Respiratory System
CHAPTER 7
Respiratory System
2 divisions:
Upper respiratory tract
Nasal cavity, pharynx
Lower respiratory tract
Larynx, trachea, bronchi,
lungs
Functions:
Exchanges oxygen and
carbon dioxide between the
air and blood
Regulates blood pH
Produces sounds
Moves air over sensory
receptors that detect smell
Protects against some
microorganisms
Nose & Nasal Cavity
NASAL CAVITY
Structure
A double cavity formed by
The frontal, sphenoid, and ethmoid
bones of the cranium
The nasal, maxilla, vomer, and
palatine bones of the face
Divided by a septum
From the anterior nares to the
posterior nares
Opens into the pharynx
Lined with ciliated columnar epithelium
Contain goblet cells
Functions
Provide a passageway to the lungs
Warms, moistens, & filters air
Cilia sweeps mucus toward the throat
Nose and Nasal Cavity
NASAL CONCHAE
Structure
3 protruding folds on the outer walls of the nasal cavity
Superior concha
Middle concha
Inferior concha
Made of cartilaginous tissue covered with ciliated columnar
epithelium
Nose and Nasal Cavity
NASAL CONCHAE
Function
Provide greater surface area and air turbulence for
improved warming of air
Nose and Nasal Cavity
SINUSES
Structure
Air cavities within the bones
around the nasal cavity
Have small openings into
the nasal cavity
Maxillary sinuses
Frontal sinuses
Ethmoidal sinuses
Lined with mucous
epithelium
Function
Provide resonance to the
voice
Nose and Nasal Cavity
NASOLACRIMAL DUCTS
Small ducts from the
conjunctival sacs of the
eye to the nasal cavity
Drain tears
Nose and Nasal Cavity
OLFACTORY NERVE ENDS
Sensory nerve
endings located in the
roof of the nasal cavity
Respond to odorous
chemical stimuli
Pharynx
A 12-14 cm long tube with
openings from the nose
and mouth that extends to
the larynx and oesophagus
3 divisions:
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
Involved in respiration,
speech, taste, and eating
Pharynx
3 layers of tissue in the wall
of the pharynx
Mucous membrane
(inner)
Part ciliated columnar
Part stratified
squamous epithelium
Fibrous tissue
Constrictor muscle
tissue
Impt for swallowing
Pharynx
NASOPHARYNX
Upper part of the pharynx
Lies behind the nasal cavity
Contains
Auditory tube openings
Leads to the middle ear
Provide pressure
equalization
Olfactory sensors
For smell
Pharyngeal tonsils
(adenoids)
Defensive lymphatic
tissues
Larger in children
Pharynx
OROPHARYNX
The mid part of the pharynx
Lies behind the oral cavity
Contains the following:
Palatine tonsils
Defensive lymphatic
tissue
Located between the
two folds (pillars) of
tissue on each side wall
Uvula
Hangs from the soft
palate
Taste sensors
Pharynx
LARYNGOPHARYNX
Lower part of the
pharynx
Lies behind the
larynx
Contains openings
into the
oesophagus and
larynx
Larynx
VOICE BOX
Location:
In front of the
laryngopharynx
Below the hyoid
bone and root of the
tongue
Larger in males
Giving a deeper
voice and “Adam’s
apple” prominence
Larynx
CARTILAGES
Thyroid cartilage
2 laminae fused at the
front
Form the laryngeal
prominence
Cricoid cartilage
Lies posterior to and
below thyroid cartilage
Shape of signet ring
Wider part to the back
Connected to the thyroid
& arytenoid cartilages
By ligaments and
tissues
Larynx
CARTILAGES
Arytenoid cartilages
Two small pieces
Attached to the top
of the posterior part
of the cricoid
cartilage
Provide attachment
for the vocal cords
and muscles
Larynx
CARTILAGES
Epiglottis
Leaf-shaped
Attached to the
thyroid cartilage
Runs obliquely up,
back, and behind the
hyoid bone
Closes over larynx
when larynx moves
up when swallowing
Prevents food
entering the
respiratory system
Larynx
VOCAL CORDS
Two pale folds of mucous
membrane
Stretch between the
thyroid prominence and
the arytenoid cartilages
Movement of the arytenoid
cartilages
Tensions the vocal
cords
Draws them closer
together
Forms a narrow slit
Larynx
VOCAL CORDS
When air passes through the
slit, the vocal cords vibrate,
making sound
Pitch
Controlled by length &
tightness of vocal cords
Loudness
By the force of air
