Respiratory System | quick revision for NEET
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| Photo By Ai |
- Respiratory System Overview:
- Consists of organs responsible for breathing and gas exchange.
- Includes the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, and diaphragm.
- Functions of the Respiratory System:
- Breathing (Ventilation):
- Movement of air in and out of the lungs.
Oxygen (O2) is taken in, and carbon dioxide (CO2) is expelled.
- Gas Exchange:
- Occurs in the alveoli of the lungs.
- Oxygen from inhaled air diffuses into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled.
- Oxygen Transport:
- Oxygen binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, which carries it throughout the body to cells and tissues for cellular respiration.
- Carbon Dioxide Transport:
- Carbon dioxide produced by cells is transported in the blood to the lungs, where it is exhaled.
- pH Regulation:
- Regulates blood pH by controlling levels of carbon dioxide, which can combine with water to form carbonic acid, influencing the body's acid-base balance.
- Sense of Smell:
- Olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity detect airborne chemicals, allowing for the sense of smell.
- Respiratory System Structures:
-Nose and Nasal Cavity:
- Warms, moistens, and filters inhaled air.
- Pharynx (Throat):
- Common passageway for air and food.
- Larynx (Voice Box):
- Contains vocal cords that produce sound.
- Functions in speech production and preventing food from entering the airway.
- Trachea (Windpipe):
- Conducts air between the larynx and bronchi.
- Supported by C-shaped cartilage rings to prevent collapse.
- Bronchi and Bronchioles:
- Branches of the trachea that conduct air into the lungs.
- Bronchioles are smaller airways that further divide and lead to the alveoli.
- Lungs:
- Paired organs located in the thoracic cavity.
- Composed of lobes filled with millions of alveoli for gas exchange.
- Diaphragm:
- Dome-shaped muscle below the lungs that contracts during inhalation and relaxes during exhalation, aiding in breathing.
- Respiratory System Regulation:
- Autonomic Control:
- Breathing is primarily regulated by the respiratory centers in the brainstem, including the medulla oblongata and pons.
- Automatic processes adjust breathing rate and depth in response to changes in blood pH, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels.
- Voluntary Control:
- Breathing can also be consciously controlled by higher brain centers, allowing for actions such as holding one's breath or altering breathing patterns.
- Respiratory Disorders:
- Asthma: Chronic inflammation of the airways leading to wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Progressive lung diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis characterized by airflow limitation.
- Pneumonia: Infection of the lungs causing inflammation, fluid buildup, and impaired gas exchange.
-Lung Cancer: Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs, often linked to smoking and environmental factors.
- Respiratory Infections: Including influenza, bronchitis, and tuberculosis, caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal pathogens.
Understanding the respiratory system and its functions is crucial for maintaining optimal health and well-being. By nurturing healthy respiratory habits and seeking prompt medical attention for respiratory issues, individuals can support lung function and overall vitality.