The document provides an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system. It describes the major structures involved, including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs and pleurae. It explains the functions of these structures like warming, filtering and humidifying air in the nose, routing air and food in the larynx, and gas exchange in the alveoli. Additionally, it covers topics like breathing mechanics, pulmonary circulation, and assessment of the respiratory system.

1. Anatomy and physiology
of Respiratory System.
prepara on
By
Aymen Nassr Alhasny

2. Anatomy of the Respiratory
System
• The Nose
• The Pharynx
• The Larynx
• The Trachea
and Bronchi
• The Lungs
• The Pleurae

3. The Nose
The nose has several func ons: it warms,
cleanses, and humidifies inhaled air; it
detects odors in the airstream;and it serves
as a resona ng chamber that amplifies the
voice
Nose
Begin respiratory system
Filter dust and warm air
Air entering
Contain olfactory receptors for sense of
smell
Sinuses
Openings in facial bones
Lighten skull
Assist in speech
Produce mucus

4. The Pharynx
•
•
•
•
•
The pharynx is a muscular funnel
extending about 13 cm (5 in.)
from the choanae to the larynx.
It has three regions: the
nasopharynx, oropharynx, and
laryngopharynx
Nasopharynx: behind nose and
above the level of so palate
Oropharynx: extends so palate
to the hyoid bone
Laryngopharynx: reaches from the
hyoid bone to the lower border of
the cricoid car lage

5. The Larynx
•
•
•
•
•
The larynx (LAIR-inks), or
“voicebox”
is a car laginous chamber
about 4 cm (1.5 in.) long. Its
primary func on is to keep
food and drink out of the
airway,
but it has evolved the
addi onal role of producing
sound.
Connects laryngopharynx to
trachea
Routes air and food to
proper passageway

6. The Trachea and Bronchi





The trachea is a rigid tube
about 12 cm (4.5 in.) long and 2.5 cm (1 in.) in diameter,
lying anterior to the esophagus It is supported
by 16 to 20 C-shaped rings of hyaline car lage,
.the car lage rings reinforce the trachea and keep it from
collapsing when you inhale. The open part of the C faces
posteriorly, where it is spanned by a smooth muscle,
The gap in the C allows the esophagus to expand as
swallowed food passes by.
The trachealis muscles can contract or relax to adjust
tracheal airflow. ,
the trachea branches into the right and le primary
bronchi, which supply the lungs.

7. The Trachea and Bronchi
: from lower part of the larynx
to the upper border of the fi h
thoracic vertebra

8. The Lungs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The lung receives the bronchus, blood vessels, lympha c
vessels, and nerves through its hilum, a slit in the
medias nal surface . These structures entering the hilum
cons tute the root of the lung.
Because the heart lts to the le , the le lung is a li le
smaller than the right and has an indenta on called the
cardiac impression to accommodate it. The le lung has a
superior lobe and an inferior lobe with a deep fissure
between them; the right lung, by contrast, has three
lobes—superior, middle, and inferior—separated by two
fissures.

10. The Bronchial Tree
•
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•
•
•
•
•
The lung has a spongy parenchyma containing the bronchial
tree a highly branched system of air tubes extending from
the primary bronchus to about 65,000 terminal bronchioles.
Two primary bronchi
secondary bronchus for each pulmonary lobe. Thus, there
are two secondary bronchi in the le lung and three in the
right
ter ary bronchi—10 in the right lung and 8 in the le
Bronchioles Each bronchiole divides into 50 to 80 terminal
bronchioles
Each terminal bronchiole gives off two or more smaller
respiratory bronchioles
Each divides into 2 to 10 elongated, thin-walled passages
called alveolar ducts that end in alveolar sacs,

11. The Bronchial Tree

12. Alveoli

13. The Pleurae
The surface of the lung is covered by a serous membrane,
the visceral pleura , which extends into the
fissures. At the hilum, the visceral pleura turns back on
itself and forms the parietal pleura, which adheres to
the medias num, superior surface of the diaphragm, and
inner surface of the rib cage An extension of the parietal
pleura
The space between the parietal and visceral pleurae is
called the pleural cavity. The two membranes are
normally separated only by a film of slippery pleural fluid;
but under pathological condi ons this space can fill
with air or liquid.

14. pleural fluid have three
functions:
•
•
•
Reduc on of fric on.Pleural fluid acts as
a lubricant
Crea on of pressure gradient this
assists in infla on of the lungs
Compartmentaliza on

15. Accessory muscles for
breathing
•
•
•
•
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Sternocleido mastoid muscles
External intercostal muscles
Internal intercostal muscles
Diaghragm
Pectoralis muscles

16. Inspiration
Lasts 1–1.5 seconds
Diaphragm contracts and fla ens
Intercostal muscles contract
Increases size of chest cavity
Lungs stretch and volume increases
Pressure in lungs slightly less than atmospheric
Causes air to rush in

17. Expiration
Lasts 2 to 3
seconds Passive
Muscles relax
Diaphragm rises
Ribs descend
Lungs recoil
Pressure in chest cavity
increases (compressing
alveoli)
Pressure in lungs higher than
atmospheric causes gases to
flow out of the lungs

18. Factors Affecting Respiration
•
•
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•
Respiratory center of the brain
Chemoreceptors in the brain, aor c arch, and
caro d arteries
Airway resistance
Compliance
Elas city
Surface tension of alveoli

19. Assessment
Subjec ve
Current complaint or exis ng condi on
Onset or dura on of symptoms
Nasal conges on, nosebleeds
Sore throat, difficulty swallowing
Changes in voice quality
Difficulty breathing, orthopnea
Pain on breathing

20. Assessment
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Subjec ve
Presence of cough frequency, dura on, produc ve
or unproduc ve
Sputum amount, color, and consistency
Exposure to infec ons (colds or influenza)
History of chronic lung condi ons
Occupa onal exposure to chemicals, smoke,
asbestos

21. Assessment
•
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•
Subjec ve
History of previous respiratory problems
Allergies to medica on or environmental allergens
Use of tobacco, chewing tobacco, marijuana,
cocaine, injected drugs, and alcohol

22. Assessment
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Objec ve
Assess state of health
Color
Ease of breathing
Note respiratory rate and pa ern
Observe nasal flaring
Use of accessory muscles for breathing
Listen for hoarseness in client’s speech

23. Assessment
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•
•
•
•
Objec ve
Inspect mucosa of nose, mouth, and oropharynx
Inspect neck, posi on of trachea
Inspect anterior/posterior diameter of chest
Palpate lips for nodules, chest for tenderness or
swelling

24. Assessment
•
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•
Objec ve
Auscultate breath sounds, note absence or
presence and quality
Note adven ous breath sounds (wheezing or
crackles)

25. Rib cage and intercostal
muscles
•
•
•
Protect lungs
12 pairs ribs
Intercostal muscles are between ribs
Assist with process of breathing

26. Pulmonary circulation
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Pulmonary arteries
Pulmonary veins
Pulmonary capillary network

27. Assessment

29. The end
Thank you
Saladin: Anatomy &
Physiology: The Unity of
Form and Func on, Third
Edi on
22. The Respiratory System
www.mhhe.com/saladin3
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