Resonance
Developed in the
mouth, pharynx, &
nasal cavities, including
the sinuses
Speech
Manipulation of sound
by the mouth, tongue,
and lips
Trachea
About 10-11 cm long windpipe
From the larynx to its division into
2 bronchi
Kept open at all times by 16-20 C-
shaped rings of hyaline cartilage
3 layers:
Outer
Fibrous and elastic tissue
Middle
Cartilages, bands of smooth
muscle and areolar tissue
supporting blood and nerve
supply
Inner
Ciliated columnar
epithelium with goblet cells
Cilia sweep mucus toward
the throat
Bronchial Tree
BRONCHI
Branch from the trachea
Enter lungs at the hilum
2 branches
R bronchus
3 branches go to 3 lobes
of the R lung
L bronchus
2 branches go to 2 lobes
of the L lung
Tissue structure
Similar to the trachea
With increasingly less
defined cartilages toward
the distal ends
Cilia sweep mucus toward the
throat
Bronchial Tree
BRONCHIOLES
Multiple branches that become smaller until they merge with
alveolar ducts
No cartilages
Inner lining changes from ciliated columnar to cuboidal then to
simple squamous epithelium
Bronchial Tree
BRONCHIOLES
Alveolar
Branched alveolar ducts
Open into alveolar
sacs
Have several
openings into alveoli
pouches
Surrounded by a
network of capillaries
Blood supply
Via the R and L
bronchial arteries and
veins
Lymphatic vessels drain
lymph into the thoracic
duct and R lymphatic
duct
Lungs
STRUCTURE
L lung
Has superior and
inferior lobes
R lung
Has superior,
middle, and inferior
lobes
Lungs
STRUCTURE
Features
Apex
Enters the root of the neck
Base
Follows contour of the diaphragm
Costal surface
Convex
Follows line of rib cage
Medial surface
Concave
Contains the hilum, which contains
the structures of the root of the
lung including:
1 bronchus
1 pulmonary artery & 2 pulmonary
veins
Lymph vessels
Nerves
Lungs
FEATURES
Pleura
Closed sac of serous
membrane, providing 2
layers:
Parietal pleura (lining
the chest wall and
diaphragm)
Visceral pleura
(covers lung)
Pleural cavity
A potential space
between the pleura
Containing pleural fluid
to prevent friction
External Respiration
INSPIRATION
When breathing in
The intercostal muscles contract
Lifts the rib cage up and out
Diaphragm contracts and
flattens
Combined action results in the
Increase in size of the
pulmonary cavity
Decrease in pressure within
the lungs/alveoli
Air in the atmosphere moves
into the lungs to equalize the
pressure difference
Lungs inflate with air
External Respiration
EXPIRATION
When breathing out
Intercostal muscles &
diaphragm relax
Elastic recoil takes over
Leads to increase in
pressure within the
lungs/alveoli
Air within lungs flows
back into the atmosphere
Lungs deflate
Pause
A rest period between
expiration & inspiration
External Respiration
INTERCHANGE OF GASES
Interchange is by diffusion
down the concentration
gradient
Gases always exert pressure
on the walls of their
container
Lung Volumes & Capacities
Anatomical dead space
The air capacity remaining
in the respiratory passages
after completely exhaling
About 150 ml dead space
(DSV)
Tidal volume (TV)
Amount of air passing in
and out with quiet breathing
About 500 ml
Lung Volumes & Capacities
Inspiratory capacity
Amount of air inhaled/exhaled
with maximum effort
= TV + inspiratory reserve
volume
Functional residual volume
The amount of air in the air
passages and alveoli after
quiet respiration
2300 ml
A mixture of this and the tidal
air maintains a fairly stable
mixture of air in the alveoli
Provides a steady transfer
of oxygen to the blood
Prevents collapse of the
alveoli
Lung Volumes & Capacities
Vital capacity
TV + Inspiratory & Expiratory
reserve volumes
4000 ml
Respiratory rate (RR)
Number of breaths per minute
Infants = 28-40; children = 20-
28; adults = 16-20
Alveolar ventilation (AV)
The amount of air moving in
and out of the alveoli per
minute
AV = RR X (TV - DSV)
= 15 X (500 - 150) ml
= 5.25 L/min
Internal Respiration
Exchange of gases mainly occur at
the arterial end of a capillary
Oxygen
Is dissolved in plasma
Or carried in oxyhaemoglobin
