Respiratory Flashcards
(7 cards)
What is the function of the Respiratory System
Function: Respiration is the entire process by which a body obtains and uses oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide (waste) and excess water.
What is Respiration
Respiration is divided into two parts:
Breathing: The physical process of inhaling and exhaling.
Cellular Respiration: A chemical process where your cells produce ATP energy from food and O2 (mitochondria!)
What is the Role of Oxygen
When oxygen is absorbed by red blood cells, it is transported through the body by the cardiovascular/circulatory system.
Oxygen diffuses inside the cells, where it is used for cellular respiration.
After cellular respiration, carbon dioxide and water (wastes) leave the cell, return to the bloodstream and are carried to the lungs to be exhaled.
How do you breathe
Breathing is done by the contraction of the rib muscles and the diaphragm, a dome shaped muscle underneath the lungs.
When the diaphragm contracts and moves down, it increases the chest cavity volume, allowing air to be sucked in.
What does the Respiratory System Consist of
Nose: the primary passageway into and out of the respiratory system.
Pharynx - Throat
Epiglottis - flap of tissue that blocks the tube to the esophagus when breathing. Protects you from having food going down “the wrong pipe”.
Larynx - Voice box
Trachea: A large tube, aka the windpipe.
Bronchi (2 big tubes) /Bronchioles (tiny branches) - tubes carrying air into each lung
Lungs: two large sponge like organs.
Alveoli: tiny air sacs that are attached to the bronchioles inside your lungs. Where gas exchange takes place.
Diaphragm -a thin dome-shaped muscle under the lungs.
Contracts and flattens when you inhale; creates a vacuum effect that pulls air into the lungs.
When the diaphragm relaxes, you exhale and the air is pushed out of lungs.
What are Alveoli
Alveoli are surrounded by capillaries Tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles
Bronchitis
Bronchitis
Inflammation and thickening of the bronchial tubes, usually as a result of a respiratory infection.
Muscles become inflamed and mucus builds up.
