2. Structure and Function
The respiratory system
performs two major tasks:
•Exchanging air between the
body and the outside
environment known as external
respiration
•Bringing oxygen to the cells
and removing carbon dioxide
from them referred to as
internal respiration 2
3. The Pathway of Oxygen
to the Internal Cell
• Mouth and nose
• Pharynx (throat)
• Larynx (voice box)
• Trachea (windpipe)
• Bronchi
• Bronchioles
• Alveoli (air sacs)
4. The Structure and Function
of the Nose
• The nose is a cavity that is divided by a wall of cartilage called
the septum.
• The structures inside the nose warm and filter the air.
• Cilia (hairs that warm the air)
• Mucous membranes (trap dust and bacteria)
5. The Structure and Function
of the Pharynx
• Also called the throat
• Passageway for food and air
• Connects the mouth to the larynx
6. The Structure and Function
of the Epiglottis
• Lid on the top of the larynx
• When food is swallowed, the lid closes so that food is directed
down the esophagus and not into the lungs.
• Air passes over the open epiglottis and enters the larynx.
8. The Structure and Function
of the Larynx
• Also called the voice
box
• A tube made up of
nine separate
cartilages to maintain
openness
• Lined with mucous
membranes that
form two folds called
the vocal cords
9. The Structure and Function
of the Trachea
• Also called the windpipe
• Held open by C-shaped rings of cartilage
• The wall between the rings is elastic to adjust for body
positions.
• Above the middle of the sternum, the trachea divides into two
sections called bronchi.
10. The Structure and Function of the
Bronchus and Bronchiole
• The bronchus connects the trachea to the lungs.
• Once inside the lungs, the bronchus divides and divides again
to become microscopic bronchioles that act as tiny air
passageways.
11. The Structure and Function
of the Alveolus
• Also called the air
sacs
• Clusters of capillaries
located at the ends
of each bronchiole
• The body contains
approximately 500
million alveoli
12. The Diaphragm and the Brain and
How They Relate to Breathing
• The main muscle of respiration is called the diaphragm.
• When the diaphragm contracts, it produces a vacuum that
causes air to be drawn in.
• When the diaphragm relaxes, air is forced out of the lungs.
13. Occurrences That Alter
Breathing
• Coughing
• Deep breaths followed by forceful exhalation that can clear
mucus from the lower respiratory tract
• Hiccoughs
• Caused by spasm of the diaphragm, possibly the result of an
irritation to the diaphragm
14. Occurrences That Alter
Breathing
• Sneezing
– Air is forced through the nose to clear the upper respiratory
structures
• Yawning
– Deep, prolonged breath that can be caused by a drop in oxygen
levels
• Crying
– A change in the breathing pattern that is in response to emotions
15. Diagnostic, Procedural &
Laboratory Tests
Methods Used to
Diagnose Respiratory
Disorders:
•Auscultation
(stethoscope)
•Assessing respiratory
rate
Normal Adult
•Percussion respiratory rate is 15
to 20 respirations per15
•Sputum analysis minute.
16. Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary function tests measure the
mechanics of breathing.
