ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

A. STRUCTURES
1. Upper respiratory tract- consists of the nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and epiglottis.

ROLE IN RESPIRATION
Unlike the trachea and bronchi, the upper airway is a collapsible, compliant tube. As such, it has to be able to withstand suction pressures generated by the rhythmic contraction of the diaphragm that sucks air into the lungs. This is accomplished by the rhythmic contraction of upper airway muscles, such as the genioglossus (tongue) and the hyoid muscles. In addition to rhythmic innervations from the respiratory center in the medulla oblongata, the motoneurons controlling the muscles also receive tonic innervations that set a baseline level of stiffness and size.

2. Lower respiratory tract-consist of the bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs.

BRONCHI AND BRONCHIOLES

Any one of several large air passages in the lungs through which pass inhaled air and exhaled air. Each bronchus has a wall consisting of three layers. The outermost is made of dense fibrous tissue, reinforced with cartilage. The middle layer is a network of smooth muscle. The innermost layer consists of ciliated mucous membrane.

Kinds of bronchi are: 1. lobar bronchus (secondary bronchus), 2. primary bronchus, and 3. Segmental bronchus (tertiary bronchus).

LUNGS
The lungs are paired elastic structures enclosed in the thoracic cage, which is an airtight chamber with distensible walls. The lungs primary function is gas exchange. Oxygen is delivered to the tissue and carbon dioxide is removed from the tissues. Breathing is an automatic,

rhythmic mechanical process, which delivers O2 to the tissues and removes CO2 from the tissues.

ALVEOLI
Are the primary gas exchange units of the, where oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide is removed.

MEDIASTENUM
Is a group of structures in the thorax, surrounded by loose connective tissue. It is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity. It contains the heart, the great vessels of the heart, the esophagus, the trachea, the phrenic nerve, the cardiac nerve, the thoracic duct, the thymus, and the lymph nodes of the central chest.

Vital System
The lower respiratory tract is a vital system. This tract is responsible for receiving oxygen (O2) and distributing it throughout our whole body. All of our organs are dependent on this system, such as the brain. This is a key organ that is dependent on oxygen. If the lower respiratory tract shuts down, the body can't receive this vital oxygen, and organs that are deprived of oxygen shut down like the brain, which leads to severe brain damage

B.FUNCTION OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The major function of the respiratory system is to deliver oxygen (O2) to arterial blood and remove carbon dioxide (CO2 ) from the venous blood, a process known as GAS EXCHANGE. Normal gas exchange depends on three processes. A. VENTILATION- is movement of gases from the atmosphere into and out of the lungs. This is accomplished through the mechanical acts of inspiration and expiration. B. DIFFUSION- is movement of inhaled gases in the alveoli and across the alveolar capillary membrane. C. PERFUSION- is movement of oxygenated blood from the lungs to the tissues. Control of gases to exchange involves neural and chemical process. a. NEUTRAL SYSTEM- composed of three parts located in the pons, medulla, and spinal cord, coordinates respiratory rhythm and regulates the depth of respirations. b. CLINICAL PROCESSES- perform several vital functions, such as: Regulating alveolar ventilation by maintaining normal blood gas tension. Guarding the against hypercapnia (excessive CO2 in the blood) as well as hypoxia (reduced tissue oxygenation caused by decreased partial pressure of the arterial oxygen). An increase partial pressure of arterial CO2 (Paco2) stimulates ventilation; conversely, a decrease in PaCO2 inhibits ventilation. Helping to maintain respirations (through peripheral chemoreceptors) when hypoxia occurs.