About the system The respiratory system in humans is responsible for the uptake of oxygen and discharge of carbon dioxide within the body. The cardiovascular system is also somewhat involved in the respiratory system because blood is what transports the carbon dioxide to the lungs. In terrestrial animals, the respiratory medium is air, while for aquatic animals, the medium is water.
The major organs of this system are the lungs, nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and the diaphragm. The organs work together in that air enters the nose, passes through the pharynx and larynx, enters the trachea, into the bronchi and eventually bronchioles, and finally enters into tiny air sacs called alveoli in the lungs which are the sites of gas exchange. The alveoli consists of thin and moist epithelium. O2 diffuses across the alveoli into webs of capillaries that surround each air sac and flows back to the heart via the pulmonary vein. Also, all along the epithelium tissue, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles is ciliated mucous. Mucous prevents water from entering and exiting due to the fact that it is non polar. Water doesn't really like non polar things, so you can see why it makes a great barrier. However, too much mucous in the tissues, bronchi, or bronchioles make it difficult to breathe. Breathing, which is under automatic regulation, is essentially inhaling and exhaling air with the help of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. The diaphragm is located under the lungs, while the intercostal muscles are between your ribs. Air moves into and out of the lungs by changing the volume, and the volume of air is increased when the diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract. |
Disorders
Two common disorders affecting this system would be asthma and bacterial pneumonia. Asthma is caused by an narrowing and inflammation of the airways, which causes wheezing and coughing. When the airways become inflamed, they becomes very sensitive and react to inhaled particles, causing the surrounding muscles to tighten and decrease the ability to breathe in air. Some common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breathe. To treat asthma, an inhaler might be necessary. Steroid inhalers prevent the symptoms while rescue inhalers treat the symptoms. Ingesting steroids is also another type of treatment.
The next disorder affecting the respiratory system is bacterial pneumonia. This disease is caused by a respiratory bacteria that inflames the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. Sometimes, the air sacs fill with fluid making it hard breathe. The common symptoms are fever, coughing, and having a difficult time breathing. To treat pneumonia, people are usually given antibiotics since the disease is caused by bacteria. Some forms of pneumonia can be caused by viruses, and the main treatment is to prevent it all together by having vaccinations.
The next disorder affecting the respiratory system is bacterial pneumonia. This disease is caused by a respiratory bacteria that inflames the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. Sometimes, the air sacs fill with fluid making it hard breathe. The common symptoms are fever, coughing, and having a difficult time breathing. To treat pneumonia, people are usually given antibiotics since the disease is caused by bacteria. Some forms of pneumonia can be caused by viruses, and the main treatment is to prevent it all together by having vaccinations.
The lungsThe lungs are a major organ involved in respiration. They are found on either side of the chest. They are an invaginated respiratory surface restricted to one location from which oxygen is transported to the rest of the body by the circulatory system. The amount of air in the lungs is determined by the volume of the lungs itself. In the lungs are tiny air sacs called alveoli, which is where gas exchange occurs. The circulatory system brings deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery, and it becomes deoxygenated when oxygen from the alveoli diffuse into the capillary beds. CO2 diffuses into the alveoli where it is excreted when you breathe.
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Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoliThe nose is the entryway into the respiratory system. Air enters the nose where it passes through the pharynx, which is the nasal cavity, and the larynx, the voice box. The air continues through the larynx into the trachea which is the windpipe. The trachea has a small flap called the epiglottis which covers it up when the person swallows to prevent solids and liquids from entering. The trachea branches into two bronchi who each enter a separate lung. These bronchi branch repeatedly into narrow tubes called bronchioles. Mucous coated epithelium lines the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. Mucous prevents water from entering and exiting due to the fact that it is non polar. Therefore, it makes a great barrier. Finally, the bronchioles end at a cluster of air sacs called alveoli, where the oxygen and carbon dioxide gas exchange occurs.
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diaphragmThe volume of air in the lungs is determined by the contraction of the diaphragm, found under your lungs, and the intercostal muscles, found between your ribs. Breathing is under automatic regulation by the brain and nerve impulses instruct the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to contract.
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