The respiratory system
- Mouth and nose. Air enters and leaves the lungs through the mouth and nostrils of the nose.
- Nasal cavity. Air passes from the nose into the nasal cavity, and then the lungs.
- Throat (pharynx). Air from the mouth is sent to the lungs via the throat. Voice box (larynx). ...
What are the five primary functions of the respiratory system?
What are the five primary functions of the respiratory system?
- Gas Exchange – oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- Breathing – movement of air.
- Sound Production.
- Olfactory Assistance – sense of smell.
- Protection – from dust and microbes entering body through mucus production, cilia, and coughing.
Do lungs play a part in respiration?
The lungs are part of the respiratory system, and extract oxygen from the environment and transport it into the bloodstream. The third stage is the gas transport, wherein the oxygen is transported in the different body organs. The heart may be a part of the circulatory system, but it has a significant role in the respiration process.
What is the function of the lobes in the respiratory system?
Each lobe of the lungs has the same function: delivering oxygen into the bloodstream and removing carbon dioxide. Sections of lobe or entire lobes can be removed as a treatment for conditions such as lung cancer, tuberculosis, and emphysema.
Which parts of your respiratory system are inside the lungs?
Which parts of the respiratory system takes air to the lungs? At its bottom end, the trachea divides into left and right air tubes called bronchi (BRAHN-kye), which connect to the lungs. Within the lungs, the bronchi branch into smaller bronchi and even smaller tubes called bronchioles (BRAHN-kee-olz).
Where are the lungs located?
The lungs are located in the chest, behind the rib cage on either side of the heart. They are roughly conical in shape with a rounded point at their apex and a flatter base where they meet the diaphragm. Although they are a pair, the lungs are not equal in size and shape. The left lung has an indentation bordering where the heart resides, ...
Where does oxygen travel after the lungs?
The blood that has given up its oxygen in exchange for carbon dioxide from the tissues then passes through the heart and travels to the lungs to reach the capillaries surrounding the alveoli.
Why does the volume of the lungs decrease when the diaphragm relaxes?
As the diaphragm relaxes and returns to its resting position, the lung volume decreases because the pressure inside the chest cavity goes up, and the lungs expel the air. The lungs are like bellows. As they expand, air is sucked in for oxygen.
What are the membranes of the lungs?
The lungs are surrounded by two membranes, known as the pulmonary pleurae. The inner layer directly lines the outer surface of the lungs, and the outer layer is attached to the inner wall of the rib cage. The space between the two membranes is filled with pleural fluid.
How does a spirometry test show how well your lungs are working?
A spirometry test can show how well the lungs are working. The lungs’ main role is to bring in air from the atmosphere and pass oxygen into the bloodstream. From there, it circulates to the rest of the body. Help is required from structures outside of the lungs in order to breathe properly.
What causes a swollen chest?
It can happen as a result of: 1 the lungs becoming stiff 2 a problem with the chest wall or breathing muscles, for example, as with idiopathic cystic fibrosis 3 a curvature of the spine 4 obesity
Why does fluid build up in the pleural cavity?
Pleural effusion: Fluid builds up in the pleural cavity, often due to cancer in or near the chest cavity. It could also be related to congestive heart failure or liver cirrhosis. Other causes include inflammation of the pleura, which may occur with an infection.
What is the role of the respiratory system?
The respiratory system's main job is to move fresh air into your body while removing waste gases.
How to keep your lungs healthy?
Lung capacity declines as you age. Keep your lungs healthy by taking good care of yourself every day. Eat a balanced diet, exercise and reduce stress to breathe easier. Get more tips for healthy lungs »
What are the smallest branches of the bronchial tube?
The smallest branches of the bronchial tubes are called BRONCHIOLES, at the end of which are the air sacs or alveoli. ALVEOLI are the very small air sacs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. CAPILLARIES are blood vessels in the walls of the alveoli.
What is the name of the passage that passes through the throat to the lungs?
The THROAT collects incoming air from your nose and mouth then passes it down to the windpipe (trachea). The WINDPIPE ( trachea) is the passage leading from your throat to your lungs. The windpipe divides into the two main BRONCHIAL TUBES, one for each lung, which divides again into each lobe of your lungs. These, in turn, split further ...
What are the two membranes that separate the lungs?
The PLEURA are the two membranes, actually, one continuous one folded on itself, that surround each lobe of the lungs and separate your lungs from your chest wall. Your bronchial tubes are lined with CILIA (like very small hairs) that move like waves.
How many lobes are there in the right lung?
Your right lung is divided into three LOBES, or sections. Each lobe is like a balloon filled with sponge-like tissue. Air moves in and out through one opening—a branch of the bronchial tube.
How does oxygen get into the body?
At each cell in your body, oxygen is exchanged for a waste gas called carbon dioxide. Your bloodstream then carries this waste gas back to the lungs where it is removed from the bloodstream and then exhaled.
What is the respiratory system?
The respiratory system. The lungs are the main part of the respiratory system. This system is divided into the upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract. The upper respiratory tract includes the: Mouth and nose. Air enters and leaves the lungs through the mouth and nostrils of the nose. Nasal cavity.
Why do we need lung function tests?
