The respiratory system is one that is responsible for supplying the oxygen required by the body, fulfilling the function of discarding the carbon dioxide that is produced in the body's cells when carrying out the process of respiration. This process takes place in the body automatically and involuntarily, where air is inhaled and oxygen is removed from it, discarding gases that are not necessary along with inhaled air.
What is the respiratory system
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It is the system through which living beings obtain oxygen for the body, as well as expel the carbon dioxide generated by respiration. The organs of the respiratory system are the nose, pharynx, diaphragm, bronchi, lungs, larynx and trachea, among others.
The etymology of the word "respiratory" has its origin in Latin. It is made up of re, which means "intensity" or "repetition"; spirare, which means "to blow"; and –orio, which means “preference”. Altogether, it is allusive to blowing repeatedly.
The anatomy of the respiratory system can be different depending on the type of organism where it is found (simple or complex). In unicellular (simple) organisms such as jellyfish, respiration occurs through a cell membrane, that is, through diffusion (an irreversible physical process) in conjunction with the mitochondria. On the other hand, the anatomy of the respiratory system in complex organisms such as insects, air is sent directly through tracheae; fish extract oxygen from the water through gills or gills.
The respiratory system for children can be explained to them through a model of the respiratory system, where the organs that compose it are indicated; also, with images of the respiratory system illustrating its anatomy.
Function of the respiratory system
It is a characteristic biological process of living beings, in fact, it is thanks to this action that an exchange can be made between carbon dioxide for oxygen, this makes the body able to stand. The respiratory system has five main functions, which are:
- The exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood through the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries. This oxygen combines with the hemoglobin molecules, being transported by the bloodstream, at the same time that carbon dioxide is returned through the capillaries to the alveoli, expelled by exhalation.
- Gases are also exchanged from the bloodstream to the body tissues. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs in the torrent to the capillaries, releasing it, and carbon dioxide from the tissues is sent to the red blood cells, taking it back to the lungs to be eliminated.
- Creation of sounds passing through the vocal cords, completing the vocalization system. The flow of air through them causes them to vibrate and produce sounds.
- It plays an important role in the perception of odors, since in the air there are chemical substances that are introduced through the nose, which will be interpreted by the brain.
Parts of the respiratory system
A diagram of the respiratory system is defined and detailed below.
Nose
This is one of the organs of the respiratory system and it is a structure with cartilage that is made up of two tubes called nostrils. Its functions are to exercise a fundamental part of the breathing system (inhale and exhale) and perform the perception of smells (which also influences the perception of flavors), and they do so through said nostrils. Depending on the species, it will conduct air or water that will carry oxygen to the system and the body.
This has a structure that is composed of the nasal pyramid, which is a structure with a cartilaginous bone skeleton, based on the frontal bone, it has dilator muscles; and the nostrils, which have a mucosa that humidifies the air. In addition to humans, animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals also have nasal cavities.
Pharynx
It is a tubular structure that is located behind the nasal cavity, located in the neck, connecting the oral cavity with the esophagus. The function of this is that both food and air pass through it, reaching the stomach and lungs, respectively.
This is made up of the nasopharynx, which is the part of the pharynx that is perennially open to give way to air and is the one that communicates the nose with the mouth; the oropharynx, which is located between the pharyngeal inlet and the epiglottis, the air that is breathed through the mouth normally passes through there or when the person coughs, it remains between the soft palate and the root of the tongue; and through the laryngopharynx, which is the part shared by the respiratory and digestive tracts, and saliva and breast milk can pass through it without activating swallowing movements.
Windpipe
It is a part of the cylindrical system with cartilage, located between the larynx and the bronchi, organs to which the trachea gives rise. Its function is to have an open path between the lungs and the larynx for the passage of air.
This is characterized by being striated and rough, with cartilage, has hyaline cartilage arches, smooth muscle, can stretch up to 50% thanks to its fibers, is located next to the esophagus and presents the tracheal carina in the last cartilage, which makes that the trachea bifurcate into the bronchi.
