RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Asynchronous Task 1: Group Activity:

The Respiratory System Interactive worksheet
Asynchronous Task 2: Group Activity:
Wearing Masks and Disease Spread
• Respiration is the process where exchange of gases,
particularly oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs.
• Internal respiration – Gas
exchange between blood and
cells.
• External respiration – gas exchange between the
lungs and the blood
• Transport – transport of oxygen and carbon
dioxide
 UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT
• The passageway of air in the upper respiratory
tract includes the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx
and larynx.
 Nose, Nasal cavity, and Sinuses
• The nose consists of the nostrils which is used
for breathing and smelling.
• The nostrils are the openings of the nose for
entry and exit of air.
The functions of the nose and the nasal cavity:
1. Provides opening or airway for respiration
through the nostrils
2. Moistens and warms air due to the mucus
secretion of the cell lining in the nasal cavity.
3. Filters inhaled air using the cilia
4. Contains olfactory receptors for smelling
• Maxillary sinuses – Found under the eyes.
• Frontal sinuses – located above the eyes
• Ethmoid sinuses – between the eyes and the
• Sphenoid sinuses – located behind the eyes
1. Nasopharynx- Upper part of the pharynx that
is connected to the nasal cavity.
2. Oropharynx – middle part of the pharynx,
located between the palate and border of the
epiglottis
3. Laryngopharynx – distal part of the pharynx
• Larynx is also known as the voice box that
connects the pharynx to the trachea. It is
made up of cartilage.
• The thyroid cartilage is a shield-shaped
cartilage that forms the laryngeal
prominence (Adam’s apple) in males.
The larynx serves as passageway of air, and helps in
voice or sound production.
The epiglottis is a flexible flap at the superior end of the
larynx which moves when swallowing and speaking. It
closes off the trachea when swallowing to prevent
food or liquid from entering the airway.
 TRACHEA
• The trachea or windpipe is a hollow tube that
connects the larynx to the bronchi.
• The trachea plays a vital role as a passive air
passageway.
• The bronchial tree consists of the branching system of bronchi and
bronchioles that conduct air from the windpipe into the lungs.
• Bronchioles – branch of smaller tubes
 LUNGS
The human lungs are pair of large, spongy organs
where exchange of gases occurs. The right lung
consists of three lobes (superior, middle and
inferior lobes) while the left lung has two lobes
(superior and inferior lobes)
• Surrounding the lungs are doubled-layer sacs
called the pleurae (singular pleura). The outer
layer is the parietal pleura and the inner layer
is the visceral pleura. The pleural cavity is the
space between visceral and parietal pleura
• At the end of each bronchioles there are
microscopic air sacs called alveoli (singular :
alveolus) where gas exchange happens
PHYSIOLOGY OF BREATHING
• BREATHING is the movement of air in and out
of the respiratory tract which is divided into
two stages:
a. Inspiration (inhalation) – is the movement of
air into the lungs.
b. Expiration (exhalation) – is the movement of
air out of the lungs.
• Diaphragm is the large dome shaped muscle
below the thoracic cavity.
• Intercostal muscle – are located between the
ribs.
• During inspiration:
1. Diaphragm and intercostals muscles contract pulling up the
rib cage.
2. Air pressure in the lungs decreases.
3. Air moves in from the external environment into the lungs.
• During expiration:
1. Diaphragm and intercostals muscles relax pulling down
the rib cage.
2. Air pressure in the lungs increases.
3. Air moves out from the lungs into the external
environment.
• When you inhale, oxygen-rich air flows from
the upper respiratory tract down to the lower
respiratory tract until it reaches the lungs
• Inside the lungs oxygen diffuses into the inner
wall of the alveoli. Then, from the cells of the
air sacs, it diffuses to the capillaries, and into
the blood is referred to as external respiration.
• In the red blood cells, oxygen combines with
the protein hemoglobin forming
oxyhemoglobin.
TAKING CARE OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
How do we take care of our Respiratory
System?
SOME COMMON RESPIRATORY DISEASES
ASTHMA
• This is a chronic respiratory condition caused
by consistent inflammation of the respiratory
tracts and constriction of airways, which
results to difficulty of breathing.
 Allergens such as dust or dirt can trigger an
asthma attack.

Symptoms that are left untreated can worsen, and

in some cases, can be fatal. There is no cure in
asthma, but it can be managed by some
medications and by avoiding allergens that may
trigger this disease.
COPD/ Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease
• COPD is a general term that includes several
respiratory disorders that cause breathlessness
or the inability to exhale normally. This disorder
is caused by smoking, and environmental
factors like pollution and genetic predisposition.
BRONCHITIS
• Bronchitis is categorized into chronic and
acute bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is a form
of COPD that is characterized by a chronic
cough. On the other hand, acute bronchitis is
a viral infection.
 Emphysema
• This is another form of COPD caused by
smoking. The smoke from the cigarette
damage the alveoli of the lungs to the extent
that these air sacs are severely dehydrated
and can no longer repair themselves.
That is why those who suffer from this
disease have difficulty in exhaling air from
their lungs. Emphysema is a progressive
disease and does not have permanent cure.
 LUNG CANCER
• Lung cancer has an ability to develop in any
part of the lungs which can be difficult to
detect. Most often, the cancer develops as
lumps in the lungs near the alveoli.
• Mutations of the DNA in the lungs cause
production of irregular cells that multiply and
leads to uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells
or tumor.
• Symptoms may take years to appear which
include chronic coughing, changes in voice,
harsh breathing sounds, coughing up blood,
and many others.
 PNEUMONIA
• This lung disease is an infection in the alveoli
of the lungs which can be caused by bacteria,
viruses, or fungi that can be life threatening.
Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of
breath, and chills.
 CARE OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
• Breathe clean, fresh air. Avoid polluted places.
Cover your nose with a clean handkerchief or
wear protective mask when you go outside.
• Maintain cleanliness at home. Minimize the
use of aerosols, air freshener, or pesticides.
• Avoid smoking or passive smoking.
• Stay away from infectious people with
contagious respiratory diseases.
• Do regular exercises such as walking, jogging
and simple breathing exercises.
• Take healthy balanced diet and some
multivitamins. Have enough rest and sleep.
• Have a regular check up or seek medical help
when respiratory symptoms occur.