Anatomy Of The Respiratory System

Primary Structures:
- Nose/Nasal Cavity: Filters, warms, and humidifies air; contains olfactory receptors.
- Pharynx: Passageway for air and food; divided into nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
- Larynx: Voice box; contains vocal cords; protects the trachea against food aspiration.
- Trachea: Windpipe; extends from the larynx to the bronchi; lined with ciliated epithelial cells and mucus-producing goblet cells.
- Bronchi: Main air passages branching from the trachea; further divide into smaller bronchioles.
- Lungs: Pair of organs divided into lobes (3 in the right lung, 2 in the left); site of gas exchange.
- Alveoli: Tiny air sacs at the end of bronchioles where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.
Respiratory Muscles:
- Diaphragm: Main muscle of respiration; contracts to increase thoracic cavity volume, allowing inhalation.
- Intercostal Muscles: Located between ribs; assist with expanding and contracting the chest during breathing.
Pleura: Double-layered membrane surrounding the lungs; consists of visceral pleura (attached to lungs) and parietal pleura (attached to chest wall).

Respiratory Diseases

Asthma:
- Chronic inflammatory disease of the airways.
- Symptoms: Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness.
- Triggers: Allergens, smoke, exercise, respiratory infections.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):
- Progressive disease that obstructs airflow; includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
- Symptoms: Chronic cough, sputum production, dyspnea (difficulty breathing).
- Major risk factor: Long-term smoking.
Pneumonia:
- Infection causing inflammation of the alveoli; can be bacterial, viral, or fungal.
- Symptoms: Cough, fever, chills, difficulty breathing.
- Risk factors: Age, weakened immune system, chronic diseases.
Tuberculosis (TB):
- Contagious bacterial infection affecting the lungs; can spread to other parts of the body.
- Symptoms: Persistent cough, weight loss, night sweats.
- Spread through airborne particles.
Lung Cancer:
- Malignant tumors in the lungs; can be classified as small cell or non-small cell lung cancer.
- Symptoms: Persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up blood.
- Major risk factor: Tobacco smoking.
Pulmonary Embolism:
- Blockage in a pulmonary artery, usually due to blood clots.
- Symptoms: Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heart rate.
- Risk factors: Prolonged immobility, surgery, certain medical conditions.
Interstitial Lung Disease:
- Group of disorders causing scarring of lung tissue.
- Symptoms: Progressive shortness of breath, dry cough.
- Causes: Environmental factors, autoimmune disorders, certain medications.

Anatomy Of The Respiratory System

Nose/Nasal Cavity: Functions to filter, warm, and humidify inhaled air; rich in olfactory receptors for smell detection.
Pharynx: A crucial passageway that connects the nasal cavity and mouth to the larynx and esophagus; consists of three parts: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
Larynx: Commonly known as the voice box; contains vocal cords essential for sound production and acts as a barrier to prevent food from entering the trachea.
Trachea: Also referred to as the windpipe; extends from the larynx to the bronchi and is lined with ciliated epithelial cells and mucus-secreting goblet cells that aid in trapping debris.
Bronchi: Air passages diverging from the trachea, which further branch into smaller bronchioles, facilitating airflow to each lung lobe.
Lungs: Paired organs with three lobes on the right and two on the left; the primary location for gas exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Alveoli: Minute air sacs located at the terminus of bronchioles, serving as the site for the exchange of gases; surrounded by a network of capillaries for efficient gas transfer.
Respiratory Muscles:
- Diaphragm: The principal muscle for respiration; contracts to expand the thoracic cavity, leading to inhalation.
- Intercostal Muscles: Positioned between the ribs; contribute to chest expansion and contraction during the breathing cycle.
Pleura: A double-layered membrane enveloping the lungs; visceral pleura adheres to lung surfaces while parietal pleura lines the chest wall.

Respiratory Diseases

Asthma: A chronic inflammatory condition characterized by airway sensitivity, leading to symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath; triggers include allergens, smoke, and exercise.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): An umbrella term for progressive diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, causing airflow obstruction; symptoms include chronic cough and difficulty breathing, with long-term smoking as a significant risk factor.
Pneumonia: An infection causing inflammation in the alveoli, which can arise from bacteria, viruses, or fungi; presents with cough, fever, and breathing difficulties; risk increases with age and comorbidities.
Tuberculosis (TB): A contagious bacterial infection particularly affecting lung tissue that can disseminate throughout the body; symptoms include a persistent cough, weight loss, and night sweats; spread primarily through airborne particles.
Lung Cancer: Characterized by the presence of malignant tumors in lung tissue, classified as small cell or non-small cell; common symptoms include persistent cough and chest pain; tobacco smoking is a major risk factor.
Pulmonary Embolism: Occurs when a pulmonary artery is obstructed, typically by blood clots; symptoms include sudden shortness of breath and chest pain; risk factors involve prolonged immobility and certain medical conditions.
Interstitial Lung Disease: A collection of disorders resulting in lung tissue scarring; symptoms manifest as progressive shortness of breath and dry cough; potential causes include environmental exposures and autoimmune conditions.