RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

(A WRITTEN REPORT)
 I. WHAT IS RESPIRATORY SYSTEM?

The Respiratory System (also respiratory apparatus, ventilatory system) is a

biological system consisting of specific organs and structures used for gas exchange in animals
and plants. The anatomy and physiology that make this happen varies greatly, depending on
the size of the organism, the environment in which it lives and its evolutionary history. In land
animals, the respiratory surface is internalized as linings of the lungs. Gas exchange in the
lungs occurs in millions of small air sacs called alveoli in mammals and reptiles, but atria in
birds. These microscopic air sacs have a very rich blood supply, thus bringing the air into close
contact with the blood. These air sacs communicate with the external environment via a system
of airways, or hollow tubes, of which the largest is the trachea, which branches in the middle of
the chest into the two main bronchi. These enter the lungs where they branch into progressively
narrower secondary and tertiary bronchi that branch into numerous smaller tubes,
the bronchioles. In birds, the bronchioles are termed parabronchi. It is the bronchioles, or
parabronchi that generally open into the microscopic alveoli in mammals and atria in birds. Air
has to be pumped from the environment into the alveoli or atria by the process of breathing
which involves the muscles of respiration.

The cells of the human body require a constant stream of oxygen to stay alive. The
respiratory system provides oxygen to the body’s cells while removing carbon dioxide, a waste
product that can be lethal if allowed to accumulate. There are 3 major parts of the respiratory
system: the airway, the lungs, and the muscles of respiration.

The airway, which includes the nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and
bronchioles, carries air between the lungs and the body’s exterior. The lungs act as the
functional units of the respiratory system by passing oxygen into the body and carbon dioxide
out of the body. Finally, the muscles of respiration including the diaphragm and intercostal
muscles work together to act as a pump, pushing air into and out of the lungs during breathing.

The human respiratory system is a series of organs responsible for taking in oxygen and
expelling carbon dioxide. The primary organs of the respiratory system are lungs, which carry
out this exchange of gases as we breathe.

Red blood cells collect the oxygen from the lungs and carry it to the parts of the body
where it is needed, according to the American Lung Association. During the process, the red
blood cells collect the carbon dioxide and transport it back to the lungs, where it leaves the body
when we exhale.
The human body needs oxygen to sustain itself. A decrease in oxygen is known as
hypoxia and a complete lack of oxygen is known as anoxia, according to the National Institutes
of Health. These conditions can be fatal; after about four minutes without oxygen, brain cells
begin dying, according to NYU Langone Medical Center, which can lead to brain damage and
ultimately death.
In humans, the average rate of breathing depends on age. A newborn's normal
breathing rate is about 40 times each minute and may slow to 20 to 40 times per minute when
the baby is sleeping, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
For adults, the average resting respiratory rate for adults is 12 to 16 breaths per minute,
according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Physical exertion also has an effect on respiratory rate,
and healthy adults can average 45 breaths per minute during strenuous exercise.
 II. FUNCTIONS OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The function of the human respiratory system is to transport air into the lungs and to
facilitate the diffusion of Oxygen into the blood stream. It also receives waste Carbon Dioxide
from the blood and exhales it. Here we explain the anatomy of the airways and how oxygen gets
into the blood.

Top 5 Functions of the Respiratory System: A Look Inside Key Respiratory Activities

Through breathing, inhalation and exhalation, the respiratory system facilitates the
exchange of gases between the air and the blood and between the blood and the body’s cells.
The respiratory system also helps us to smell and create sound. The following are the five key
functions of the respiratory system.

1. Inhalation and Exhalation Are Pulmonary Ventilation—That’s Breathing

The respiratory system aids in breathing, also called pulmonary ventilation. In

pulmonary ventilation, air is inhaled through the nasal and oral cavities (the nose and
mouth). It moves through the pharynx, larynx, and trachea into the lungs. Then air is
exhaled, flowing back through the same pathway. Changes to the volume and air
pressure in the lungs trigger pulmonary ventilation. During normal inhalation, the
diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract and the ribcage elevates. As the
volume of the lungs increases, air pressure drops and air rushes in. During normal
exhalation, the muscles relax. The lungs become smaller, the air pressure rises, and air
is expelled.

