 Nasal cavity functions to filter or trap foreign

OUTLINE: substances like dirt, dust and other microorganisms

I. INTRODUCTION carried by the inhaled air.
II. UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT  Structure of nasal cavity also helps to warm air
III. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT entering the tract as it moistens by a sticky mucous
IV. MECHANISM OF BREATHING produced by its mucosa.
V. LUNG VOLUME AND CAPACITY
VI. GAS TRANSPORT THE PHARYNX
 Pharynx serves as a passageway for both food and
I. INTRODUCTION air.
  Has three (3) regions called the nasopharynx,
oropharynx and laryngopharynx.
 Air passes from nasal cavity > nasopharynx >
oropharynx > laryngopharynx.
 When food is ingested, from the mouth it enters the
oropharynx and laryngopharynx; however, food is
directed into the esophagus due to the function of
epiglottis.
THE LARYNX
 Larynx is commonly known as the voice box.
 Essential function on speech, this is due to the folds
Oxygen is the most essential component to sustain life. of the mucus membrane called vocal folds or vocal
Human body requires oxygen to live. cords.
 This is the prime role of the respiratory system.  Located inferiorly to the pharynx and made of rigid
 Oxygen is further delivered or transported throughout hyaline cartilages.
the body by the cardiovascular system.  Air moves from pharynx > larynx > lower respiratory
 Respiratory system emphasizes on the oxygen uptake tract.
and unloading of carbon dioxide or waste.  During eating, when food is swallowed, epiglottis
covers the larynx, leading the food posteriorly to
TWO SUBDIVISIONS OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM enter the esophagus.
UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT- serves as the entry of air or  The movement on your throat you feel during
passageways. swallowing is the closing of your larynx which is
 Air enters through the nose, pharynx and larynx pulled upward. This mechanism prevents food and
respectively. other foreign objects entering the lower respiratory
tract that may cause impaired breathing.
LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT- loading of oxygen and
unloading of carbon dioxide occurs in the lower respiratory III.
tract. LOWER
 The structures include are the trachea, bronchi, lungs,
bronchioles, alveoli and, alveoli ducts and sacs.

II. UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT

THE NOSE
 Nostrils or nares - visible entry port (externally)
 Nasal cavity - divided by the midline called “nasal
septum” (internally)
 Olfactory receptors are located in mucosa. RESPIRATORY TRACT

PREPARED BY: ITURALDE, DANICA B.

THE TRACHEA under the clavicle. The inferior portion which is
 Air passing through the larynx will reach the resting on the diaphragm is called the base.
windpipe or trachea
THE BRONCHIOLES
 It measures about 4 inches in length located midline
 Within the lungs, each bronchus is branching out to
of the chest. Like the larynx, trachea is also made of
smallest passageways called bronchioles. Ending
hyaline cartilages in C-shaped rings.
the branches to respiratory bronchioles.
 Tracheal inner membrane is lined with ciliated
mucosa. THE ALVEOLI, ALVEOLAR DUCTS, ALVEOLAR SACS
 Cilia – helps eliminate foreign bodies like dust  These structures are considered as the respiratory
particles to move out away from the lungs. zone to include the respiratory bronchioles which
 This mechanism involves goblet cells in the tracheal are all located within the lungs.
mucosa that produced mucus, which eventually can  Respiratory zone refers to a site of gas exchange.
be expelled out from the throat by swallowing or  Small cavities or air sacs are called the alveoli.
spitting.  The alveolar duct and sacs are networked together
serving as sites of gas exchange.
THE BRONCHI
 The outer surface of the alveoli is lined with
 Bronchi serve as a passageway enrouting to the
pulmonary capillaries. In this particular site is the
lungs.
respiratory membrane where alveolar and capillary
 Two passageways branched out from the inferior
membranes linked together.
part of the trachea – right main bronchus and the
 Carbon dioxide leaves the blood and enter the
left main bronchus.
alveoli, oxygen from the alveoli enters the capillary
 The right bronchus is wider and shorter comparing
blood – this process takes place within the
to the left.
respiratory membrane.
THE LUNGS  The alveoli have a role in fighting against presence of
 Lungs are made up of air spaces, it is spongy pathogens in the lungs. Alveolar macrophages work
weighing about 2.5 pounds. The lungs fill large area on the defenses against carbon particles, bacteria
in the thoracic cavity. and other invading pathogens.
 Respiratory organs are divided into two – the right
and left lung.
 Right lung has three lobes and left lung has two
lobes
 In between the lungs and the thoracic cavity is a
space called pleural space.
 Pleural membranes produce a serous fluid called
pleural fluid.
 Pleural fluid - Supports the lungs against friction
during breathing. IV. MECHANISM OF BREATHING
 Breathing is influenced by the volume changes in the
thoracic cavity. Specifically, during inhalation or
inspiration, air flows into the lungs and air flows out from
the lungs during exhalation or expiration.
 These volume changes are dependent on the pressure
changes. Atmospheric pressure and intrapulmonary or
intra-alveolar pressure influence the pulmonary
ventilation.
 As general rule, intrapulmonary pressure is always equal
to the atmospheric pressure. Thus, changes in volume
will lead to changes in pressure.
 Breathing is influenced by neural, physical, chemical,
 Each lung is lined with a covering called visceral emotional factors.
pleura and thoracic cavity is lined with parietal INSPIRATION
pleura. The superior part or the apex of each lung is  Air flows into the lungs.