Diffuses down the
concentration gradient
From blood through capillary
wall to the tissues
Carbon dioxide
Diffuses down the
concentration gradient
From the tissues through the
capillary wall to the blood
Higher carbon dioxide levels
assist the release of oxygen
from oxyhaemoglobin
Internal Respiration
At the venous end of a
capillary
Pressures of oxygen and
carbon dioxide in
equilibrium between the
capillary & interstitial fluid.
Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory
System
Respiratory infections
The most common types of
infections
Most are mild, but some are
among the most damaging
types of infection
Many are spread by:
Direct contact with droplets
produced by sneezing and
coughing
Contact of contaminated
objects with hands and
fingers, which then come into
contact with the mouth and
nasal passages
Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory
System
INFECTIONS OF THE UPPER
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Strep throat
Caused by streptococcal
bacteria
Characterized by
inflammation of the
pharynx and fever
Frequently inflammation
of the tonsils and middle
ear are involved
Treated with antibiotics
Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory
System
INFECTIONS OF THE UPPER
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Diphtheria
Caused by a bacterium
Grayish membrane forms
in the throat
Can block the
respiratory passages
totally
Can be prevented by
immunization
Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory
System
INFECTIONS OF THE UPPER
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Common cold
Result of a viral infection
Symptoms include: sneezing,
excessive nasal secretions,
and congestion
Can easily spread to sinus
cavities, lower respiratory
passages, and the middle ear
Common complications
include laryngitis and otitis
media
Usually runs its course to
recovery in about 1 week
Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory
System
INFECTIONS OF THE LOWER
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Laryngitis & bronchitis
Also caused by many of the
same infections that mainly
affect the upper respiratory
system
Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory
System
INFECTIONS OF THE LOWER
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Whooping cough or pertussis
Bacterial infection
Causes a loss of cilia in the respiratory epithelium
Mucus accumulates & cause severe coughing
Can be prevented by vaccination
Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory
System
INFECTIONS OF THE LOWER
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Tuberculosis (TB)
Caused by a tuberculosis bacterium
Form small lumplike lesions called
tubercles
Contain degenerating macrophages
and tuberculosis bacteria
An immune reaction is directed
against the bacteria
Causes the formation of larger
lesions and inflammation
Tubercles can rupture, releasing
additional bacteria, which infect
other parts of the lung or body
Treated with antibiotics
NB: a strain of TB that is resistant
to antibiotics is increasing in
frequency
Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory
System
INFECTIONS OF THE LOWER
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Pneumonia
Refers to many infections of the
lung
Most are bacterial, but some
are viral
Symptoms include fever,
difficulty in breathing, & chest
pain
Inflammation of the lungs
results in
Pulmonary edema
Poor inflation of the lungs
with air
Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory
System
INFECTIONS OF THE LOWER
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Flu or influenza
Viral infection of the respiratory system
Characterized by chills, fever, headache, & muscular
aches in addition to respiratory symptoms
Fungal diseases
Many affect the respiratory system
Fungal spores usually enter the respiratory system
attached to dust particles
Infections result in minor respiratory infections, but in
some cases they can spread to other parts of the body
