Major Functions
Gas exchange |
Blood pH regulation |
Voice production |
Olfaction |
Protection against airborne diseases |
Associated Cells/Structures
Cilia |
Hair-like |
Traps and wafts out dirt, pathogens etc. |
| |
Goblet Cells: Makes mucous |
| |
Mucous Properties |
Sticky for trapping |
Has lots of H₂O for air humidifying |
Age-Related Changes
Decreased respiratory function, O₂ amount in blood & cilia/macrophage activity |
Stiffened lung tissue & rib cage |
Increased COPD/emphysema risk |
Key Respiration Terms
Ventilation |
Respiration |
Breathing |
Gas exchange |
| |
Inspiration |
Expiration |
Inhaling |
Exhaling |
Gas exchange between blood & lungs |
Gas exchange between blood & cells |
Gas Exchange (Diffusion)
Gas exchange balances gas pressures on 'both sides' |
| |
Partial Pressure (P) |
Air-caused pressure inside alveoli & blood vessels |
| |
Internal Respiration |
External Respiration |
Between blood & cells |
Between blood & alveoli |
O₂ from blood to cells |
O₂ from alveoli to blood |
CO₂ from cells to blood |
CO₂ from blood to alveoli |
|
|
Upper Respiratory Tract (URT)
Organs Of URT |
Nasal cavity |
Pharynx |
Trachea |
Mouth |
Larynx |
| |
Roles |
Prevents infection |
Warms/cools air (via nasal cavity & pharynx) |
Cleans air (via mucous, nose hairs, cilia, tonsils and epiglottis) |
Humidifies air (via mucous) |
Nose & Nasal Cavity (URT)
Lined by epithelial tissues and goblet cells |
Highly vascular |
| |
Nose Hairs: Traps pathogens, dirt & dust |
Pharynx (URT)
Sections |
Nasopharynx: Back of nasocavity |
Oropharynx: Back of oral cavity |
Laryngopharynx: Joins the larynx |
| |
Functions/Properties |
Passage for air and food |
Highly vascular |
Has goblet cells |
Fights infections via tonsils |
Larynx (URT)
Produces speech |
Contains voice box & vocal cords |
Epiglottis seals off trachea when swallowing |
Has goblet cells |
Neural Control Of Breathing
Main Brain Structures Involved |
| |
Medulla Oblongata |
For normal, passive breathing |
Automatic signal spot |
Signals from inspiration centre contract diaphragm & intercostal muscles |
| |
Pons |
Increases breathing rate by overriding medulla oblongata's automatic signals |
Accommodates for exercise, fear etc. |
|
|
Trachea (LRT)
Main passage for air |
Has cilia (stimulates cough reflex) |
| |
C-Shaped Cartilage Rings |
Surrounds trachea |
Allows food accomodation |
Holds trachea open |
Bronchi (LRT)
Both have cartilage rings |
| |
Right Bronchus |
Left Bronchus |
Shorter, wider & more vertical |
2x longer than right |
Common site for foreign objects |
Narrower |
Bronchioles (LRT)
Branches off bronchi |
Air passage |
Has goblet cells |
Surrounded & lined by smooth muscle |
Pleura (LRT)
Double-layered lining |
Fluid-filled |
Alveoli (LRT)
Grape-like air sacs at end of bronchioles |
1 cell thick |
Surrounded by capillaries |
O₂ Saturations
Oxygen % in area of measurement |
| |
O₂ Saturation Unit: SpO₂ |
| |
O₂ Saturation Ranges |
Normal: 97-100% |
Low: 90-96% |
Critical: 89% and below |
Respirations (R or RR)
Normal Rate (No. Breaths/Min) |
Adults: 12-20 (16 average) |
Children: 20-28 (22 average) |
| |
Rhythm (Regularity) |
Normal or irregular |
| |
Depth (Breath Deepness) |
Shallow, normal or deep |
| |
Sounds |
Normal: None |
Abnormal: Wheezing, bubbling, crackling and/or stridor |
Temperature
Peripheral Temperature |
Core Temperature |
Recorded from surface |
Recorded from body's center |
| |
Temperature Ranges |
Normal: 36℃ - 37.4℃ |
Low: Below 35℃ |
High: 38℃ and above |
| |
Low Temperature |
High Temperature |
Name: Hypothermia |
Name:
Hyperthermia, pyrexia or febrile |
Causes: Shock,
liver/kidney disease, extreme cold,
hyperthyroidism |
Causes: Infection, heat stroke, virus |
|
