Review of lungs anatomy and physiology- Easy explanation for students Introduction Anatomy Air movement through Lungs Physiology of Respiration Assessment of Respiratory System

2. ANATOMIC AND
PHYSIOLOGIC OVERVIEW
OF RESPIRATION
SWATILEKHA DAS
ASST PROFESSOR
BSN(RN & RM) MSN

3. INTRODUCTION
The basic human need is to be able to maintain
normal or desirable respiration. Anatomically
respiratory system includes (top to bottom) nasal
cavity, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi.
Physiologically respiratory system enables gaseous
exchange and thus maintains acid base balance.

5. ANATOMY OF
RESPIRATION
The lungs are a pair of spongy, air-filled organs
located on either side of the chest (thorax).
The trachea (windpipe) conducts inhaled air into
the lungs through its tubular branches,
called bronchi. The bronchi then divide into
smaller and smaller branches (bronchioles), finally
becoming microscopic.
1. Upper respiratory tract
2. Lower respiratory tract

6. AIR
MOVEMENT
THROUGH
LUNGS

7. PHYSIOLOGY OF RESPIRATION
How breathing takes place is referred as mechanism of respiration. The air inhaled into the lungs
by this mechanism of respiration is the source of supply of oxygen for the body tissues.
There is a gaseous exchange that takes place between the blood capillaries and the alveoli
within the lungs- referred as external respiration , and there is a gaseous exchange i.e. of oxygen
and carbon dioxide at the tissue cellular level- referred as internal respiration.

8. ASSESSMENT OF RESPIRATORY FUNCTION
Careful assessment and monitoring of respiratory status of a critically
ill patient is of utmost importance for prompt decision making
regarding necessary respiratory support e.g. endotracheal intubation
, tracheostomy , initiation of mechanical ventilation or weaning from
mechanical ventilation.
1. Health history
2. Physical assessment
3. Laboratory findings

9. 1. Health history
❑It is difficult to obtain complete health history from the critically ill patient on admission.
❑Some history may be obtained from relatives or from previous health records.
❑Complete health history includes the following-
▪History of present illness
▪Past respiratory history e.g. COPD, tuberculosis, pneumonia etc
▪Past surgical history related to lungs and thorax
▪History of medication

10. ▪Allergies
▪History of smoking
▪Family history of respiratory problems
▪Chief respiratory symptoms e.g.
✓Breathlessness
✓Cough
✓Sputum production
✓Hemoptysis
✓Chest pain

11. PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT

12. 1. Inspection
GENERAL – level of consciousness , nutritional status, skin turgor, musculoskeletal development,
position of the patient , ability to speak, hoarseness of voice
EXTREMITIES – Edema, peripheral cyanosis, clubbing
HEAD & NECK- Types of breathing rate, pattern of breathing, I & E ratio, central cyanosis,
tracheal position, use of accessory muscles of shoulder and neck
THORAX- Rate and pattern of breathing e.g. tachypnea, bradypnea, apnea, Cheyne-stroke,
kussmauls etc

13. 2. PALPATION
❑ Palpation of anterolateral and posterolateral chest is done to identify areas of tenderness,
masses and inflammation.
❑Palpation of ribs and costal margin is undertaken for assessment of symmetry, motility ,
tenderness and vertebral position.
❑Neck area is palpated to assess position of trachea and presence of subcutaneous emphysema.

14. 3. PERCUSSION
❑ A technique performed to evaluate the density of the lung tissue.
❑Undertaken to aid in determining whether the underlying tissues are air filled , fluid filled or
solid.

15. 4. AUSCULTATION
It is the art of listening to the
sounds produced within the
airway with the help of
stethoscope.
It is used to detect normal
breath sounds e.g. bronchial
, broncho-vesicular and
vesicular and abnormal lung
sounds.

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