2. External Respiration Exchanges Gases Between the Lungs and the

Bloodstream

Inside the lungs, oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide waste through the
process called external respiration. This respiratory process takes place through
hundreds of millions of microscopic sacs called alveoli. Oxygen from inhaled air diffuses
from the alveoli into pulmonary capillaries surrounding them. It binds to hemoglobin
molecules in red blood cells, and is pumped through the bloodstream. Meanwhile,
carbon dioxide from deoxygenated blood diffuses from the capillaries into the alveoli,
and is expelled through exhalation.
3. Internal Respiration Exchanges Gases Between the Bloodstream and Body Tissues

The bloodstream delivers oxygen to cells and removes waste carbon dioxide
through internal respiration, another key function of the respiratory system. In this
respiratory process, red blood cells carry oxygen absorbed from the lungs around the
body, through the vasculature. When oxygenated blood reaches the narrow capillaries,
the red blood cells release the oxygen. It diffuses through the capillary walls into body
tissues. Meanwhile, carbon dioxide diffuses from the tissues into red blood cells and
plasma. The deoxygenated blood carries the carbon dioxide back to the lungs for
release.

4. Air Vibrating the Vocal Cords Creates Sound

Phonation is the creation of sound by structures in the upper respiratory tract of

the respiratory system. During exhalation, air passes from the lungs through the larynx,
or “voice box.” When we speak, muscles in the larynx move the arytenoid cartilages. The
arytenoid cartilages push the vocal cords, or vocal folds, together. When the cords are
pushed together, air passing between them makes them vibrate, creating sound. Greater
tension in the vocal cords creates more rapid vibrations and higher-pitched sounds.
Lesser tension causes slower vibration and a lower pitch.

5. Olfaction, or Smelling, Is a Chemical Sensation

The process of olfaction begins with olfactory fibers that line the nasal cavities
inside the nose. As air enters the cavities, some chemicals in the air bind to and activate
nervous system receptors on the cilia. This stimulus sends a signal to the brain: neurons
take the signal from the nasal cavities through openings in the ethmoid bone, and then
to the olfactory bulbs. The signal then travels from the olfactory bulbs, along cranial
nerve 1, to the olfactory area of the cerebral cortex.
 III. THE ANATOMY OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Nose and Nasal Cavity

The nose and nasal cavity form the main external opening for the respiratory system and
are the first section of the body’s airway—the respiratory tract through which air moves. The
nose is a structure of the face made of cartilage, bone, muscle, and skin that supports and
protects the anterior portion of the nasal cavity. The nasal cavity is a hollow space within the
nose and skull that is lined with hairs and mucus membrane. The function of the nasal cavity is
to warm, moisturize, and filter air entering the body before it reaches the lungs. Hairs and
mucus lining the nasal cavity help to trap dust, mold, pollen and other environmental
contaminants before they can reach the inner portions of the body. Air exiting the body through
the nose returns moisture and heat to the nasal cavity before being exhaled into the
environment.

Mouth

The mouth, also known as the oral cavity, is the secondary external opening for the
respiratory tract. Most normal breathing takes place through the nasal cavity, but the oral cavity
can be used to supplement or replace the nasal cavity’s functions when needed. Because the
pathway of air entering the body from the mouth is shorter than the pathway for air entering from
the nose, the mouth does not warm and moisturize the air entering the lungs as well as the nose
performs this function. The mouth also lacks the hairs and sticky mucus that filter air passing
through the nasal cavity. The one advantage of breathing through the mouth is that its shorter
distance and larger diameter allows more air to quickly enter the body.

Pharynx

The pharynx, also known as the throat, is a muscular funnel that extends from the
posterior end of the nasal cavity to the superior end of the esophagus and larynx. The pharynx
is divided into 3 regions: the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx. The nasopharynx
is the superior region of the pharynx found in the posterior of the nasal cavity. Inhaled air from
the nasal cavity passes into the nasopharynx and descends through the oropharynx, located in
the posterior of the oral cavity. Air inhaled through the oral cavity enters the pharynx at the
oropharynx. The inhaled air then descends into the laryngopharynx, where it is diverted into the
opening of the larynx by the epiglottis. The epiglottis is a flap of elastic cartilage that acts as a
switch between the trachea and the esophagus. Because the pharynx is also used to swallow
food, the epiglottis ensures that air passes into the trachea by covering the opening to the
esophagus. During the process of swallowing, the epiglottis moves to cover the trachea to
ensure that food enters the esophagus and to prevent choking.

Larynx

The larynx, also known as the voice box, is a short section of the airway that connects
the laryngopharynx and the trachea. The larynx is located in the anterior portion of the neck, just
inferior to the hyoid bone and superior to the trachea. Several cartilage structures make up the
larynx and give it its structure. The epiglottis is one of the cartilage pieces of the larynx and
serves as the cover of the larynx during swallowing. Inferior to the epiglottis is the thyroid
cartilage, which is often referred to as the Adam’s apple as it is most commonly enlarged and
visible in adult males. The thyroid holds open the anterior end of the larynx and protects the
vocal folds. Inferior to the thyroid cartilage is the ring-shaped cricoid cartilage which holds the
larynx open and supports its posterior end. In addition to cartilage, the larynx contains special
structures known as vocal folds, which allow the body to produce the sounds of speech and
singing. The vocal folds are folds of mucous membrane that vibrate to produce vocal sounds.
The tension and vibration speed of the vocal folds can be changed to change the pitch that they
produce.

Trachea

The trachea, or windpipe, is a 5-inch long tube made of C-shaped hyaline cartilage rings
lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. The trachea connects the larynx to the
bronchi and allows air to pass through the neck and into the thorax. The rings of cartilage
making up the trachea allow it to remain open to air at all times. The open end of the cartilage
rings faces posteriorly toward the esophagus, allowing the esophagus to expand into the space
occupied by the trachea to accommodate masses of food moving through the esophagus.
 The main function of the trachea is to provide a clear airway for air to enter and exit the
lungs. In addition, the epithelium lining the trachea produces mucus that traps dust and other
contaminants and prevents it from reaching the lungs. Cilia on the surface of the epithelial cells
move the mucus superiorly toward the pharynx where it can be swallowed and digested in the
gastrointestinal tract.

Bronchi and Bronchioles

At the inferior end of the trachea, the airway splits into left and right branches known as
the primary bronchi. The left and right bronchi run into each lung before branching off into
smaller secondary bronchi. The secondary bronchi carry air into the lobes of the lungs—2 in the
left lung and 3 in the right lung. The secondary bronchi in turn split into many smaller tertiary
bronchi within each lobe. The tertiary bronchi split into many smaller bronchioles that spread
throughout the lungs. Each bronchiole further splits into many smaller branches less than a
millimeter in diameter called terminal bronchioles. Finally, the millions of tiny terminal
bronchioles conduct air to the alveoli of the lungs.

As the airway splits into the tree-like branches of the bronchi and bronchioles, the
structure of the walls of the airway begins to change. The primary bronchi contain many C-
shaped cartilage rings that firmly hold the airway open and give the bronchi a cross-sectional
shape like a flattened circle or a letter D. As the bronchi branch into secondary and tertiary
bronchi, the cartilage becomes more widely spaced and more smooth muscle and elastin
protein is found in the walls. The bronchioles differ from the structure of the bronchi in that they
do not contain any cartilage at all. The presence of smooth muscles and elastin allow the
smaller bronchi and bronchioles to be more flexible and contractile.

The main function of the bronchi and bronchioles is to carry air from the trachea into the
lungs. Smooth muscle tissue in their walls helps to regulate airflow into the lungs. When greater
volumes of air are required by the body, such as during exercise, the smooth muscle relaxes to
dilate the bronchi and bronchioles. The dilated airway provides less resistance to airflow and
allows more air to pass into and out of the lungs. The smooth muscle fibers are able to contract
during rest to prevent hyperventilation. The bronchi and bronchioles also use the mucus and
cilia of their epithelial lining to trap and move dust and other contaminants away from the lungs.
Lungs

The lungs are a pair of large, spongy organs found in the thorax lateral to the heart and
superior to the diaphragm. Each lung is surrounded by a pleural membrane that provides the
lung with space to expand as well as a negative pressure space relative to the body’s exterior.
The negative pressure allows the lungs to passively fill with air as they relax. The left and right
lungs are slightly different in size and shape due to the heart pointing to the left side of the body.
The left lung is therefore slightly smaller than the right lung and is made up of 2 lobes while the
right lung has 3 lobes.

The interior of the lungs is made up of spongy tissues containing many capillaries and
around 30 million tiny sacs known as alveoli. The alveoli are cup-shaped structures found at the
end of the terminal bronchioles and surrounded by capillaries. The alveoli are lined with thin
simple squamous epithelium that allows air entering the alveoli to exchange its gases with the
blood passing through the capillaries.

Muscles of Respiration

Surrounding the lungs are sets of muscles that are able to cause air to be inhaled or
exhaled from the lungs. The principal muscle of respiration in the human body is the diaphragm,
a thin sheet of skeletal muscle that forms the floor of the thorax. When the diaphragm contracts,
it moves inferiorly a few inches into the abdominal cavity, expanding the space within the
thoracic cavity and pulling air into the lungs. Relaxation of the diaphragm allows air to flow back
out the lungs during exhalation.

Between the ribs are many small intercostal muscles that assist the diaphragm with
expanding and compressing the lungs. These muscles are divided into 2 groups: the internal
intercostal muscles and the external intercostal muscles. The internal intercostal muscles are
the deeper set of muscles and depress the ribs to compress the thoracic cavity and force air to
be exhaled from the lungs. The external intercostals are found superficial to the internal
intercostals and function to elevate the ribs, expanding the volume of the thoracic cavity and
causing air to be inhaled into the lungs.
Respiratory System Basics

All of this breathing couldn't happen without the respiratory system, which includes the
nose, throat, voice box, windpipe, and lungs.

At the top of the respiratory system, the nostrils (also called nares) act as the air intake,
bringing air into the nose, where it's warmed and humidified. Tiny hairs called cilia protect the
nasal passageways and other parts of the respiratory tract, filtering out dust and other particles
that enter the nose through the breathed air.

Air can also be taken in through the mouth. These two openings of the airway (the nasal
cavity and the mouth) meet at the pharynx, or throat, at the back of the nose and mouth. The
pharynx is part of the digestive system as well as the respiratory system because it carries both
food and air. At the bottom of the pharynx, this pathway divides in two, one for food (the
esophagus, which leads to the stomach) and the other for air. The epiglottis, a small flap of
tissue, covers the air-only passage when we swallow, keeping food and liquid from going into
the lungs.

The larynx, or voice box, is the uppermost part of the air-only pipe. This short tube
contains a pair of vocal cords, which vibrate to make sounds.

The trachea, or windpipe, extends downward from the base of the larynx. It lies partly in
the neck and partly in the chest cavity. The walls of the trachea are strengthened by stiff rings of
cartilage to keep it open. The trachea is also lined with cilia, which sweep fluids and foreign
particles out of the airway so that they stay out of the lungs.

At its bottom end, the trachea divides into left and right air tubes called bronchi, which
connect to the lungs. Within the lungs, the bronchi branch into smaller bronchi and even smaller
tubes called bronchioles. Bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli, where the exchange of
oxygen and carbon dioxide actually takes place. Each lung house is about 300-400 million
alveoli.

The lungs also contain elastic tissues that allow them to inflate and deflate without losing
shape and are encased by a thin lining called the pleura. This network of alveoli, bronchioles,
and bronchi is known as the bronchial tree.
 The chest cavity, or thorax, is the airtight box that houses the bronchial tree, lungs,
heart, and other structures. The top and sides of the thorax are formed by the ribs and attached
muscles, and the bottom is formed by a large muscle called the diaphragm. The chest walls
form a protective cage around the lungs and other contents of the chest cavity.

Separating the chest from the abdomen, the diaphragm plays a lead role in breathing. It
moves downward when we breathe in, enlarging the chest cavity and pulling air in through the
nose or mouth. When we breathe out, the diaphragm moves upward, forcing the chest cavity to
get smaller and pushing the gases in the lungs up and out of the nose and mouth,

Health Issues Affecting the Respiratory System

When something impairs our ability to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen, this is
obviously a serious problem. Many health problems can cause respiratory problems, from
allergies and asthma to pneumonia and lung cancer. The causes of these issues are just as
varied—among them, infection (bacterial or viral), environmental exposure (pollution or cigarette
smoke, for instance), genetic inheritance or a combination of factors. Sometimes the onset is so
gradual, we don’t seek medical attention until the condition has advanced.

How the Respiratory System Works

Your respiratory system’s primary function is to breathe in air, absorb oxygen into the
bloodstream, and breathe out carbon dioxide. We are all born with the same equipment that
does the same thing, but some of us end up, for whatever reason, needing a little help. First off,
let’s take a look at how the lungs and airways work. Then we can understand the different kinds
of diseases that can cause problems for us down the road.

Air comes into the body through the nose or mouth, and enters the airways. Airways are
the tubes that carry air into our lungs. As they branch out, they become smaller and smaller,
and eventually connect to small air sacs where fresh oxygen from the air is exchanged for
carbon dioxide in the blood. This oxygen is then taken through the blood to the rest of your
body, where it is used to produce energy.
Summary of the Main Components of Your Respiratory System

Trachea: This is your main windpipe, which starts at the back of your throat.

Bronchi: You have two of these, a left and right one that split off from the trachea to feed each
lung.

Bronchioles: These tiny tubes branch off from the bronchi, extending throughout all of your
lungs.

Alveoli: These are the tiny air sacs that connect to each bronchiole. Blood passes through here,
exchanging fresh oxygen from the air for carbon dioxide to be carried back out and exhaled.

Diaphragm: This is your primary breathing muscle, located at the base of your chest.
 IV. DISEASES OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Diseases and conditions of the respiratory system fall into two categories: viruses, such
as influenza, bacterial pneumonia, enterovirus respiratory virus; and chronic diseases, such as
asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to Dr. Neal Chaisson,
who practices pulmonary medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, there is not much that can be done
for viral infections but to let them run their course. "Antibiotics are not effective in treating
viruses and the best thing to do is just rest," he said.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

COPD is the intersection of three related conditions — chronic bronchitis, chronic

asthma and emphysema, Chaisson told Live Science. It is a progressive disease that
makes it increasingly difficult for sufferers to breath.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the lung airways that causes coughing,

wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath, according to Tonya Winders, president
of the Allergy & Asthma Network. These signs and symptoms may be worse when a
person is exposed to their triggers, which can include air pollution, tobacco smoke,
factory fumes, cleaning solvents, infections, pollens, foods, cold air, exercise, chemicals
and medications.

Lung cancer
Lung cancer is often associated with smoking, but the disease can affect non-
smokers as well. Every year, about 16,000 to 24,000 Americans die of lung cancer, even
though they have never smoked. In 2018, the American Cancer Society estimates there
will be about 234,030 new cases of lung cancer (121,680 in men and 112,350 in women)
and around 154,050 deaths from lung cancer (83,550 in men and 70,500 in women).
 V. FOODS THAT HELP RESPRIRATORY SYSTEM

Smoke from fire is dangerous because of the damage the smoke can do to a person’s
lungs. Exposure to smoke from a fire can contribute to asthma and sinus problems. A cough
can be a danger sign that the cilia, in the respiratory tract, sinuses, and lungs are bogged down
with foreign material and unable to move enough to do their job.

