the breathing cycle, inhaling and exhaling moves air into and out of the lungs. The outer

movement made by the diaphragm and the muscles in between your ribs provide the mechanical energy for breathing.

. When you are asleep, your breathing slows down. When you do strenuous activities, your breathing speeds

up. During sleep, your cells burn and produce less carbon dioxide than when you are awake.
 THE PATH OF AIR

Air in the upper Respiratory Tract Air in the Lungs Air in the Blood

As you inhale, air enters the nose or mouth. Inside the lungs, air enters trough Oxygen is now in the blood and the

The air is filtered, warmed, and humidified in The bronchial tubes to bronchioles and to the same time carbon dioxide carried by the

different parts of the upper respiratory system. alveoli. blood goes trough the blood vessel

walls and into the air sacs.

The air passes through the pharynx, larynx, then into When air goes into the air sacs, oxygen The carbon dioxide in the blood is

the trachea and into the lungs. goes to the wall of the air sacs then exchanged or traded with the oxygen in

through the walls of the blood vessels and the air sacs.

to the blood.

The blood then takes the oxygen to the

rest of the body cells while carbon

dioxide that passes in the air sacs

leaves the body when you exhale

Without oxygen, cells cannot get energy from food. Without energy, cells cannot do the activities that keep them alive.
INSIGHTS
Injectable oxygen microparticle is now used for patients with breathing impairments. The particle has three to
four times the oxygen of the red blood cells circulating in the body, and is encased in a cell membrane that consists of
fat that is flexible and easily flows through the capillaries.
The oxygen is injected intravenously and could sustain patient between 15 to 30 minutes after experiencing
respiratory failure. The invention was created by medical team in Boston’s Children Hospital led by Dr. John Kheir.

Emphysema: disease that damages the walls of the air sacs cancer: a disease in which abnormal cells keep tissue
and organ from working correctly.

HEALTH AND HABITS THAT PROMOTE THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Caring for your respiratory system is important. Healthful habits should be practice to promote proper
functioning of the respiratory system.

1. Do breathing exercises daily or get the habit of filling the lungs with fresh air. A healthy supply of oxygen keeps the
blood clean.

2. Avoid smoking. Smoke from vehicles and cigarettes can harm the respiratory tract and the lungs.

3. Avoid places with very dirty air like dusty work areas, traffic jams, and smoke-filled rooms. Dust particles can harm
the respiratory tract.

Respiration is the process of exchanging gases with the environment. Respiration includes the intake of
oxygen and its delivery to the cells of the different parts of the body and the removal and release of carbon dioxide.
The pathway of air starts in the nose or mouth and ends in the alveoli located in the lungs.