Respiratory System
Anatomy Physiology Disorders and Diseases Treatment
Respiratory Anatomy
*Provided by the American Lung Association
Sinuses* (frontal, maxillary and sphenoidal)
Hollow spaces in the bones of the head that are connected to the nose by small openings, the sinuses are responsible for monitoring the temperature and humidity of the air breathed in, as well as adding resonance to the voice.
Nose* (nasal cavity)
Optimal entrance for inhalation due to hairs lining the walls and filtering the air.
Cilia*
Very small hairs that have a wave-like motion that is responsible for carrying mucus into the throat where it is coughed up or swallowed.
Mucus*
Sticky phlegm, liquid. Mucus traps dust, germs and unwanted matte that has invaded the lungs. It is disposed of by coughing, sneezing, clearing your throat and swallowing. Tall cells lining the bronchioles secrete this mucus which traps dirt and travels to the mouth and nose by use of the cilia.
Mouth (oral cavity)*
Secondary entrance for inhalation.
Adenoids
Lymph tissue located at the top of the throat, these can be removed for medical reasons such as enlargement that interferes with breathing. The lymph system is made of nodes (knots of cells) and vessels that are responsible for carrying fluid around the body. It is also a part of the immune system and is necessary for producing lymphocytes to fight infection and germs, and for filtering foreign matter out of the body to resist infection.
Tonsils*
Responsible for fighting germs, but these lymph nodes in the wall of the throat often become infected and in many cases are removed.
Pleura
A continuous membrane folded over itself, the pleura is often considered two. This surrounds each lobe of the lungs, separating the lungs from the chest wall.
Diaphragm
Part of the muscular system and a major part of respiration; this strong wall of muscle is situated between the chest cavity and the abdominal cavity. Moving downward creates suction in the chest and draws are in while expanding the lungs. Exhalation is the opposite process.
Ribs
Slightly moving part of the skeletal system that is responsible for the protection of the chest cavity.
Intercostals
Muscles between the ribs
Lymph Nodes (in the lungs)
Located against the walls of the bronchial tubes and trachea, they are a part of the immunity response.
Throat (pharynx)*
Acts as a passageway allowing air coming in from the nose and mouth into the trachea (windpipe).
Epiglottis*
This simple flap of tissue protects the entrance of the trachea, opening during respiratory functions and closed while swallowing to re-direct substances other than air to the esophagus and stomach.
Voice Box (larynx)*
As holder of the vocal chords, this is the site where the movement of air caused by inhalation and exhalation provides the sound of our voice.
Esophagus
Passageway from the mouth and throat to the stomach.
Windpipe (trachea)*
Passageway from the pharynx to the lungs.
Bronchial Tubes*
The trachea divides into two main tubes, known as the Bronchial Tubes, one going towards each lung. These then divide into a branch for each lobe of the lungs which then divide further.
Right Lung
The right lung is made of three lobes, sections. Each lobe is filled with alveoli, air sacks, and the air moves in and out through one bronchial tube.
Left Lung
The left lung is made of two lobes, sections. Each lobe is identical to those of the Right Lung.
Bronchioles*
The smallest subdivisions of the bronchial tubes and the location of the air sacs (singular alveoli, plural alveolus)
Alveoli
These air sacs are the final destination of the air taken in during inhalation before entering the circulatory system.
Capillaries
Blood vessels and members of the circulatory system, they are imbedded in the walls of the alveoli where oxygen diffuses into the blood they contain and carbon dioxide (a waste product) replaces it in the alveoli to be exhaled.
Pulmonary Artery
Blood that is oxygen-poor is carried to the capillaries around the alveoli.
Pulmonary Vein
Oxygen-rich blood returns to the heart and blood stream via the pulmonary vein.
*These anatomical sites are members of the respiratory system's Conduction Zone and do not administer to the processes of gas exchange, anatomic sites in which gas exchange occurs are part of the Respiratory Zone.
