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1. Introduction

The document provides an overview of the structure and function of the respiratory system, detailing its anatomy, including the lungs and airways, as well as the processes of ventilation, diffusion, and gas exchange. It outlines the roles of the respiratory system in gas exchange, blood pH regulation, voice production, olfaction, protection, and metabolism. Additionally, it discusses the blood supply to the lungs and the muscles involved in respiration.

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حسين جلال حسن Hussein Al-hindawi
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© © All Rights Reserved
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11 views

1. Introduction

The document provides an overview of the structure and function of the respiratory system, detailing its anatomy, including the lungs and airways, as well as the processes of ventilation, diffusion, and gas exchange. It outlines the roles of the respiratory system in gas exchange, blood pH regulation, voice production, olfaction, protection, and metabolism. Additionally, it discusses the blood supply to the lungs and the muscles involved in respiration.

Uploaded by

حسين جلال حسن Hussein Al-hindawi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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University of Babylon

College of Medicine

Department of Physiology

1
Structure and Function of the
Respiratory System

When you can not breath, nothing else matters

Slogan of the American Lung Association

2
Objects: At the end of these lectures you must know
the following things:

• 1. Basics of the respiratory system (functions &


functional anatomy).

• 2. Ventilation.

• 3. Diffusion.

• 4. Gas exchange at the levels of lungs and tissues.

• 5. Gas transport in blood.

• 6. Regulation of ventilation.
Respiration is the process by which the
body takes in and utilizes oxygen (O2)
and gets rid of carbon dioxide (CO2).

4
An Overview of Key Steps in Respiration

5
ANATOMY OF THE
RESPIRATORY TRACT

6
Lungs
• Two lungs: Principal
organs of respiration
– Right lung: Three lobes
– Left lung: Two lobes
• Divisions
– Lobes,
bronchopulmonary
segments, lobules
• Pulmonary interstitial
tissues include Elastin,
collagen fibers,
lymphocytes, plasma cells,
and mast cells
7
Respiratory System Divisions

• Upper Airway
– Nose, pharynx,
larynx and
associated
structures
• Lower Airway
– trachea, bronchi,
lungs

8
Airways of the respiratory system:

• The respiratory system composed of 2 airways


the conducting airways and the respiratory
airways.

9
The conducting airways (Conducting Zone):
All the structures air passes through before reaching the
respiratory zone.
Include the nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi,
bronchioles, and terminal bronchioles.
They do not participate in gas exchange.

10
 The bronchi have cartilaginous rings that protect them
from collapsing during expiration.
 The bronchi branch to form bronchioles have no
supporting cartilage. They are embedded within lung
parenchyma, and their diameter expands and contracts
with lung volume.
 Their functions: Warms and humidifies inspired air,
filters and cleans.
11
Conducting Zone

Insert fig. 16.5

12
The respiratory airways (Respiratory
Zone):

• include the respiratory bronchioles (i.e.,


bronchioles with alveoli in their walls and
alveolar ducts) and alveolar sacs.

• It is region of gas exchange between air and


blood.

13
Respiratory Zone

• Region of
gas
exchange
between air
and blood.

• Includes
respiratory
bronchioles
and
alveolar
sacs.
14
Respiratory Zone

Alveoli

Air sacs

Honeycomb-like clusters

~ 300 million.

Large surface area (60–80 m2).

Each alveolus: only 1 thin cell layer.

15
15
Alveolar cells:

Alveolar type I: structural cells.

Alveolar type II: secrete surfactant.

16
16
Respiratory System Functions
• Gas exchange: Oxygen enters blood and carbon dioxide
leaves
• Regulation of blood pH: Altered by changing blood carbon
dioxide levels
• Voice production: Movement of air past vocal folds makes
sound and speech
• Olfaction: Smell occurs when airborne molecules drawn
into nasal cavity
• Protection: Against microorganisms by preventing entry
and removing them
• Metabolism: Synthesize and metabolize different
compounds (Nonrespiratory Function of the Lung)
17
BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE LUNG
• Two separate blood supplies: pulmonary circulation and bronchial
circulation

18
Pulmonary circulation
• Brings deoxygenated blood from the right
ventricle to the gas-exchange units

• At the gas-exchanging units, oxygen is picked


up and carbon dioxide is removed from the
blood

• The oxygenated blood returned to the left atrium


for distribution to the rest of the body
19
Bronchial circulation
oArise from the aorta
o Provides nourishments to the lung parenchyma

20
MUSCLES OF RESPIRATION
• Inspiratory muscle:
o Diaphragm (Abdominal breathing ).
o External intercostal muscle (thoracic breathing).
o Accessory muscle of inspiration.
• Expiratory muscle
o Relaxation of the above muscles (Diaphragm,
External intercostal muscle and Accessory muscle)
during normal breathing
o Internal intercostal muscle
o Muscles of the abdominal wall 21
Thoracic Cavity
Diaphragm:
Sheets of striated muscle divides anterior body cavity into
2 parts.

Above diaphragm: thoracic cavity:


Contains heart, large blood vessels, trachea, esophagus,
thymus, and lungs.

Below diaphragm: abdominopelvic cavity:


Contains liver, pancreas, GI tract, spleen, and
genitourinary tract.

22
22
Pleura: Is a membranes outside the lung forming from
two layers:
1- One coated the lung surface outside called visceral
pleura.
2- 2nd lining the thorax cage inside called the parietal
pleura. A thin fluid between them called pleural fluid:
produced by pleural membranes acts as lubricant and
helps hold parietal and visceral pleural membranes
together.
23
Pleura

24
Breathing Rate
• At rest: 10-20 breaths / minute
• During exercise: 40 - 45 at maximum
exercise in adults

25

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