Respiratory System

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Respiratory System
The Respiratory System
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Objectives
Objectives
After studying this chapter, you will be able to

• Name the parts of the respiratory system and
  discuss the function of each part.
• Define combining forms used in building words
  that relate to the respiratory system and its
  parts.
• Identify the meaning of related abbreviations.

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Objectives Part 2
Objectives cont'd

• Name the common diagnoses, clinical procedures,
  and laboratory tests used in treating disorders
  of the respiratory system.
• List and define the major pathological conditions
  of the respiratory system.
• Explain the meaning of the surgical terms related
  to the respiratory system.

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Structure and Function
Structure and Function
The respiratory system performs two major tasks

• Exchanging air between the body and the outside
  environment known as external respiration
• Bringing oxygen to the cells and removing carbon
  dioxide from them referred to as internal
  respiration

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External Respiration
Structure and Function
External Respiration
Air from the outside environment enters the nose
or mouth during inspiration (inhalation).
The Nose

• Also called external nares
• Divided into two halves by the nasal septum
• Contains the paranasal sinuses where air is
  warmed
• Contains cilia which is responsible for filtering
  out foreign bodies

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Pharynx
Structure and Function
Pharynx
Also known as the throat is a passageway for both
air and food
Three Sections of the Pharynx
Nasopharynx
-contains the pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids) which
aid in the bodys immune defense
Oropharynx
-back portion of the mouth that contains the
palatine tonsils which aid in the bodys immune
defense
Laryngopharynx
-bottom section of the pharynx where the
respiratory tract divides into the esophagus and
the larynx
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Epiglottis
Structure and Function
The epiglottis, a movable flap of cartilage that
covers the opening to the larynx (voice box)
prevents food from entering the larynx during
swallowing.
Occasionally, a person may swallow and inhale at
the same time so some food may enter the larynx
and choking occurs.
A technique called the Heimlich maneuver has
saved many people from choking to death.
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Larynx
Structure and Function
Larynx
Serves as a passageway to the trachea and the
area where sounds are produced
Vocal Cords
Size and thickness determine the pitch of sound

• Short and thin high pitch
• Thick and long low pitch

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Trachea
Structure and Function
Trachea

• Also known as the windpipe
• Connects the larynx to the right and left bronchi
• Point at which it divides into the right and left
  bronchi is called the mediastinum

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Internal Respiration
Structure and Function
Internal Respiration
Air from the bronchi travels to the bronchioles
then to the tiny air sacs (alveoli) which connect
to lung capillaries.
Oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged and
oxygen is delivered to the body cells.
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Lungs
Structure and Function
Lungs

• Consist of a right and left lobe
• Covered by a double layer of membrane that makes
  movement in the thoracic cavity easier. The outer
  layer is the parietal pleura and the inner layer
  is the visceral pleura
• The space between the two pleurae is called the
  pleural cavity
• Consist of an apex (top section), hilum (middle
  section) and base (lower section)

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Inhale/Exhale
Structure and Function
The passage of air from the external environment
to the lung capillaries, bloodstream and out
consists of one inhalation and one exhalation.

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Muscles for Breathing
Structure and Function
Muscles for Breathing
The major muscles that contract to enlarge the
thoracic cavity during inspiration are the

• Diaphragm
• Intercostal muscles

Note The diaphragm lowers itself when it
contracts during inhalation
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Combining Forms Abbreviations adenoid(o)
Combining Forms and Abbreviations
Combining Form
Meaning
adenoid (o) alveol (o) bronch (o) bronchiol
(o) capn (o) epiglott (o) laryng (o)
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Combining Forms Abbreviations lob(o)
Combining Forms and Abbreviations
Combining Form
Meaning
lob (o) mediastin (o) nas (o) or (o) ox
(o) pharyng (o) phon (o)
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Combining Forms Abbreviations phren(o)
Combining Forms and Abbreviations
Combining Form
Meaning
phren(o) pleur(o) pneum (o) rhin (o) spir
(o) steth (o) thorac (o)
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Combining Forms Abbreviations ABG
Combining Forms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Meaning
ABG AFB AP AP ARD ARDS ARF
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Combining Forms Abbreviations BS
Combining Forms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Meaning
BS COLD COPD CPR CTA CXR DOE
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Combining Forms Abbreviations DPT
Combining Forms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Meaning
DPT ENT ET tube FEF FEV FVC HBOT
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Combining Forms Abbreviations IMV
Combining Forms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Meaning
IMV IPPB IRDS IRV LLL LUL MBC
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Combining Forms Abbreviations MDI
Combining Forms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Meaning
MDI PA PCP PEEP PFT PND RD
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Combining Forms Abbreviations RDS
Combining Forms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Meaning
RDS RLL RUL SIDS SOB TA TB
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Combining Forms Abbreviations TLC
Combining Forms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Meaning
TLC TPR URI VC V/Q scan
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Diagnostic, Procedural Laboratory Tests
Diagnostic, Procedural, and Laboratory Tests
Methods Used to Diagnose Respiratory Disorders

• Auscultation
• Assessing respiratory rate
• Percussion
• Sputum analysis

Normal Adult respiratory rate is 15 to 20
respirations per minute.
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Pulmonary Function Tests
Diagnostic, Procedural, and Laboratory Tests
Pulmonary function tests measure the mechanics of
breathing.
Peak flow meter

