Download What is the respiratory system

What is the respiratory system?
Your respiratory system is made up of the
organs in your body that help you to
breathe. Remember, that Respiration =
Breathing. The goal of breathing is to
deliver oxygen to the body and to take
away carbon dioxide.
Parts of the respiratory system
Lungs
The lungs are the main organs of the
respiratory system. In the lungs oxygen is
taken into the body and carbon dioxide is
breathed out. The red blood cells are
responsible for picking up the oxygen in the
lungs and carrying the oxygen to all the
body cells that need it. The red blood cells
drop off the oxygen to the body cells, then
pick up the carbon dioxide which is a waste
gas product produced by our cells. The red
blood cells transport the carbon dioxide
back to the lungs and we breathe it out
when we exhale.
Trachea
The trachea (TRAY-kee-uh} is sometimes called the windpipe. The
trachea filters the air we breathe and branches into the bronchi.
Bronchi
The bronchi (BRAHN-ky) are two air tubes that branch off of the
trachea and carry air directly into the lungs.
Diaphragm
Breathing starts with a dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of the
lungs called the diaphragm (DY-uh-fram). When you breathe in, the
diaphragm contracts. When it contracts it flattens out and pulls
downward. This movement enlarges the space that the lungs are in.
This larger space pulls air into the lungs. When you breathe out, the
diaphragm expands reducing the amount of space for the lungs and
forcing air out. The diaphragm is the main muscle used in breathing.
Why Do I Yawn?
When you are sleepy or drowsy the lungs do not take enough oxygen
from the air. This causes a shortage of oxygen in our bodies. The
brain senses this shortage of oxygen and sends a message that
causes you to take a deep long breath---a YAWN.
Why Do I Sneeze?
Sneezing is like a cough in the upper breathing passages. It is the
body's way of removing an irritant from the sensitive mucous
membranes of the nose. Many things can irritate the mucous
membranes. Dust, pollen, pepper or even a cold blast of air are just
some of the many things that may cause you to sneeze.
What Causes Hiccups?
Hiccups are the sudden movements of the diaphragm. It is
involuntary --- you have no control over hiccups, as you well know.
There are many causes of hiccups. The diaphragm may get irritated,
you may have eaten to fast, or maybe some substance in the blood
could even have brought on the hiccups.