Respiratory System

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, the learner should be able to:

• List the structures of the respiratory system
• List the major functions of the respiratory system
• Outline the forces that allow for air movement into and out of the lungs
• Outline the process of gas exchange
• Summarize the process of oxygen and carbon dioxide transport within the respiratory system

Introduction: Parts of the Respiratory System

Function: transporting O2 from the atmosphere into the body's cells and moving CO2 in the other direction.

Lungs: 5 Lobes (2 left, 3 right). Main structure of respiratory system.

Alveoli: Tiny air sacs; site of O2 and CO2 exchange. Occurs by diffusion (passive transport)

Bronchi: The main passageways directly attached to the lungs

Bronchiole: Small passages that connect bronchi to alveoli

Trachea: Windpipe, connects Larynx to lungs

Larynx: Voice box

Pharynx: Located behind mouth, also part of GI system

Diaphragm: Dome-shaped sheet of muscle and tendon that serves as the main muscle of respiration and plays a vital role in the breathing process

Pleura: Membrane around lungs, inside chest cavity

Perfusion: Passage of fluid to an organ or tissue

Surfactant: A fluid secreted by alveoli; reduces surface tension- Prevent lung collapse

Tidal Volume: The amount of air breathed in a normal inhalation or exhalation

Ventilation: Movement of air in and out of body via inhalation and exhalation

• Inhalation: Diaphragm contracts downward, ribs push out, lungs fill with air
• Exhalation: Diaphragm relaxes upward, ribs relax, air pushes out
• Hyperventilation: More CO2 than the body can produce (breathing out more than in)

Hypoventilation: Breathing at an abnormally slow rate, resulting in an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, the learner should be able to:

• List the structures of the respiratory system
• List the major functions of the respiratory system
• Outline the forces that allow for air movement into and out of the lungs
• Outline the process of gas exchange
• Summarize the process of oxygen and carbon dioxide transport within the respiratory system

Introduction: Parts of the Respiratory System

Function: transporting O2 from the atmosphere into the body's cells and moving CO2 in the other direction.

Lungs: 5 Lobes (2 left, 3 right). Main structure of respiratory system.

Alveoli: Tiny air sacs; site of O2 and CO2 exchange. Occurs by diffusion (passive transport)

Bronchi: The main passageways directly attached to the lungs

Bronchiole: Small passages that connect bronchi to alveoli

Trachea: Windpipe, connects Larynx to lungs

Larynx: Voice box

Pharynx: Located behind mouth, also part of GI system

Diaphragm: Dome-shaped sheet of muscle and tendon that serves as the main muscle of respiration and plays a vital role in the breathing process

Pleura: Membrane around lungs, inside chest cavity

Perfusion: Passage of fluid to an organ or tissue

Surfactant: A fluid secreted by alveoli; reduces surface tension- Prevent lung collapse

Tidal Volume: The amount of air breathed in a normal inhalation or exhalation

Ventilation: Movement of air in and out of body via inhalation and exhalation

• Inhalation: Diaphragm contracts downward, ribs push out, lungs fill with air
• Exhalation: Diaphragm relaxes upward, ribs relax, air pushes out
• Hyperventilation: More CO2 than the body can produce (breathing out more than in)

Hypoventilation: Breathing at an abnormally slow rate, resulting in an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, the learner should be able to:

• List the structures of the respiratory system
• List the major functions of the respiratory system
• Outline the forces that allow for air movement into and out of the lungs
• Outline the process of gas exchange
• Summarize the process of oxygen and carbon dioxide transport within the respiratory system

Introduction: Parts of the Respiratory System

Function: transporting O2 from the atmosphere into the body's cells and moving CO2 in the other direction.

Lungs: 5 Lobes (2 left, 3 right). Main structure of respiratory system.

Alveoli: Tiny air sacs; site of O2 and CO2 exchange. Occurs by diffusion (passive transport)

Bronchi: The main passageways directly attached to the lungs

Bronchiole: Small passages that connect bronchi to alveoli

Trachea: Windpipe, connects Larynx to lungs

Larynx: Voice box

Pharynx: Located behind mouth, also part of GI system

Diaphragm: Dome-shaped sheet of muscle and tendon that serves as the main muscle of respiration and plays a vital role in the breathing process

Pleura: Membrane around lungs, inside chest cavity

Perfusion: Passage of fluid to an organ or tissue

Surfactant: A fluid secreted by alveoli; reduces surface tension- Prevent lung collapse

Tidal Volume: The amount of air breathed in a normal inhalation or exhalation

Ventilation: Movement of air in and out of body via inhalation and exhalation

• Inhalation: Diaphragm contracts downward, ribs push out, lungs fill with air
• Exhalation: Diaphragm relaxes upward, ribs relax, air pushes out
• Hyperventilation: More CO2 than the body can produce (breathing out more than in)

Hypoventilation: Breathing at an abnormally slow rate, resulting in an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, the learner should be able to:

• List the structures of the respiratory system
• List the major functions of the respiratory system
• Outline the forces that allow for air movement into and out of the lungs
• Outline the process of gas exchange
• Summarize the process of oxygen and carbon dioxide transport within the respiratory system

Introduction: Parts of the Respiratory System

Function: transporting O2 from the atmosphere into the body's cells and moving CO2 in the other direction.

Lungs: 5 Lobes (2 left, 3 right). Main structure of respiratory system.

Alveoli: Tiny air sacs; site of O2 and CO2 exchange. Occurs by diffusion (passive transport)

Bronchi: The main passageways directly attached to the lungs

Bronchiole: Small passages that connect bronchi to alveoli

Trachea: Windpipe, connects Larynx to lungs

Larynx: Voice box

Pharynx: Located behind mouth, also part of GI system

Diaphragm: Dome-shaped sheet of muscle and tendon that serves as the main muscle of respiration and plays a vital role in the breathing process

Pleura: Membrane around lungs, inside chest cavity

Perfusion: Passage of fluid to an organ or tissue

Surfactant: A fluid secreted by alveoli; reduces surface tension- Prevent lung collapse

Tidal Volume: The amount of air breathed in a normal inhalation or exhalation

Ventilation: Movement of air in and out of body via inhalation and exhalation

• Inhalation: Diaphragm contracts downward, ribs push out, lungs fill with air
• Exhalation: Diaphragm relaxes upward, ribs relax, air pushes out
• Hyperventilation: More CO2 than the body can produce (breathing out more than in)

Hypoventilation: Breathing at an abnormally slow rate, resulting in an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood.