Structure and Function of the Respiratory System

The primary function of the respiratory system provides our body with oxygen and removes waste products such as carbon dioxide, heat and water. Oxygen is extremely important and is required by every cell in the body of every living creature. The respiratory system does this while breathing is taking place. During the process of breathing we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. This exchange of gases takes place at the alveoli. The average adult's lungs contain about 600 million of these spongy, air-filled sacs that are surrounded by capillaries. The inhaled oxygen passes into the alveoli and then diffuses through the capillaries into the arterial blood. The carbon dioxide follows the same path out of the lungs when you exhale.

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Fact sheet
Inhaled air contains:
more oxygen used to create energy less carbon dioxide than

Exhaled air which contains:

more carbon dioxide produced as a waste product of energy production less oxygen as it has been used in respiration Gas exchange takes place by diffusion in the alveoli within the lungs. As a result the composition of inhaled and exhaled air is different.

Gas exchange
Gas % in inhaled air % in exhaled air Oxygen 21 16 Carbon dioxide 0.04 4 Nitrogen 79 79 NB These figures are approximate.

The respiratory system is made up of structures to help the body function: Nasal Cavity Epiglottis Larynx Trachea Bronchus Bronchioles Pleural membrane Pleural fluid Diaphragm Intercostals muscles Alveoli Pharynx

Nasal Cavity
The nose is separated into two parts, the external nose and the internal nasal cavity. When we breathe in the air travels through our nostrils into the nasal cavity, the hairs in the nostrils prevent dust, pollen and other foreign particles from moving through to the nasal cavity by acting as a filter. The air is then warmed and moistened before it passes into the nasopharynx, a layer of sticky mucous trap any other small foreign particles and the tiny hairs know as cilia transport this to the pharynx to be swallowed. The tissue that covers the wall of your nasal cavity contains many blood vessels. Heat from the blood in the vessels helps warm the air as you breath. Moisture is added to the air you breath by special cells in the walls of the nasal cavity. The air is warmed and moistened before it reaches your lungs.

http://library.thinkquest.org/5777/resp2.htm

Epiglottis
The epiglottis is a flap that is made of elastic cartilage tissue that is located in the throat behind the tongue and in front of the larynx. The epiglottis remains upright at rest which allows air top ass into the larynx and lungs. When we swallow the epiglottis closes and folds backward to cover the entrance of the larynx, this stops food and liquid entering the windpipe and lungs. After swallowing the epiglottis will return to its original upright position. resting position

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiglottis

Pharynx
The human pharynx is the part of the throat is found directly behind the mouth and nasal cavity and in front of the esophagus and larynx. The human pharynx is divided into three parts (nasopharynx, orpharynx and the laryngopharynx). The pharynx is part of the digestive system and respiratory system. It is around 10-13 cm long and contains skeletal muscle throughout, it is the passageway for both food and air and is specially adapted to avoid chocking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_pharynx

Larynx
The larynx is located in the neck at the top of the trachea, it is used when we talk, swallow and breathe. It is also known as the voice box and is made up of rigid cartilage walls,(the large cartilage in the front is often called the Adam's apple) it contains the vocal cords and is about 5 cm long.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larynx

Trachea
This is often referred to as the windpipe, it is about 12 cm long and 2 cm in diameter. The trachea contains many strong rings of cartilage to prevent it from collapsing. This flexible pipe is located at the front of the neck and branches off into the right and left bronchi

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.as p?articlekey=5829

Bronchus
The right and the left lung each have one large bronchus, connecting it to the trachea. Within the lung the bronchus branches into smaller tubes. The right lungs bronchus subdivides into three lobar bronchi, the left lung subdivides into two lobar bronchi, these then divide into segmental bronchi which are smaller again and finally the smallest branches are the bronchioles. A bronchus has cartilage plates, smooth muscle, and mucus secreting gland cells in its wall. It is also lined with cilia (small hairs), these remove dust and other small particles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronchus

Bronchioles
The bronchioles are part of the airway passages in the lungs. The are located at the end of the bronchi, the larger, branching airway passages in the lungs, and terminate in the alveoli, tiny circular sacs where oxygen is exchanged with carbon dioxide in the blood. Bronchioles are distinguished from the bronchi in that they do not contain cartilage or glands. They are responsible for controlling air distribution and airflow resistance in the lungs. Bronchioles are approximately 1mm or less in diameter and their walls consist of ciliated cuboidal epithelium and a layer of smooth muscle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronchiole

Pleural Membrane and Pleural Fluid

The lungs are covered with a double sheet of thin membrane called pleura. The thin space between the two pleural layers is known as the pleural cavity, it normally contains a small amount of pleural fluid. The fluid will help lubricate the walls so that when the lungs expand and contract they are friction free. The outer pleura is attached to the chest wall. The inner pleura covers the lungs and other structures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleural_cavity

Diaphragm
The diaphragm is made up of a central tendinous part, extended via the diaphragmatic muscle between rib cage and spinal column. This is the dome shaped muscle that separates
the chest and abdomen, the contraction of the diaphragm increases the area in the chest cavity, this draws more air into the lungs during inspiration and during expiration it relaxes to decrease the area in the cavity and forces air out during expiration. When the muscle contracts it pulls the tendinous part down, and the diaphragm descends like a parachute.

http://www.spirxpert.com/formfunction.htm

Intercostals muscles
Intercostal muscles are several groups of muscles that run between the ribs, they help with the inspiration and expiration of the lungs and help form the move of the chest wall. The intercostal muscles are mainly involved in the mechanical aspect of breathing. These muscles help expand and shrink the size of the chest cavity when you breathe. The

external intercostal muscles are on the outside of the ribs and pull the ribs upwards and outwards, this increases the area of the chest and draws air into the lungs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercostal_muscle

Alveoli
Alveoli are tiny air flaps in the lungs. In the alveoli, oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the blood, getting rid of the carbon dioxide and giving the oxygen to the red blood cells to be delivered to all of the muscles and organs. Alveoli are elastic, which means that they can stretch when they are filled with air. The singular of alveoli is one alveolus. Alveoli are tiny grape-like sacs where gas exchange takes place in the lungs (oxygen and carbon dioxide). When you breathe out, the body delivers carbon dioxide to the alveoli, and you release it in your exhalation.

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alveolus_diagra m.svg