REVIEW OF NORMAL STRUCTURES IN THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

PURPOSE
 provides the mechanisms for transporting oxygen from the air into the blood
 removes carbon dioxide from the flood

ANATOMIC AREAS
 Upper respiratory tract
 made up passageways that conduct air between the atmosphere and the lungs
 nose, pharynx, larynx
 function: purify, humidify and warm air before entering lungs
 Lower respiratory tract
 trachea, main bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, lungs

ZONES
 Conducting Zones
 provide passageway for air
 nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, main bronchi, primary bronchi, secondary bronchi,
bronchioles, terminal bronchioles
 Respiratory Zones
 where gas exchange takes place
 respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, alveoli
PLEURAL MEMBRANES
 Parietal pleura – lines the walls of the thoracic cavity
 Visceral/Pulmonary pleura – covers the lungs
 pleural membranes produce pleural fluid
VENTILLATION (BREATHING)

 movement of air into and out of the lungs

 two phases: inspiration and expiration
MECHANICS OF BREATHING

↑ CO2 levels or H+ ions ↓O2 levels in the

in the arterial blood arterial blood

peripheral chemoreceptors
central chemoreceptors in the aortic body of the
in the medulla oblongata aortic arch, and in the
bifurcation of the common
carotid arteries

respiratory centers in
the medulla oblongata

intercostal nerves phrenic nerves

external intercostal diaphragm to

muscles to contract contract

ribs and diaphragm move

attached parietal pleura

pulls visceral pleura and
lungs with it

↑ VOLUME, ↓ PRESSURE
in the lungs

↑ Atmospheric pressure > ↓ intra-alveolar pressure

*air flows from ↑pressure to ↓pressure

PEDIATRIC DIFFERENCES
1. Size
a. There is shorter distance between structures in young children
b. The lumen of the young child’s respiratory tract is smaller, and thus more easily obstructed.
c. There are fewer alveoli at birth; numbers, size and shape continue to increase until puberty
d. Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal, facilitating transfer of pathogen into the
middle ear; lymphoid and tonsillar tissue is normally enlarged and may obstruct the passage of
air.

2. Function
a. Neonates are nose-breathers; therefore, any obstruction in nasal
passages interferes with breathing and eating
b. Infant’s airway walls have less cartilage, and are more flexible and
more prone to collapse; intercostal muscles are immature; the chest
wall is less stable, and retractions are more common
c. Newborns have less respiratory mucus to function as a cleaning
agent.
d. Increased respiratory and metabolic rates increase the need for
oxygen.