Respiratory System Overview

Overview

• The respiratory system is a biological system that brings oxygen into the body and removes carbon dioxide
• It is essential for the survival of all living organisms

Components

• Nose and mouth: air enters the body through the nose or mouth
• Pharynx (throat): air passes through the pharynx, which is a tube that connects the nose and mouth to the lungs
• Larynx (voice box): air passes through the larynx, which contains the vocal cords
• Trachea (windpipe): air passes through the trachea, which divides into two bronchi
• Bronchi: air passes through the bronchi, which branch into smaller and smaller tubes like the branches of a tree
• Bronchioles: air passes through the bronchioles, which lead to the alveoli
• Alveoli: air reaches the alveoli, where oxygen is absorbed into the blood and carbon dioxide is removed
• Diaphragm: a dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity
• Rib cage: the rib cage protects the lungs and helps with breathing

Process of Breathing

1. Inhalation:
   • Diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing the volume of the chest cavity
   • Rib cage expands, increasing the volume of the chest cavity
   • Air enters the lungs through the nose or mouth
2. Exhalation:
   • Diaphragm relaxes and rises, decreasing the volume of the chest cavity
   • Rib cage descends, decreasing the volume of the chest cavity
   • Air leaves the lungs through the nose or mouth

Gas Exchange

• Oxygen from the air we breathe diffuses into the blood through the alveoli
• Carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli and is exhaled out of the body
• Oxygen-rich blood is transported to the body's tissues through the circulatory system
• Carbon dioxide-rich blood is transported back to the lungs through the circulatory system

Respiratory System

• Brings oxygen into the body and removes carbon dioxide
• Essential for the survival of all living organisms

Components of the Respiratory System

• Nose and mouth: air entrance points
• Pharynx (throat): connects nose and mouth to lungs
• Larynx (voice box): contains vocal cords
• Trachea (windpipe): divides into two bronchi
• Bronchi: branch into smaller and smaller tubes
• Bronchioles: lead to alveoli
• Alveoli: oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide removal
• Diaphragm: dome-shaped muscle separating chest and abdominal cavities
• Rib cage: protects lungs and aids in breathing

Breathing Process

Inhalation

• Diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing chest cavity volume
• Rib cage expands, increasing chest cavity volume
• Air enters lungs through nose or mouth

Exhalation

• Diaphragm relaxes and rises, decreasing chest cavity volume
• Rib cage descends, decreasing chest cavity volume
• Air leaves lungs through nose or mouth

Gas Exchange

• Oxygen diffuses into blood through alveoli
• Carbon dioxide diffuses from blood into alveoli and is exhaled
• Oxygen-rich blood is transported to body tissues through circulatory system
• Carbon dioxide-rich blood is transported back to lungs through circulatory system