Chapter 8: The Respiratory System
Health Professionals of Pulmonology:
Pulmonologists: physicians who specialize in the diagnosis
and treatment of lung/pulmonary conditions
Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT): assist
physicians in evaluating, treating, and caring for patients
who have respiratory disorders
Sleep technologists: they are trained in sleep technology
and medicine; assist in assessment, monitoring,
management, and follow-up care of patients with sleep
disorders
6 Connected Elements of the RS
1. Nose
2. Pharynx: tube from back of nose to larynx
3. Larynx: organ of voice production
4. Trachea: air tube from larynx to bronchi
5. Bronchi and bronchioles: subdivisions of the trachea
6. Alveoli: where the gas exchange happens
Two Components of Respiration
1. Ventilation: movement of air and its gases into and out of
lungs (inspiration and expiration)
2. The exchange of gases between air and blood and
between blood and interstitial fluids
Functions of RS
Exchange gases
o All body cells need oxygen and produce CO2
o RS allow oxygen from the air to enter blood and CO2 to
leave the body and go into the air
Regulation of blood pH
, o Regulation occurs by changing the CO2 levels in the
blood
Protection
o RS protects against foreign bodies and some
microorganisms
Voice production
o Movement of air across vocal chords make voice and
sound possible (phonation)
Olfaction (Smell)
o 12 million receptor cells for smell are in a quarter-sized
path of epithelium
o Each cell has 10-20 cilia that project into the nasal
cavity in a thin mucous film
UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT
The Nose
Internal hairs prevent large particles from entering
Septum divides the 2 nasal cavities into right and left
The palate forms the floor of the nose and the roof of the
mouth
The paranasal, frontal, and maxillary sinuses open into the
nose
, Functions of the Nose
1. Passageway for air to enter and leave the body
2. Air cleanser: the nasal hair and mucus trap dust
particles and pollutants
3. Air moisturizer: moisture is secreted by the mucus
membrane and from tears that drain into the nasal cavity
through the nasal lacrimal duct
4. Air warmer: blood flowing through nose beneath the
mucus membrane lining warms the air; this prevents
damage from cold to the more fragile lower respiratory
passages
5. Smell: Nose recognizes at least 4,000 different smells
The Pharynx
A muscular funnel that receives air from nose and food/drink
from the mouth
Divided into 3 regions
Health Professionals of Pulmonology:
Pulmonologists: physicians who specialize in the diagnosis
and treatment of lung/pulmonary conditions
Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT): assist
physicians in evaluating, treating, and caring for patients
who have respiratory disorders
Sleep technologists: they are trained in sleep technology
and medicine; assist in assessment, monitoring,
management, and follow-up care of patients with sleep
disorders
6 Connected Elements of the RS
1. Nose
2. Pharynx: tube from back of nose to larynx
3. Larynx: organ of voice production
4. Trachea: air tube from larynx to bronchi
5. Bronchi and bronchioles: subdivisions of the trachea
6. Alveoli: where the gas exchange happens
Two Components of Respiration
1. Ventilation: movement of air and its gases into and out of
lungs (inspiration and expiration)
2. The exchange of gases between air and blood and
between blood and interstitial fluids
Functions of RS
Exchange gases
o All body cells need oxygen and produce CO2
o RS allow oxygen from the air to enter blood and CO2 to
leave the body and go into the air
Regulation of blood pH
, o Regulation occurs by changing the CO2 levels in the
blood
Protection
o RS protects against foreign bodies and some
microorganisms
Voice production
o Movement of air across vocal chords make voice and
sound possible (phonation)
Olfaction (Smell)
o 12 million receptor cells for smell are in a quarter-sized
path of epithelium
o Each cell has 10-20 cilia that project into the nasal
cavity in a thin mucous film
UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT
The Nose
Internal hairs prevent large particles from entering
Septum divides the 2 nasal cavities into right and left
The palate forms the floor of the nose and the roof of the
mouth
The paranasal, frontal, and maxillary sinuses open into the
nose
, Functions of the Nose
1. Passageway for air to enter and leave the body
2. Air cleanser: the nasal hair and mucus trap dust
particles and pollutants
3. Air moisturizer: moisture is secreted by the mucus
membrane and from tears that drain into the nasal cavity
through the nasal lacrimal duct
4. Air warmer: blood flowing through nose beneath the
mucus membrane lining warms the air; this prevents
damage from cold to the more fragile lower respiratory
passages
5. Smell: Nose recognizes at least 4,000 different smells
The Pharynx
A muscular funnel that receives air from nose and food/drink
from the mouth
Divided into 3 regions