Epiglottis
This is an organ found in the larynx, its function being to interrupt the path of the food bolus to the trachea when food is ingested, in addition, it allows the passage of it into the esophagus.
This is characterized by being humid; with cartilage; it has some pyriform recesses that allow the food to slide; During swallowing, it is deformed back to allow it to pass and then returns to its original position and shape. The epiglottis is of utmost importance, since without its function, a living being can suffocate when feeding.
Larynx
It is the upper part of the trachea, joining the latter with the pharynx, being a tube-shaped organ that is responsible for phonation, since there are the false vocal cords (vestibular folds) and false (vocal folds). Its function is to form the voice and to move the air towards the trachea.
It is made up of 9 cartilages, of which three are even and three are odd; has muscles; their cartilages have joints, they are mucous and muscular; It has three parts called bellows, reed and resonance apparatus; and protects the airway while the living being feeds.
Bronchus
They are two cylindrical shaped organs located at the beginning of the lungs, which are mainly made up of cartilage and fiber. Its function is to separate and lead air from the trachea to the bronchioles, which are small tubes in the lungs.
The bronchi have ramifications; it has muscles and mucosa; the right bronchus enters the right lung and two branches emerge from it, one for the middle lobe and the other superior; the left bronchus enters the left lung, branching out into the upper lobe.
Lungs
It is a pair of organs that are an important part of this system, located in the chest in the rib cage. Its function is to exchange gases with the blood, a process that is possible thanks to the difference in pressure of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the alveoli and blood; filter external contamination; and metabolize drugs.
These are characterized by being of different sizes, which means that the right lung is larger than the left, since the heart is located on this side; in addition, it has three faces, which are called diaphragmatic, costal and medianistic; it is divided by the mediastinum; It is covered by the pleura, which is a membrane that contains serum.
Bronchioles
These are small tubes found inside the lungs, which connect the bronchi with the alveoli (small air sacs). Their function is to transport oxygen to the alveoli, which in turn will return carbon dioxide to be expelled.
These are conduits in the form of tubes; it is not made up of cartilage; its wall is made up of smooth muscles; each lung has about 30 thousand bronchioles and their respective alveoli; its diameter is 0.5 millimeters.
Intercostal muscles
These are the muscles between the ribs, which, during the breathing process, shrink causing the rib cage to rise, widening the thorax while the lungs fill with air. This is made up of the fundus intercostal, the middle intercostal and the intimate intercostal. Its function is to increase or reduce the thoracic diameter.
Diaphragm
It is a muscle that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavity, which allows movement of the bowels and is in the process of inspiration. Its function is to act as the motor of respiration, contracting when inspiration occurs and relaxing during exhalation.
It is made up of the sternal portion, the costal portion, and the lumbar portion. These are coupled at the phrenic center.
Diseases of the respiratory system
There are various conditions and complications in the respiratory system that can lead to different diseases. Here are some of the most common respiratory illnesses:
Common cold
This can be caused by various viruses, approximately 200 (among them, the rhinovirus); being able to be spread from one person to another by contact; have low defenses; or the seasons of the year when temperatures are lower.
Its symptoms are nasal congestion, sneezing, phlegm, high temperatures, cough, headache, chills, general malaise, muscle aches, or throat irritation. These usually go away within two weeks or less.
Rhinitis
It is a respiratory condition characterized by symptoms such as sneezing; itchy nose, eyes, and skin; crying eyes; nasal congestion and limitations in the sense of smell; rhinorrhea; cough; sore throat; headache; among others.
Allergic rhinitis can be caused by an allergen or substance that causes an allergy, such as pollen; While there is no known cause for non-allergic rhinitis, however, some triggers can be weather changes, some foods, medications, infections, sleep apnea, or hormonal changes.
