The Respiratory System & A&P of Pranayama Flashcards
Name the structures of the upper respiratory system.
Nose
Pharynx (naso, oro and laryngo)
Name the structures of the lower respiratory system.
Larynx (voice box)
Trachea (wind-pipe)
Bronchi (Bronchial tree)
Lung (left and right lobes)
What is the physiological process of respiration?
Air is inhaled through the nose where it gets filtered, moistened, and warmed. It is then moved through the pharynx, into the larynx, the trachea, and bronchi. In the second and last stage of the bronchioles the gaseous exchange of oxygen into the alveoli and carbon dioxide out begins and continues into the lungs.
What is gaseous exchange?
Within the alveolar sac, oxygen attaches to hemoglobin in the pulmonary capillary and transfers into the blood, in exchange carbon dioxide gets released out into the blood and alveolar sac on the exhale
What are alveoli?
Air sacs located in the bronchioles of the lungs that allow for rapid oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange.
What is the holistic function of the lungs?
Regulate air exchange (respiration)
Part of the autonomic NS
Regulates water metabolism
Blood circulation & supports immune system
Regulates hair & sweat glands providing moisture to skin.
What is the function of the breath during asana?
Ujjayi slows down the breath allowing for longer time/amount of oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange and more filtering, moistening and warming of air which the lungs like as they contract in cold.
When there’s equilibrium between the gaseous exchange, the blood can maintain a balanced pH.
Ujjayi breathing keeps the mind focused & quiet
and heats and heals the body by increasing the inner energetic fire (agni).
What is the functioning behind respiration of each type of breath, Inhale and exhale?
Inhalation: diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract and expand the chest cavity, creating a lower pressure system
Exhalation: diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax and the chest cavity gets smaller, creating higher pressure. The air is then moved out from the higher pressure system to the lower, with the help of the diaphragm
What is the biochemistry of breath?
The purpose of breathing is to keep oxygen concentration high and Carbon Dioxide low in the alveoli.
Oxygen concentration is high within each alveolar sac and Carbon dioxide concentration is really high in the pulmonary capillary so the oxygen binds to haemoglobin within the pulmonary capillary in exchange for a release of carbon dioxide.