Respiratory Physiology
Through the use of the Kidneys and the Respiratory System, the Medulla Oblongata has control over the body's pH. pH, a measure of acidity where 7 is neutral, and a range from 1, extremely acidic, to a basic, alkaline, 14. pH in the body must be 7.4 with a range from 7.35-7.45. The respiratory system is the primary method for monitoring and correcting any problems in our pH.
Carbon dioxide, the waste product of our cells, is hydrophobic and therefore unable to be dissolved well in plasma, which is mainly water. Carbon dioxide changes to carbonic acid which breaks down into bicarbonate in the following reaction:
CO2
+ H2O à
H2CO3 àH+
+ HCO3
Bicarbonate is hydrophilic and easily dissolves in the plasma. Not all of the carbonic acid completely breaks down to bicarbonate, allowing the general trend to be made that more carbon dioxide results in more carbonic acid which consequently has a higher acidity. When acidity increases, respiratory rate increases as well to dispose of the extra acid. If the blood's pH is basic, respiratory rate decreases to hold the carbon dioxide in the blood until the pH has resumed 7.4.
On a physical level, the lungs are attached inside the chest cavity. Intercostals allow the chest cavity to expand and relax into it's normal position. As the diaphragm relaxes it curls underneath the ribs. Contraction of the diaphragm pulls it down and increases the size of the chest cavity, respectively increasing the size of the lungs. Air flows into the lungs to fill the empty space. Thus inspiration occurs. The diaphragm relaxes into it's normal position and expiration releases carbon dioxide and water into the air.
The involuntary action of breathing is not a response to a necessity of oxygen, but a change to monitor the amount of carbon dioxide in the body.
Gas exchange occurs between the alveoli in the lungs and small pulmonary capillaries. Hydrophobic gases, lipid soluble, are permitted to move between the alveoli and capillaries by passive diffusion. Oxygen, with a higher concentration in an alveolus, moves down the concentration gradient and into the capillaries. Carbon dioxide flows from the capillaries, an area of higher concentration, into the alveolus.
Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
There are many illnesses and infectious diseases centered around the respiratory system. Tuberculosis (one of the most rapidly spreading disease in the world), SARS: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (a recently discovered disease), Avian Influenza, and Bronchitis to name a few. Research is available on all of these topics; however, this website will be focusing on non-communicable disorders and diseases.
Asthma is a respiratory disease often accompanied by long bouts of wheezing and occasional "Asthma Attacks." Children of families in which this disease is present are more susceptible to developing it. There are no known cures or preventive methods for this disease, nor information as to how it is arises in the individual. People with this disease (20.3 million in 2001*) are able to use an inhaler before an attack if they are aware of the signs. Many try to avoid triggers that will irritate the lungs and cause an attack. Beyond wheezing, chest-tightness, breathlessness and morning and night coughing are symptoms of this disease. During an asthma attack the sides of the airways in a person's lungs become swollen and inflamed. This causes the airway to shrink and less air to reach the persons lungs. A buildup of mucus, accompanying the swelling, will clog the airways further.