• measures the capacity for breathing

Spirometer

• a pulmonary function testing machine that
  measures the lungs volume and capacity

Forced Vital Capacity
Forced Expiratory Volume
Highest breathing capacity following the deepest
breath
Shows breathing capacity at different parts of
the respiratory cycle
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Abnormalities/Masses
Diagnostic, Procedural, and Laboratory Tests
Abnormalities such as masses and restricted blood
flow within the lungs can be detected via

• Chest x-rays
• MRI
• Lung scans

Structures of the respiratory system can be
observed via

• Endoscopy
• Bronchoscopy

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Laboratory Tests
Diagnostic, Procedural, and Laboratory Tests
Laboratory Tests

• Throat Cultures
• Sputum Sample

• Arterial Blood Gases
• Sweat Test

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Pathology
Pathology
epiglottitis
adenoiditis
bronchitis
laryngitis
pharyngitis
pneumonitis
rhinitis
sinusitis
tonsillitis
laryngotracheobronchitis
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Breathing Patterns
Pathology
Breathing Patterns
Other Conditions

• Cheyne Stokes Respiration
• Hyperventilation
• Hypoxemia

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Upper Respiratory Infection
Pathology
Upper respiratory infection is a term that covers
an infection of some or all of the respiratory
tract.
Other Conditions

• Croup
• Diptheria

• Epistaxis
• Rhinorrhea

• Pertussis

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Pathology
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a
term for any disease with chronic obstruction of
the bronchial tubes and lungs such as

• Emphysema
• Chronic Bronchitis

Asthma causes narrowing of the bronchi leading to
dyspnea, wheezing and coughing.
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Hemoptysis
Pathology
Hemoptysis
Lung or bronchial hemorrhage that results in the
spitting of blood.
Cystic Fibrosis
Disease of the exocrine glands that causes
secretion of abnormally thick mucus which leads
to chronic obstruction.
Atelectasis
Collapsed alveoli leading to collapse of a lung
or part of a lung.
Pneumonia
Acute infection of the alveoli.
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Environmental Conditions
Pathology
Conditions caused by environmental agents
Pneumoconiosis

• Caused by dust in the lungs

Anthracosis

• Caused by coal dust

Asbestosis

• Caused by asbestos particles released during
  construction of ships and buildings

Silicosis

• Caused by the silica dust from grinding rocks or
  glass

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Disorders of the Pleura
Pathology
Disorders of the Pleura
Pneumothorax

• Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity.

Empyema

• Pus in the pleural cavity.

Hemothorax

• Blood in the pleural cavity.

Pleural Effusion

• Escape of fluid into the pleural cavity.

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Otorhinolaryngologists
Surgical Terms
Otorhinolaryngologists are physicians that
specialize in disorders of the upper respiratory
tract.
Surgical Removal Conditions

• Laryngectomy

• Tonsillectomy

• Adenoidectomy

• Pneumonectomy

• Lobectomy

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Surgical Repair
Surgical Terms
Surgical Repair
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Surgical Incisions
Surgical Terms
Surgical Incisions

• Laryngotracheotomy
• Sinusotomy
• Thoracotomy
• Tracheotomy

• Endotracheal intubation is the insertion of a
  tube through the nose or mouth, pharynx, larynx
  and into the trachea to establish an airway.

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Pharmacology
Pharmacology
Antibiotics, antihistamines and anticoagulants
are used for respiratory disorders just as with
other system disorders.
Medications specific to Respiratory Conditions
Bronchodilators

• Dilate the bronchial walls

Expectorants

• Promote coughing and expulsion of mucus

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Mechanical Devices
Pharmacology
Mechanical Devices that aid in Respiration
Ventilators

• Actually serve as a breathing substitute for
  patients who can not breathe on their own.

Nebulizers

• Deliver medication through the mouth or nose to
  ease breathing problems

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Agents to Treat Respiratory Conditions
Pharmacology
Agents Used to Treat Respiratory Conditions
Antitussive
Expectorants
(relieves coughing)
(promotes coughing and expelling of mucus)
Decongestants
(decreases and prevents mucus buildup)
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Apply Your Knowledge
Apply Your Knowledge
Identify the following respiratory structures
A. Trachea
B. Bronchi
C. Alveolus
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Apply Your Knowledge Part 2
Apply Your Knowledge
An obstruction in which of the following would be
MOST fatal?
A. BRONCHIOLE B. TRACHEA C. BRONCHI
Answer B. Trachea
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Apply Your Knowledge Part 3
Apply Your Knowledge
Mr. Davis has had hoarseness for the past six
months. He recently went to his physician and
received a diagnosis of cancer of his voice box.
Which of the following procedures might be
indicated for Mr. Davis?
A. Pharyngectomy B. Pneumonectomy C.
Laryngectomy
Answer C. Laryngectomy
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Apply Your Knowledge Part 4
Apply Your Knowledge
Melissa has very thick respiratory secretions.
She visits a local pharmacy looking for something
to help her with her dry cough.
Which of the following types of medication should
Melissa consider taking?
A. Expectorant B. Antitussive C. Antibiotic
Answer A. Expectorant