The respiratory system

 

 THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The respiratory system is a body system that take part in the process of nutrition. Our bodies need to absorb oxygen in order for our muscles to function.

The respiratory system help us deliver oxygen to all parts of the body.

Stages of respiration 

1.- Inhalation - the diaphragm contracts allowing the lung to get bigger and fill up with air from the mouth and nose. We take in oxygen which passes through our lungs and into our blood.

 2.- Exhalation - we breathe air out. Our lungs get smaller. We push out the carbon dioxide that our body doesn´t need.

PARTS OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

 The respiratory system divided in two parts: upper and lower respiratory tract.

1.- UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT includes:

• Nasal cavity
• Pharynx  (allows the air to flow from the mouth and nose to the lungs)
• Larynx  (contains the vocal cords that enable us to speak)

2.- LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT includes:

•  Trachea (is a long rigid tube which carries air from our mouth and nose to the bronchi) 
• Bronchi  (2 small tubes which carry air from the trachea to the lungs)
• Lungs  (are spongy organs connected to the bronchi)
• Bronchioles  (these are small tubes inside the lungs)
• Alveoli  (at the end of each bronchiole are tiny sacs called alveoli)
• the Diaphragm is a muscle which helps the lungs to move in a way necessary for breathing.

 

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Diseases of the respiratory system fall into two categories:

1.- VIRUSES, bacterial pneumonia

2.- and CHRONIC DISEASES, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• COPD chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma and emphysema. It is a progressive disease that makes it increasingly difficult for sufferers to breath.
• ASTHMA is a chronic inflammation of the lung airways that causes coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. These signs and symptoms may be worse when a person is exposed to air pollution, tobacco smoke, factory fumes, cleaning solvents, infections, pollens, chemicals and medications.
• LUNG CANCER is often associated with smoking, but he disease can affect non-smokers as well.

FACTS ABOUT THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

1.   When you burp it is really swallowed air in your stomach, the you let it out and burrrrrpppp!!!!!
2. When you hiccup it is only because your diaphragm moves in a funny way that makes you breath in air suddenly, then the air hits the vocal chord
3. Women and children breathe at a faster rate that men.
4. Hairs in the nose help clean and warm the air we breathe
5. Your left lung is smaller that your right (which leaves room for your heart)