Respiratory System Overview

Respiratory System

Overview

• The respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide
• It is essential for cellular respiration and energy production

Organs Involved

• Nose and mouth: air enters the body through the nose or mouth
• Pharynx (throat): air passes through the pharynx, which is a common passage for both the respiratory and digestive systems
• Larynx (voice box): air passes through the larynx, which contains the vocal cords
• Trachea (windpipe): air passes through the trachea, which divides into two primary bronchi
• Bronchi: air passes through the bronchi, which branch into smaller bronchioles
• Lungs: air reaches the lungs, where gas exchange occurs
• Diaphragm: a dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity and helps expand the lungs during inhalation

Process of Breathing

1. Inhalation
   • Diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing the volume of the chest cavity
   • Air enters the lungs through the mouth or nose
   • Air passes through the trachea and bronchi, reaching the alveoli
2. Exhalation
   • Diaphragm relaxes and rises, decreasing the volume of the chest cavity
   • Air is pushed out of the lungs and exhaled through the mouth or nose

Gas Exchange

• Oxygen from the air diffuses into the blood through the alveoli
• Carbon dioxide, a waste product, diffuses from the blood into the alveoli and is exhaled

Functions

• Brings oxygen into the body
• Removes carbon dioxide from the body
• Helps regulate pH levels by removing excess hydrogen ions
• Plays a role in the sense of smell

Respiratory System Overview

• Responsible for bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide
• Essential for cellular respiration and energy production

Organs Involved

• Nose and mouth: air enters the body through the nose or mouth
• Pharynx (throat): common passage for both respiratory and digestive systems
• Larynx (voice box): contains vocal cords
• Trachea (windpipe): divides into two primary bronchi
• Bronchi: branch into smaller bronchioles
• Lungs: gas exchange occurs
• Diaphragm: dome-shaped muscle separating chest cavity from abdominal cavity, helps expand lungs during inhalation

Process of Breathing

• Inhalation
  • Diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing chest cavity volume
  • Air enters lungs through mouth or nose
  • Air passes through trachea and bronchi, reaching alveoli
• Exhalation
  • Diaphragm relaxes and rises, decreasing chest cavity volume
  • Air is pushed out of lungs and exhaled through mouth or nose

Gas Exchange

• Oxygen diffuses into blood through alveoli
• Carbon dioxide diffuses from blood into alveoli and is exhaled

Functions

• Brings oxygen into the body
• Removes carbon dioxide from the body
• Helps regulate pH levels by removing excess hydrogen ions
• Plays a role in the sense of smell