| Important Asthma Triggers |
| Environmental Tobacco Smoke, Also Known As
Secondhand Smoke
Parents, friends, and relatives of children with asthma should try to stop smoking. Until they can successfully quit, they should smoke only outdoors, not in the home or in the family car. They should not allow others to smoke in the home, and should make sure the child's school is smoke-free. |
| Dust Mites
Mattress covers and pillow case covers provide a barrier between house dust mites and the person with asthma. Down-filled pillows, quilts, or comforters should not be used and stuffed animals and clutter should be removed from bedrooms. |
| Outdoor Air Pollution
Pollution caused by industrial emissions and automobile exhaust can cause an asthma episode. In large cities that have air pollution problems the number of emergency department visits for asthma episodes goes up when the air quality is very poor. |
| Cockroach Allergen
You may find cockroaches any place where food is eaten and crumbs are left behind. Decreasing exposure to cockroaches in the home can help reduce asthma attacks. Remove as many water and food sources as you can because cockroaches need food and water to survive. Vacuum or sweep these areas at least every 2-3 days. You can also use roach traps or gels to decrease the number of cockroaches in your home. |
| Pets
Furry pets may trigger an attack. The simplest solution to this situation is to find another home for the pet. However, some pet owners may be too attached to their pets or unable to locate a safe new home for the animal. Any animal causing an allergic reaction should not be allowed in the bedroom. Pets should be kept outside as much as possible and bathed weekly. People with asthma are not allergic to their pet’s fur, so trimming the pet’s fur will not help your asthma. Frequent vacuuming will reduce the presence of the allergen. If the room has a hard surface floor, it should be damp mopped weekly. |
| Mold
When mold is inhaled, it can cause asthma attacks. Eliminating mold throughout the home can help control asthma attacks. Keep humidity levels between 35% and 50%. In hot, humid climates, this may require the use of air conditioning and/or dehumidifiers. Fixing water leaks and cleaning up any mold in the home can also help. |
| Other Triggers
Strenuous physical exercise; adverse weather conditions like freezing temperatures, high humidity, and thunderstorms; and some foods and food additives and drugs can trigger asthma episodes. Strong emotional states also can lead to hyperventilation and an asthma episode. People with asthma should learn if these things trigger their episodes and avoid them when possible. |
Lung Cancer is usually caused by cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking alone is the cause of the most amount of preventable premature deaths in the United States. Cancer is an uncontrolled division of cells. These growths may produce tumors. There are two types of tumors, those that are benign and those that are malignant. Benign tumors, non-cancerous, remain in the area in which they originated. Malignant tumors spread, often through use of the lymphatic system and blood stream, until they reach other body tissue and form secondary tumors. Leukemia is an example of a form of cancer that does not produce solid tumors. Mutated genetics of a cell permit it to perform the uncontrolled cell division and also prevent the cells from doing their intended jobs. The increasing number of mutated cells depletes the nutrients needed by the healthy cells. The mutations are caused by carcinogens, certain carcinogens are attributed to specific types of cancer. Tobacco is the carcinogen responsible for Lung Cancer.
Men who smoke increase their risk of death from lung cancer by more than 22 times and from bronchitis and emphysema by nearly 10 times. Women who smoke increase their risk of dying from lung cancer by nearly 12 times and the risk of dying from bronchitis and emphysema by more than 10 times. Smoking triples the risk of dying from heart disease among middle-aged men and women.**
*Statistic and Graph Provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
**Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking-attributable mortality and years of potential life lost — United States, 1990. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1993;42(33):645-8.
Treatment for Respiratory Problems
Treatment for respiratory problems changes according the type of problem. Breathing is a necessity of life and a source for many micro-organisms to enter the body, a reservoir for infectious diseases. Many of these problems have no relief other than seeking professional medical attention. Decongestants are often taken for sinus problems, as well as humidifiers and strong smelling medication externally applied. The only assistance for asthma is having the ability to recognize the warning signs of an oncoming attack and using an inhaler. Bronchitis, emphysema, tuberculosis, SARS, lung cancer and Avian Flu will either pass on their own or require a lot of medical attention.
An individual does have the ability to increase the performance of his/her respiratory system. Exercise and physical activity allow the cardio-respiratory system to strengthen and lung capacity to increase, making your heart's job slightly easier.
Not doing things to your body is as important as doing things for your body. Drugs as a whole have a negative affect on human's bodies. Smoking cigarettes and other drugs weaken your heart and the ability of your blood to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the lungs. Carbon monoxide is the worst of these inhalants as blood has a stronger affinity for this gas and will carry this before oxygen. Once inside the blood, the carbon monoxide will not be released the way normal exchange occurs, creating a suffocating effect.
When dealing with non-communicable respiratory diseases, decisions early on are the source of treatment. To cure lung cancer, do not smoke and try to not develop the disease by avoiding this major trigger. Lung cancer does arise without smoking, in those cases medical help, alternatives to medicine or chemotherapy are often needed.