If you have a respiratory disorder, you may need tests to see how well your lungs are working. They also help to diagnose chronic lung illness. Some of these tests are routine for people with chronic illness such as asthma. Common lung function tests and scans include:
How to keep your lungs healthy?
While your body has a built-in system to keep your lungs healthy, there are several important things you can do every day to help reduce your risk of lung disease or to ease symptoms: Avoid secondhand smoke. Avoid the outdoors when there are high levels of air pollution or pollen.
How many alveoli are there in the bronchiole?
They look like tiny grape bunches or very tiny balloons. There are about 600 million alveoli in your lungs. The small bubble shapes of the alveoli give your lungs a surprising amount of surface area — equivalent to the size of a tennis court. This means there’s plenty of room for vital oxygen to pass into your body.
What is the function of diffusion capacity?
Lung diffusion capacity. This checks how well oxygen is passed from your lungs to your blood. For this test, you may need to breathe into a tube. You may also need a blood test.
What is the trachea in the lungs?
The trachea is a tube that carries the air in and out of your lungs. Each lung has a tube called a bronchus that connects to the trachea. The trachea and bronchi airways form an upside-down “Y” in your chest. This “Y” is often called the bronchial tree. The bronchi branch off into smaller bronchi and even smaller tubes called bronchioles.
What is a marker for lung?
A marker or computer shows the how fast air is flowing and approximate lung volume. Sputum (spit) or mucus sample. Your doctor may take a swab of your mouth or throat. The sample is sent to a lab to check to see if you have a bacterial or viral infection in the throat or lungs.
What is the respiratory system?
Your respiratory system is the network of organs and tissues that help you breathe. This system helps your body absorb oxygen from the air so your organs can work. It also cleans waste gases, such as carbon dioxide, from your blood. Common problems include allergies, diseases or infections.
How to keep your lungs healthy?
Exercise regularly to keep your lungs healthy.
What are the bones and muscles that surround the respiratory system?
Some of the bones and muscles in the respiratory system include your: Diaphragm: Muscle that helps your lungs pull in air and push it out. Ribs: Bones that surround and protect your lungs and heart. When you breathe out, your blood carries carbon dioxide and other waste out of the body.
Why is it important to clear mucus out of the lungs?
Being able to clear mucus out of the lungs and airways is important for respiratory health.
What is a spirometer?
A spirometer is a device that can tell how much air you inhale and exhale. See your doctor for regular checkups to help prevent serious respiratory conditions and lung disease. Early diagnosis of these issues can help prevent them from becoming severe.
What are the lobes of the lungs?
Lung lobes: Sections of the lungs — three lobes in the right lung and two in the left lung. Pleura: Thin sacs that surround each lung lobe and separate your lungs from the chest wall. Some of the other components of your respiratory system include:
What causes a person to breathe hard?
Asthma: A chronic (long-term) disorder, asthma causes inflammation in the airways that can make breathing difficult. Infection: Infections can lead to pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs) or bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes). Common respiratory infections include the flu ( influenza) or a cold.
What do the lungs do?
The lungs' main function is to help oxygen from the air we breathe enter the red cells in the blood. Red blood cells then carry oxygen around the body to be used in the cells found in our body. The lungs also help the body to get rid of CO 2 gas when we breathe out. There are a number of other jobs carried out by the lungs that include:
What are the functions of the lungs?
The lungs' main function is to help oxygen from the air we breathe enter the red cells in the blood. Red blood cells then carry oxygen around the body to be used in the cells found in our body. The lungs also help the body to get rid of CO 2 gas when we breathe out. There are a number of other jobs carried out by the lungs that include: 1 Changing the pH of blood (whether the blood is more acid or alkali) by increasing or decreasing the amount of CO 2 in the body. 2 Filtering out small gas bubbles that may occur in the bloodstream. 3 Converting a chemical in the blood called angiotensin I to angiotensin II. These chemicals are important in the control of blood pressure.
How do the lungs and breathing work?
Found beneath the lungs, the diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle. When this muscle gets tighter (contracts), it flattens and the lungs increase in size. This sucks air down into your lungs.
What is the name of the tube that separates the lungs from the lungs?
From front to back the lungs fill the rib cage but are separated by the heart, which lies in between them. The air that we breathe in enters the nose or mouth, flows through the throat (pharynx) and voice box (larynx) and enters the windpipe (trachea). The trachea divides into two hollow tubes called bronchi.
What is the smallest tube in the lungs called?
The small bronchi divide into smaller and smaller hollow tubes which are called bronchioles - the smallest air tubes in the lungs. The medical term for all the air tubes from the nose and mouth down to the bronchioles is 'the respiratory tract'. The lower respiratory tract is from the larynx.
What part of the brain controls breathing?
The basic rhythm of breathing is controlled by the brain. Part of the brain called the brainstem has a special area dedicated to maintaining your breathing pattern. Nerve impulses from the brainstem control the contractions of your diaphragm and the other muscles of breathing. This is all done without thinking.
How do lungs help the body?
The lungs also help the body to get rid of CO 2 gas when we breathe out. There are a number of other jobs carried out by the lungs that include: Changing the pH of blood (whether the blood is more acid or alkali) by increasing or decreasing the amount of CO 2 in the body .