The following foods can actually help the respiratory system:

Green Tea: To help get all the foreign matter out of the respiratory tract, sinuses, and lungs,
drink hot liquids. Hot liquids, such as green tea is one way to get the cilia moving again. This in
turn can help get the mucus moving.

Eat foods high in antioxidants to help your respiratory system and reduce inflammation, such as:

Nuts — Vitamin E in nuts may help open your airways and reduce inflammation. Vitamin E is a
powerful antioxidant for the immune system that helps to protect and repair damaged lung
tissue and aids in red blood cell formation, which increases oxygen within the body.

Carrots — as well as other red, orange, and yellow fruits and veggies contain beta-carotene,
which may decrease the asthma. Your body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A, which is an
essential nutrient. Beta-carotene also has antioxidant properties that can help ward off cell
damage.

Papaya, collard greens and cantaloupe — high in vitamin A and can help repair lungs.

Oranges and papaya — contain vitamin C, which can help lungs heal. Other rich sources of
vitamin C include kiwi, parsley, celery, watermelon, and citrus fruits.

Onions — loaded with flavonoids (antioxidant), which help fight inflammation from asthma by
strengthening the capillary walls. They also can protect the lining of lungs and bronchial tubes
from damage caused by pollution. Apples, blueberries, and prickly pears also provide
flavonoids.

Brazil Nuts — contain selenium, which is a trace mineral that can help with asthma. All it takes
is eating one Brazil nut a day to provide recommended daily amounts.
Probiotics- beneficial bacteria has been shown to reduce inflammation. Probiotics seem to
reduce allergic reactions, and, for some people, asthma is triggered by allergies. Adequate
probiotics (gut flora) is vital for health, and contributes to a strong immune system. Supplements
and eating non-dairy homemade coconut-nut yogurt is recommended as best sources. Avoid
dairy products, which create mucous in the body.

Apples- packed full of vitamins and phytochemicals that may improve overall lung capacity.
Purchase organic apples and eat the peel as well, since that’s where many of the health-helping
flavonoids are found. Apples also contain quercetin, which is a flavonoid found in colorful fruits
and vegetables and may also relieve symptoms of sinusitis. Other foods rich in quercetin
include citrus fruits, grapes, onions, parsley, blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, and olive
oil.

Magnesium- relaxes the muscles in the airways and helps more air get through. Dried figs,
bananas, brown rice, prunes, and beans are just a few magnesium-rich foods.

Leafy greens- spinach and other leafy greens are good sources of magnesium and folate,
which can help with asthma and allergic reactions.

Omega- 3 fatty acids found in salmon and flax seeds can reduce inflammation in the lungs.

Garlic- can help with cleaning the lungs and detoxing them. Use fresh garlic and add it to your
food liberally for at least one meal a day.

Ginger- herb that helps detoxify lungs and contributes to better circulation.

Hot and spicy foods- can help to liquefy mucus in the respiratory system making it easier to
flush out.

Electronic References:

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/lungs.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_system
https://www.livescience.com/22616-respiratory-system.html
https://www.visiblebody.com/learn/respiratory/5-functions-of-respiratory-system
https://www.sierrastar.com/news/article87801312.html
 PREPARED BY:
GROUP IV (PE101-MA 43)
BACAY, CHARISSE ELQUEEN E.
BUAGAS, CHRISTIAN MARK
CUETO, KIMBERLY
DIAZ, TRICIA KATE M.
DE BELEN, KATHY
LASTIMOSA, KATRINA
OLIVEROS, IVY
PERLAS, KENNEDE
ROSITA, RECHELLE ANN S.

SUBMITTED TO:
MRS. VIRGINIA EBLAMO BAES
PE INSTRUCTOR