The Respiratory System Flashcards
Functions of the respiratory system
Enables breathing
Consists of lungs and air passages
Located within the chest cavity, protected by the ribs
Diaphragm separates lungs from abdominal cavity
Each breath cycle, gas exchange occurs oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is let out
Nose
Air is inhaled through the nose, where the air is moisted and warmed
Small hairs filter out impurities
Paranasal sinuses
Air filled extensions of the nasal cavity. There are four sets of sinuses located beside the nose and in the forehead
Pharynx, larynx, trachea
The air proceeds down through the pharynx, larynx and into the trachea (windpipe)
The trachea consists of 16 to 20 rings of cartilage stacked on top of each other
They form a semi rigid support that keeps the airway open
At about the level of the 5th thoracic vertebra, the trachea divides and becomes the bronchial tract
Bronchial tract
Enter each lung
Lungs
Located in the thoracic cavity (chest) and rest on the diaphragm
Each lung is a separate organ which is surrounded by the PLEURA - a membrane that protects each lung
Bronchi
Inside each lung the bronchial tracts branch into smaller secondary bronchi, which then branch into smaller and smaller bronchioles
Alveoli
Eventually the bronchioles branch into alveoli which are the air sacs in the lungs
They have very thin walls that contain a lot of elastic tissue
alveoli stretch as they fill with air like little balloons
The alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries which bring deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs
Oxygen is transferred from the alveoli to the capillaries, which then take the oxygenated blood to the heart to be pumped to all cells of the body
Diaphragm
The diaphragm is the main muscle of inhalation
When it contracts it descends and enlarges the thoracic cavity
The external intercostal muscles also assist by lifting the ribs
Air pressure in the lungs drops, air is drawn in, and normal breathing occurs
Other accessory muscles that help with breathing include:
Intercostal, scalene, abdominal, pectoralis minor, sternocleidomastoid
Breathing
A process of the autonomic nervous system, which can be controlled by conscious effort
During deep, forceful exhalation secondary muscles of the respiration will also be used
Dyspnea
Described as breathlessness and shortness of breath
Sensation of difficulty in breathing which may be caused by respiratory diseases
Common cold
A viral infection of the upper respiratory tract
occurs more frequently than other respiratory tract infections
Accompanied by excessive production of nasal secretions, headaches and fatigue
Influenza (flu)
A viral infection that can affect the upper and lower respiratory tracts
Can cause symptoms that affect the nose, throat or lungs
Abrupt onset of fever and chills, fatigue, muscle aching, headache, nasal discharge, cough and sore throat
Flu virus is spread by large droplet spray (someone sneezing or coughing) or by hands
Pneumonia
Inflammation of the bronchioles or alveoli of the lungs
Caused by infection from bacteria and viruses, or by gastric secretions that are aspirated into the lungs
Pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics but can be fatal to elderly or people with compromised immune systems
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease which is spread by inhaling bacteria circulating the air
The disease is treated with multi antibacterial medications
(Some types may be resistant)
Usually no symptoms in early stages, the disease is diagnosed by a positive tuberculin skin test
Worlds foremost cause of death from infection
In later stages symptoms are low-grade fever, shortness of breath, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss and cough
Asthma
Very common chronic obstructive airway disease
Asthma attacks can be triggered by allergens, respiratory tract infections, cold air, exercise, drugs and chemicals, hormonal changes, emotional upsets, airborne pollutants etc.
Person with asthma exhibit wide range of signs and symptoms from episode of wheezing and feelings of chest tightness to acute immobilizing attack
Asthma is often worse at night and maybe worse anytime the person is laying down
During an asthma attack, the airway is narrow because of the spasms of the bronchial tubes, edema (swelling) of the bronchial mucosa, and mucus plugging
Air becomes trapped behind the narrowed airways and the person has difficulty breathing out
The service provider should hand the person their medication which is usually an inhaler or puffer and allow them to administer it themselves - Service should be discontinued if severe symptoms are obvious and breathing does not improve have the client taken to the hospital immediately

Bronchitis
Airway obstruction is caused by inflammation of the major and small airways
There is a edema (swelling) and excess production of mucus into the bronchial passages
History of a chronic cough for more than three months is necessary for a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis
Mostly seen in people who are smokers and who have recurrent infections
Emphysema
Characterized by loss of elasticity of the lungs, and destruction of the alveolar walls and Capillary beds
There is extreme shortness of breath in use of accessory muscles to breathe
It’s eventually results in a barrel chest
Caused by years of smoking, inhaling pollutants, or hereditary factors
Weight loss occurs due to difficulty eating 
