Note on respiratory system

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM




COMPILED BY HOWIE BAUM

,Through breathing,
inhalation and exhalation,
the respiratory system
facilitates the exchange of
gases between the air and
the blood and between
the blood and the body’s
cells.

The respiratory system
also helps us to smell
things and create sound.

The following are the five
key functions of the
respiratory system.

, The respiratory system aids in breathing, also
called pulmonary ventilation.

In pulmonary ventilation, air is inhaled
through the nasal and oral cavities (the nose
and mouth).

It moves through the pharynx, larynx, and
trachea into the lungs. Then air is exhaled,
flowing back through the same pathway.

Changes to the volume and air pressure in the
lungs trigger pulmonary ventilation.

During normal inhalation, the diaphragm and
external intercostal muscles contract and the
ribcage elevates.

As the volume of the lungs increases, air
pressure drops and air rushes in.

During normal exhalation, the muscles relax.
The lungs become smaller, the air pressure
rises, and air is expelled.