PREPARED BY: ITURALDE, DANICA B.

  During inspiration the size of thoracic cavity  The values of each volume can be measured using a
increases, due to the contraction of external spirometer.
intercostal muscles and diaphragm
Tidal volume (TV) – refers to the amount of air moves in and
out of the lungs during quiet breathing. It is about 500 mL of
air in every breathing cycle.
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) – is the amount of air
taken forcibly in deep inhalation above the tidal volume. It is
about 3,100 mL of air.
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) – refers to the amount of
air forcefully exhaled beyond tidal expiration measuring
about 1,200 mL of air.
Residual Volume – refers to the amount of air remained in
the lungs that cannot be expelled. It is essential for gas
exchange by keeping the alveoli inflated.
 When this happens, the intrapulmonary volume
increases which makes intrapulmonary pressure Vital Capacity – is the sum of the TV, IRV and ERV or the total
decreased. Making intrapulmonary pressure lower amount of exchangeable air.
than atmospheric pressure. Dead Space Volume – air that remains on the passageways
EXPIRATION that does not reach the respiratory zone. The amount of this
 Air flows out from the lungs. air is about 150 mL.
 When air moves out from the lungs, external VI. GAS TRANSPORT
intercostal muscles and diaphragm relax, returning  The pick-up of oxygen and unloading of carbon dioxide
the thoracic cavity into its resting size. takes place in the respiratory zone and in the tissue cells.
 The gas exchanges occurring between the alveoli and
pulmonary capillaries is called External Respiration or
the pulmonary gas exchange.

 During exhalation, volume of thoracic cavity

decreases leads to increase in intrapulmonary
pressure. At this point, intrapulmonary pressure is
greater than the atmospheric pressure causing the
air to leave the lungs.
V. LUNG VOLUME AND CAPACITY
 The amount of air that flows in and out of the lungs can
be measured based on volumes.
 Respiratory volumes include the different
measurements of the amount of air in the lungs during
breathing.
 Respiratory volumes depend on person’s age, weight,
sex and physical conditions.

PREPARED BY: ITURALDE, DANICA B.

 In systemic circulation, gas exchange between blood and
tissue cells is known as the Internal respiration or the  In external respiration, oxygen from the alveoli is picked
systemic capillary gas exchange. up by RBCs in pulmonary capillaries, attaching to the
hemoglobin, forming oxyhemoglobin. This is also due to
pressure gradient where alveoli contain high
concentration of oxygen than the blood capillaries.
 Similarly, concentration of carbon dioxide in pulmonary
capillaries is higher than on the alveoli. Carbon dioxide in
plasma which is enzymatically converted to bicarbonate
ions in RBCs will diffuse from the blood into the alveoli to
expel through exhalation.
 During internal respiration, concentration of carbon
dioxide in plasma is high within the tissue cells than the
blood. Carbon dioxide in the form of bicarbonate ions
will move into the blood entering the systemic circulation
flowing back to the heart to be further transported to the
lungs for discharging. Oxygen in the blood which is
binded to hemoglobin easily diffuse to tissue cells.

PREPARED BY: ITURALDE, DANICA B.

PREPARED BY: ITURALDE, DANICA B.