Respiratory System-1
Respiratory System-1
Respiratory System-1
PHYSIOLOGY
Regulation of breathing and cough
SARA GEORGE
School of Medicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of Botswana
The delivery of O2 to the lungs and the expulsion of CO2 and H2O out of the lungs.
The diffusion of O2 into the bloodstream and the diffusion of CO2 out of the bloodstream.
The production of speech and melody created by the vibration of the vocal folds.
The process of protecting respiratory surfaces from dehydration and temperature change and defending the
body against inhaled pathogens.
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
and breathing
Components of the respiratory system:
review
THE ALVEOLI
Alveoli are tiny, thin-walled air sacs with a rich blood supply.
Their walls are just one cell thick, as are the capillaries that
surround them, meaning that gases diffuse across a distance of
only two cells thick to gain access to the bloodstream.
The internal surface of an alveolus is covered with a moist film
of alveolar fluid allowing oxygen from the air to dissolve into
it. It contains surfactant, a fluid rich in phospholipids and
proteins that decreases the surface tension in the alveoli,
preventing them from collapsing. Each alveolus contains a
large number of macrophages that phagocytose foreign
particles and debris, killing bacteria that have entered the lungs
and have been trapped on the moist walls.
The alveolar side of the respiratory membrane is
composed of a layer of type 1 and 2 alveolar cells
surrounded by an epithelial basement membrane.
Alveolar macrophages line alveolar wall and
function to remove dust particles. The alveolar
wall is separated from the capillary wall by an
interstitial space.
Type 1 alveolar cells
Function
It anchors the alveolar cells to the surrounding connective tissue.
Alveolar macrophages
Function
They phagocytose (ingest) any debris or micro-organisms that
have become stuck to the respiratory surfaces. When confronted
with a large number of infectious particles, macrophages will also
trigger an immune response (inflammation and recruiting
neutrophils to the area).
Interstitial space
The interstitial spaces or tissue spaces are the minute gaps found
between cells and tissues; interstitial fluid fills these spaces
bathing the surrounding cells.
Function
Interstitial fluid allows the diffusion of gases to occur across the
respiratory membrane.
TYPE 2 ALVEOLAR CELL
TYPE 1
ALVEOLAR
CELL
MICROP
HAGE
EXCHANGE OF GASES
• The process of gas exchange in the body ,called
respiration, has three basic steps:
• Pulmonary ventilation: this includes the
inhalation and exhalation of air between the
atmosphere and the alveoli
• External respiration(pulmonary)exchange of
gases between the alveoli of he lungs and the
blood in pulmonary capillaries. In this process
the blood gains O2 and loses CO2.
• Internal respiration(tissue) is the exchange of
gases in the systemic capillaries and tissue cells.
Internal and External Respiration
Ventilation
Gas Transport
This is explained through Boyle’s law, which states that the pressure (p) of a gas in a
closed container is inversely proportional to the volume (V) of the container:
pV = The
K alveolar
(constant)
side of the respiratory membrane is composed of a layer of type 1 and 2 alveolar cells surrounded by an epithelial basement membrane.
Alveolar macrophages line alveolar wall and function to remove dust particles. The alveolar wall is separated from the capillary wall by an interstitial
space.
These differences in air pressure provide the primary force for airflow during pulmonary ventilation. Three other factors affect the ease of breathing:
surface tension of alveolar fluid, lung compliance, and airway resistance.
If the size of the closed container is decreased, the pressure of the gas inside the
container increases, and that if the size of the container increases, the pressure of the
gas inside the container decreases.
Partial Pressures of Gases
Partial pressure exerted by each
gas in a mixture= total pressure X
the fractional composition of this
gas in the mixture
The diaphragm is responsible for 75% of the air entering the lungs and the external intercostal muscles are
responsible for the remaining 25%.
EXHALATION
Conversely, decreasing the volume of the lungs will increase the air pressure in
the lungs, and air flows out. During exhalation, the lungs revert back to their
original size, pressure in the lungs rises compared to atmospheric pressure, and
air moves out. This deflation of the lungs is due to relaxation of the muscles of
inhalation. During quiet breathing, this passive process results from the elastic
recoil of the lungs and the inward pull of surface tension. Exhalation can also
become an active process. During forceful breathing, for example when
exercising, the abdominal and internal intercostal muscles contract. As they
contract, they decrease the volume of the abdominal region and thoracic cavity,
which increases the pressure in the lungs, causing air to flow out faster.
Respiration metabolic functions:
It can be further divided into the inspiratory area, also known as the dorsal
respiratory group or DRG, and expiratory area, also known as the ventral
respiratory group or VRG.
ction The medullary rhythmicity area is responsible for sending inhibitory and
stimulatory impulses to the muscles of respiration to regulate breathing
rhythm.
Function
The apneustic area constantly transmits
stimulatory nerve impulses to the
inspiratory area of the medullary
rhythmicity area, which if left alone, would
cause prolonged, deep inhalations.
However, when active, the pneumotaxic
area overrides the action of the apneustic
area and prevents over-inflation of the
lungs.
Regulation of respiration- central chemoreceptors
Sensory signals from the trachea, bronchi, larynx and bronchioles are sent to
the medulla via the vagus nerve
PROCESS involves:
1.Rapid inspiration of large amount of air
2.Closure of the epiglottis and vocal cords, trapping the inspired air
3. Forceful contraction of abdominal and internal intercostals, pushing against
the diaphragm, therefore raising the inter-alveolar pressure
4. The result is a rapid and forceful opening of the epiglottis and vocal cords,
releasing the entrapped air to the outside; removal of foreign matter presently
lodging in the trachea and bronchi
Sneeze Reflex
Sensory signals from the nasal passages are sent to the medulla
via the CN V
Uvula is depressed
Residual volume
Residual volume refers to the volume of air
that remains in the alveoli after a forced
expiration.