Download Respiratory System Study Guide Unit 6

Respiratory System Study Guide
revised Jan. 2015
Students are responsible for information found in the following resources:
 Diversified Health Occupations Unit 6.10: main resource for test
 “Diseases and Condition: Influenza (flu).” Mayo Clinic
 “Diseases and Conditions: COPD.” Mayo Clinic
 “About Cystic Fibrosis: Frequently Asked Questions.” Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
 “Harms of Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting.” National Cancer Institute
Functions of the Respiratory System
 Taking oxygen into the body
 Removing carbon dioxide from the body
 Produce sound for speech
Structures of the Respiratory System
 Air passages
o Nose
o Pharynx
o Larynx
o Trachea
o Lungs
 Bronchi (singular = bronchus, plural = bronchi)
 Bronchioles
 Alveoli (singular = alveolus, plural = alveoli)
 Other structures
o Nostrils = nares
o Nasal septum
o Nasal cavity
o Sinuses
o Epiglottis
o Cilia
o Pleura
o Diaphragm
Breathing and Respiration
 Breathing
o Ventilation = the process of breathing, moving air into and out of the body
o Inspiration (inhalation) = the process of breathing air in
 Diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract
 Thoracic cavity enlarges, which decreases intrathoracic pressure
 Air rushes in
o Expiration (exhalation) = the process of forcing air out of the lungs and air passages
 Diaphragm and intercostals muscles relax
 Thoracic cavity becomes smaller, which increases pressure
 Air is forced out passively, due to pressure change
 Other muscles can be used for forced expiration, expelling more air
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Respiration = exchange of gasses (oxygen and carbon dioxide)
o Controlled by the respiratory center in the medulla oblongata of the brain
o Increased carbon dioxide or decreased oxygen levels in the blood lead to increased
respiratory rate
o External respiration: gas exchange between lungs and bloodstream
o Internal respiration: gas exchange between bloodstream and tissue cells
o Cellular respiration: cells use oxygen and nutrients to produce energy
“Respiratory Rate” = number of breaths per minute, one of the four vital signs
Breathing is usually involuntary, but can be controlled voluntarily
Diseases and abnormal conditions
 Infections
o Common cold = mild upper respiratory infection
o Influenza (see textbook and handout)
o Pneumonia
o Pleurisy
o Tuberculosis
o Sinusitis
o Rhinitis
o Laryngitis
o Acute bronchitis
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Lung cancer
o Leading cause of cancer death for men and women
o Main cause is exposure to carcinogens in tobacco smoke
o There are different types of lung cancer, with different causes
o All types are hard to detect at the early, most curable stage
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Other
o Asthma
o Chronic bronchitis
o Emphysema
o Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (see textbook and handout)
o Epistaxis
o Dyspnea
o Cystic Fibrosis (see handout):
 Autosomal recessive genetic disease, mutation in gene for CFTR protein
 Abnormal flow of salt and water in and out of cells leads to thick, sticky mucus
in lungs, pancreas, and other organs
 Problems frequently caused by cystic fibrosis:
 Frequent lung infections and inflammation
 Severe lung damage and respiratory failure
 Damage to pancreas, the source of digestive enzymes
 Poor digestion and poor absorption of nutrients
 Poor growth and poor weight gain
o Alph-1 –antitrypsin deficiency (see COPD handout)
 Genetic disorder (co-dominant inheritance) that causes low levels of a protein
called alpha-1-antitrypsin, a protein that helps protect the lungs
 People who have alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency are at increased risk of
developing COPD, even if they do not smoke tobacco
 People who smoke, or are exposed to second-hand smoke, and have alpha-1
antitrypsin deficiency have an increased risk of developing COPD compared to
other smokers
o Harmful effects of tobacco (see handout)
 Cancer
 Smoking causes cancer in the respiratory organs and many other organs
 Smoking is the leading cause of cancer
 Smoking is the leading cause of death from cancer
 Heart disease
 Stroke
 COPD and other lung disease
 Premature birth
 Low birth rate
 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
 Nicotine addiction