Peak flow meter
•measures the capacity for breathing
Spirometer
•a pulmonary function testing machine that measures the
lungs volume and capacity
Forced Vital Capacity Forced Expiratory Volume
Highest breathing Shows breathing capacity at
capacity following the different parts of the 16
deepest breath respiratory cycle
17. Abnormalities/Masses
Abnormalities such as
masses and
restricted blood flow
within the lungs can
be detected via:
•Chest x-rays
•MRI
•Lung scans Structures of the
respiratory system can
be observed via:
17
•Endoscopy
•Bronchoscopy
18. Bronchoscopy and Chest X-Ray
• Bronchoscopy
• A tube is inserted into the trachea to view the airways or to
remove a foreign body
• Chest x-rays
• Studies that tell the general health of the lungs and surrounding
tissue
21. Atelectasis and Bronchitis
• Atelectasis
• Lack of air in the lungs resulting from collapse of the alveolus
• Bronchitis
• Acute or chronic disease that results in inflammation of the
bronchial walls and narrowing of the airways
22. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD)
• A chronic condition that is usually the result of a combination
of respiratory disorders
• A progressive disease that causes dyspnea, respiratory
failure, and death
23. Emphysema and Epistaxis
• Emphysema
• Irreversible enlargement of the air spaces in the lungs caused by
destruction of the alveolar walls
• Results in the inability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Epistaxis
• Nosebleeds
24. Laryngitis and Pleurisy
• Laryngitis
• Acute or chronic inflammation of the vocal cords
• Pleurisy
• Inflammation of the pleura that results as a complication of
infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis, or injury
25. Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
• Associated with chronic lung disease or left ventricular heart
failure
• Individuals awaken at night with a sensation of suffocation
that is probably caused by an accumulation of fluid in the
lungs
26. Pneumonia and Pneumothorax
• Pneumonia
• Acute infection of the lung tissues
• The leading cause of death among patients already in a weakened
state
• Pneumothorax
• Air or gas that has accumulated between the two pleural
layers, causing collapse of the lung tissue
27. Tuberculosis
• Acute or chronic bacterial lung infection that is highly
contagious
• The body reacts to the bacteria by converting destroyed tissue
into a cheeselike material that can develop into fiber optic
obstruction of the lung cavities.
28. Upper Respiratory Infection
Upper respiratory infection is a term that
covers an infection of some or all of the
respiratory tract.
Other Conditions:
28
•Croup •Epistaxis •Pertussis
•Diptheria •Rhinorrhea
29. Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is
a term for any disease with chronic obstruction of
the bronchial tubes and lungs such as:
•Emphysema
•Chronic Bronchitis
Asthma causes
narrowing of the bronchi
leading to Normal Asthmatic
dyspnea, wheezing and bronchiole bronchiole, s
coughing. howing 29
constriction
30. Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma
• Allergic rhinitis
• A reaction of the eyes, nose, and sinuses to airborne allergens
• Asthma
• A chronic disorder that causes swelling, inflammation, and
constriction of the bronchi and bronchioles
• Can be caused by exposure to allergens
31. Hemoptysis
Hemoptysis
Lung or bronchial hemorrhage that results in the spitting of
blood.
Cystic Fibrosis
Disease of the exocrine glands that causes secretion of
abnormally thick mucus which leads to chronic obstruction.
Atelectasis
Collapsed alveoli leading to collapse of a lung or part of a
lung.
Pneumonia 31
Acute infection of the alveoli.
32. Environmental Conditions
Conditions caused by environmental agents
Pneumoconiosis
•Caused by dust in the lungs
Anthracosis
•Caused by coal dust
Asbestosis
•Caused by asbestos particles
released during construction
of ships and buildings
Silicosis
•Caused by the silica dust 32
from grinding rocks or glass
35. Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• Can kill infants between the ages of birth and 8 months of age
• Normal breathing becomes rapid and shallow.
• The nostrils flare and the sternum retracts.
• The infant “grunts.”
36. Pharmacology
Antibiotics, antihistamines and anticoagulants are
used for respiratory disorders just as with other
system disorders.
Medications specific to Respiratory Conditions:
Bronchodilators
•Dilate the bronchial walls
Expectorants
•Promote coughing and expulsion of mucus 36
37. Mechanical Devices
Mechanical Devices that aid in Respiration
Ventilators
•Actually serve as a
breathing substitute for
patients who can not
breathe on their own.
Nebulizers
•Deliver medication
through the mouth or
nose to ease breathing 37
problems
38. Agents to Treat Respiratory
Conditions Treat Respiratory Conditions
Agents Used to
Antitussive
Expectorants
(relieves coughing) (promotes
coughing and
Decongestants expelling of
mucus)
(decreases and
38
prevents mucus
buildup)
