Respiratory
Functions:
The respiratory system’s function is the process in which oxygen is
taken up into the lungs where it is absorbed into the bloodstream and taken to
the cells of the body. Erythrocytes are the primary carriers of oxygen to the
cells and tissues of the body. The cells then release carbon dioxide, and
waste carbon dioxide is carried to the lungs to be discharged.
Major parts and organs:
Some of the major parts and organs are the lungs, the bronchus, and
the trachea. The lungs are an organ that allows you to breathe. You have
two lungs, one on each side of you chest. The right lung has three
chambers- the upper lobe, the middle lobe, and the lower lobe. The left lung
only has two chambers- the upper lobe and the lower lobe. The left lung is
smaller than the right lung because there wouldn’t be enough room in the
chest cavity for the heart, if the left lung was full size.
The lungs are connected to the windpipe by a tube called the
bronchus tube. The trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that links your
bronchus to your lungs. There are 16 to 20 c-shaped rings of tough, flexible
material, called cartilage, which surrounds the front and sides of the
windpipe. The inside of your windpipe is lined with sticky mucus, which
traps dust particles, and tiny, hair-like, cilia which beat rhythmically. The cilia
move the dust up to the throat, where it can be coughed up.
Interactions with other systems:
This system interacts with the Circulatory, Nervous, Muscular, and
Skeletal systems. The Circulatory system absorbs the oxygen that you
inhale when you breathe in. It also deposits waste carbon dioxide into the
lungs, where it is exhaled. Part of the Nervous system controls how quickly
and deeply you breathe. Your lungs and diaphragm are made of muscles,
which make the lungs expand and contract from the Muscular system. The
ribcage of the Skeletal system protects the lungs and diaphragm.
Diseases:
Some diseases of the respiratory system are asthma, emphysema,
bronchitis, and whooping cough. Asthma is a chronic disease
characterized by sporadic attacks of shortness of breath, wheezing, and
coughing. Treatment consists of avoiding environmental factors and using
antiasthmatic drugs. Emphysema is an abnormal distention of the lungs with
air with the same symptoms as asthma. Emphysema is treated with
bronchodilator drugs as well as bronchitis. Bronchitis is the inflammation of
all, or part, of the bronchial tree, through which air passes into the lungs.
Whooping cough is a common name applied to an acute, infectious disease
of the respiratory tract, caused by the bacillus hemophilus pertussis. This
disease is characterized in its late stages by a deep cough ending in a peculiar
high-pitched whooping sound. Young children should be quarantined and
treated with antibiotics.