Document Code No.

CHS/BSN-CURR -RLEFORM-002a
Revision No. Effective Date Page No.
00 02.24.2023 1 of 2

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Anatomy & Physiology of Respiratory System:

The respiratory system is situated in the thorax, and is responsible for gaseous
exchange between the circulatory system and the outside world. Air is taken in via the
upper airways (the nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx) through the lower airways
(trachea, primary bronchi and bronchial tree) and into the small bronchioles and alveoli
within the lung tissue.

The lungs are divided into lobes; The left lung is composed of the upper lobe,
the lower lobe and the lingula (a small remnant next to the apex of the heart), the
right lung is composed of the upper, the middle and the lower lobes.

Inhaled air travels via the airways and alveolar ducts of a healthy lung and then exits
through the alveoli. The blood-filled alveoli are air sacs that are encased in incredibly
thin walls. At this location, blood and air exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
When this system is infected, the body responds by producing pus that is made up of
blood components, white blood cells (especially a subset of cells known as
neutrophils), and plasma proteins (particularly a group of proteins called opsonins). The
destruction of the microorganisms and recovery from infection depend on these cells
and proteins. Consequently, if we have pneumonia, we need to send these cells and
proteins to the lungs, where the microbes are, or we risk dying from the illness.

But this same pus is harmful. Although neutrophils are effective in killing bacteria by
producing toxic and degradative byproducts, they can also harm the lungs. For
instance, neutrophils in pneumonic lungs produce hypochlorite, the main ingredient in
bleach, which is effective in killing germs but not so beneficial for lung cells. In addition,
pulmonary edema—a fluid buildup in the lungs caused by the aggregation of plasma
proteins—occurs. The body needs oxygen and carbon dioxide to move between the
blood in the lungs and the breathed air in order to operate, but pulmonary edema
makes breathing difficult. 
 Document Code No.
CHS/BSN-CURR -RLEFORM-002a
Revision No. Effective Date Page No.
00 02.24.2023 2 of 2

PICTURE MAY BE PRINTED, DISCUSSION HANDWRITTEN

Evaluation Tool:
UNACCEPTABLE SATISFACTORY EXCEPTIONAL REMARKS
Anatomy and Physiology 1-7 8-12 13-20
No drawing or picture, or Used right drawing or picture of the body system and Used right drawing or picture of the
identified the wrong body body parts that are directly involved in the disease body system and body parts that are
system and body parts. process and correctly labelled; but lacking some directly involved in the disease process
details on the characteristics and functions and how it and correctly labelled; described the
may have or have contributed to the disease characteristics and functions and how it
process. may have or have contributed to the
disease process.