Learning Objectives

• Name the functions of the

respiratory system.

• Distinguish between pulmonary

ventilation, respiration, and
oxygenation.

• Explain external and internal

respiration.
 The Respiratory System
Respiratory system (pulmonary system) – a network of organs and
tissues that help the body take in oxygen and expel waste gases.
Primary functions:
• Breathing (pulmonary ventilation), the
inhaling and exhaling of air
• Regulating gas exchange with the body
• Producing sounds using the vocal cords
• Helping maintain body temperature by
removing excess heat through exhalation
• House the sensory neurons for the sense
of smell
Breathing Process

Processes to ensure that

oxygen is provided to
the body and carbon
dioxide is removed:
• Pulmonary
ventilation
• Respiration
• Oxygenation
Pulmonary Ventilation
Pulmonary ventilation – the
physical act of breathing that
includes:
• Inhalation (inspiration) -
the process of breathing
in air.
• Exhalation (expiration) -
the process of breathing
out air.
Respiration
Respiration - the exchange of
oxygen and carbon dioxide in the
body.
• External respiration - the External
respiration
exchange of gases (O2 and
CO2) between air in the lungs
and the bloodstream.
• Internal respiration - the Internal
exchange of gases (O2 and respiration

CO2) between the

bloodstream and cells in the
body’s tissues.
Oxygenation
Oxygenation - the process of
supplying oxygen to cells that
1 2 3
takes place during external
respiration.
1. Oxygen molecules in the
bloodstream enter red blood
cells and bind with
hemoglobin.
2. Red blood cells travel to
tissue cells in the body.
3. Oxygen is released from the
hemoglobin for use by tissue
cells.
Learning Objectives

• Distinguish between the

upper and lower airways of
the respiratory system.

• Explain the major structures

of the upper respiratory tract.
Introduction
The respiratory system is divided into two sections.

Upper respiratory tract: Lower respiratory tract:

• Nose • Trachea
• Nasal cavity • Bronchial tree
• Sinuses • Lungs
• Pharynx
• Larynx (voice box)
Nose and Mouth
Nose - the primary passageway for
air into and out of the respiratory
system.
The nostrils are lined with nasal
hair and mucous membranes that
filter out foreign materials.
Mouth-breathing allows the
respiratory system to meet
increased oxygen demands during
high stress or extreme
circumstances
Nasal Cavity and Sinuses
Nasal cavity - a hollow space
behind the nose in the middle of
the face.
Sinuses - four pairs of hollow
spaces in the skull that open into
the nasal cavity.
Functions include:
• Help moisten and filter the air
• Regulate the air temperature to
protect the lungs
• Provide resonance for the voice.
Pharynx
Pharynx - located behind
the nasal cavity and
mouth.
Functions as a
passageway for:
• Air moving from the
nasal cavity to the
larynx.
• Food moving from
the mouth to the
esophagus.
Epiglottis
Epiglottis - a small, leaf-like
flap of cartilage at the
bottom of the pharynx.
Function:
• Remains open allowing air
to flow to the lungs.
• Closes over the larynx
when a person swallows,
preventing food or liquid
from entering the air
passages.
Larynx

Larynx - located below the

epiglottis and anterior to, or
in front of, the esophagus. It
contains:
• Vocal cords
• Thyroid cartilage
• Cricoid cartilage
Learning Objectives

• Explain the major

structures of the lower
respiratory tract.
Trachea
Trachea – marks the beginning of the
lower respiratory tract and extends from
the cricoid cartilage to the carina.
Carina – a ridge of cartilage at the base
of the trachea that separates the
openings of the main bronchi.

Functions include:
• Serves as the passageway for air
from the upper respiratory tract to
the lungs.
• Warms and moistens air before
entering the lungs.
Lungs
Lungs – soft, spongy
organs located in the
thoracic cavity that are
responsible for gas
exchange.
Pleura – a thin, slippery
double membrane that
surrounds each lung and
lines the inner surfaces
of the thoracic cavity.
Pleural fluid reduces
friction on lungs during
breathing.
Bronchi and Bronchioles
Bronchi - larger airways in the
lungs that are supported by
cartilage rings.
Bronchi branch into smaller
and smaller sections. At the
lobes of the lungs, the bronchi
divide into branches called
bronchioles
Bronchioles - very narrow
airways in the lungs, less than 1
mm in diameter. They connect
the bronchi to the alveoli.
Alveoli
Alveoli – small air sacs; each
alveolus (singular) is
surrounded by a web of
capillaries.
The capillaries allow the
exchange of gases (O2 and
CO2) between air in the
alveoli and the bloodstream.
There are about 500 million
alveoli in adult lungs.