Wid Abdulkhaleq Physiology (Lecture 5(

Respiratory system (Oxygen delivery system)

•The respiratory system is the set of organs that allows a person to breathe
and exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body.

•The integrated system of organs involved in the intake and exchange of O 2

and CO2 between the body and the environment and including the nasal
passage, larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, and lungs.

•The respiratory system, functionally can be separated in two zones;

conducting zones (nose to bronchioles) form a path for conduction of the
inhaled gases and respiratory zone (alveolar duct to alveoli) where the gas
exchange takes place. Anatomically, respiratory tract is divided into upper
(organ outside thorax- nose, pharynx and larynx) and lower respiratory tract
(organ within thorax- trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar duct and
alveoli).

Figure (1) The respiratory system.

 Wid Abdulkhaleq Physiology (Lecture 5(

Respiratory system functions:

1-Supplies the body with oxygen and dispose of carbon dioxide.

2-Filter inspired air.
3-Produces sound.
4-Clear the body from excess and heat.
5-Control blood pH.

Physiology of respiration

The process of gas exchange in the body in the body called respiration, it
has three basic steps:

1-Breathing
Breathing (pulmonary ventilation), involved the exchange of air
between atmosphere and the alveoli of the lung. It consist of two cyclic
phases:

•Inhalation, also called inspiration- draws gases into the lungs. A very
active process that requires input of energy. The diaphragm contract,
moving downward and flattening.

•Exhalation, also called expiration-forces gases out of the lungs. A passive

process that takes advantage of the recoil properties of elastic fibers. The
diaphragm relaxes.

2-External (pulmonary) respiration

•It is the exchange of gases between the alveoli of the lung and the blood in
pulmonary capillaries across the respiratory membrane.
•In this process, pulmonary capillary blood gain O2 and losses CO2.

3-Internal (tissue) respiration

•It is the exchange of gases between blood in the systemic capillaries and tissue
cells. In this step blood loses O2 and gain CO2 within cells occur cellular
respiration.

Mechanism of respiration
1-Inspiration or inhalation : it is involve
a-Contraction of intercostal muscle.
b-Diaphragm contraction.

2-Exparition or exhalation which involve:

 Wid Abdulkhaleq Physiology (Lecture 5(

a-Relaxation of intercostal muscle.

b-Diaphragmatic relaxation.

Respiratory muscle
1-Diaphragm: it is a skeletal muscle which separate chest on the abdominal
cavity and has a play role in breath pressure.
2-Intercostal muscle (internal and external).
3-Abdominal muscles.
4-Sternocleidomastoideous.
5-Scalenus.

Chest or thoracic cavity :it is characteristic by

1-Chest pressure lower than atmospheric pressure.
2-Lung and chest are elastic structures.
3-There are a number of intercostals muscles which play a role in inspiration.
4-The diaphragm is play important role in respiration cycle.

Nose: The only extremely visible part of the respiratory system

•Also called external nares.
•Divided into two halves by the nasal septum.
•Contain the para-nasal sinuses where air is warmed.
•Contain cilia which is responsible for filtering out foreign bodies.

Pharynx (Throat)
•Muscular passage from nasal cavity to larynx.
•Three regions of the pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx).
•The oropharynx and laryngopharynx are common passageways for air and
food.
Larynx (Voice box)
It serve as a sphincter, transmitting air from oropharynx and
nasopharynx to trachea. It made of eight rigid hyaline cartilage and a spoon-
shaped flap of elastic cartilage (epiglottis). It prevents swallowed materials
from entering the lower respiratory tract.

Trachea
Flexible tube that connect larynx with bronchi which lined with ciliated
mucosa and contain C-shaped hyaline cartilage. It is divided in each lung
into primary bronchi which subdivided into smaller and smaller branches
called bronchioles that end in the alveoli and contain goblet cells which
secret mucus and ciliated epithelial cells.
 Wid Abdulkhaleq Physiology (Lecture 5(

Figure (2) showing the bronchus and alveoli.

Alveoli
It is considering the 1st part of respiratory system. Small cavities which
full with the air which reach to 3000,000,000 in each lung. Structurally
alveoli consist alveolar duct, alveolar sac and alveolus which gas exchange
takes place. It is increase area of the lung surface.

Pleura
•The outer surface of each lung and adjacent internal thoracic wall are
lined by a serous membrane called pleura.
•The outer surface of each lung is tightly covered by the visceral pleura.

•While the internal thoracic walls, and the superior surface of diaphragm
as well as the chest cavity are lined by the parietal pleura.

Pleura cavity: the potential space between the serous membrane layers is a
pleural cavity.

•The pleural membranes produces a thin, serous pleural fluid that circulates
in the pleural cavity and acts as lubricant, ensuring minimal friction during
breathing.
 Wid Abdulkhaleq Physiology (Lecture 5(

Lung
• Occupy most of the thoracic cavity.
•Apex is near the clavicle (superior portion).
•Base rests on the diaphragm (inferior portion).
•Each lung in two lobes by fissures (left lung- two lobes) and (right lung-
three lobes