Pharyngitis
It is a condition that consists of inflammation of the throat or the mucosa of the pharynx. Its symptoms range from difficulty in eating, inflammation of the tonsils, hoarseness, fever, viral infections, occasionally bacterial infections, allergic reactions, headache, muscle aches. This is caused by the same viruses as the common colds, flu, mononucleosis, measles, and chicken pox.
Tonsillitis
It is the inflammation of the tonsils, located in the back of the throat, where cells that create antibodies are found. This disease presents red and inflamed tonsils, which may present a layer of whitish tissue; pain when ingesting food or drink, and even saliva; high temperatures; tremors and chills; bad breath; among others.
The causes lie in some viruses or bacteria, such as Streptococcus pyogenes, among others. Because the tonsils are the first to defend the body from infection, they are more likely to become infected.
Sinusitis
It is the inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the paranasal sinuses, which are air-filled cavities located in the skull, specifically behind the eyes, the bones of the nose, the cheeks and the forehead. This is caused by an infection caused by a fungus, a virus or some bacteria; the deviation of the septum; or allergies and colds.
Symptoms of this disease are shortness of breath, nasal congestion, sinus pain, bad breath, fever, headache, facial sensitivity, general malaise, and cough.
Bronchitis
This disease consists of inflammation of the airways to the lungs, which causes difficulty in breathing. Its causes can range from an infection by bacteria or a virus, to a condition accompanied by the flu.
Its symptoms are inflammation of the walls of the bronchi; alveoli are obstructed; cough with sputum; breathing becomes difficult; discomfort throughout the body; exhaustion; fever and chills; among others. When it comes to a chronic stage of the disease, there can also be swelling in the legs, an increased risk of getting the flu, and the lips turn blue from receiving little blood oxygenation.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name of this disease of the respiratory system in English, it is the most common of its kind and it presents as a difficulty in breathing normally. This arises mainly from chronic bronchitis (presenting cough with sputum) and emphysema (which deteriorates the lungs over time). It originates due to the consumption of tobacco, which will make a person more prone to contracting COPD, although passive smokers and those who are in a work environment with exposure to smoke also present risks.
Its symptoms are a cough that can be dry or with phlegm; exhaustion; wheezing or whistling when you breathe; difficulty breathing and breathing in air; numerous respiratory infections; feeling of tight chest; blue coloration on the lips; among others.
Asthma
It is a chronic disease that causes narrowing and inflammation of the airways, making it difficult for the person to breathe. This is triggered when there is the presence of an element that causes allergies in the person, such as animal hair, dust mites, stress, certain physical activities, mold, changes in temperature, among others.
Symptoms include dry or phlegmatic cough, chest pressure from muscle tension, difficulty in breathing and speaking, wheezing, pain from pressure on the chest, bluish skin, increased heart rate.
Tuberculosis
It is a contagious disease of bacteriological origin, which is triggered by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which focuses on the direct attack on the lungs, although it can also do so with the rest of the body.
Its symptoms are a strong cough with blood that can last up to three weeks, weight loss due to loss of appetite, sweating at night, fever, chills, exhaustion, pressure in the chest.
Pneumonia
This is an infection of the air sacs found in the lungs, which, due to this infection, may fill with pus or fluid. Pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi, with children, the elderly over 65 years of age, or people with weakened immune systems being more vulnerable.
Its symptoms are accompanied by a purulent or phlegm cough, fever, tremors, fatigue, pressure in the thoracic area, low temperatures, nausea and vomiting, among others.
Cancer
Among the respiratory diseases that can develop from various causes, is cancer. Cancer in the lungs, a malignant mesothelioma or thymoma and thymic carcinoma can develop. Symptoms are coughing up blood, difficulty breathing and swallowing, chest pain, shortness of breath, headache, and hoarseness.
Mesothelioma is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the pleura (lining of the lungs and thoracic cavity) or the peritoneum and can occur when the person is in contact with asbestos; and thymoma and thymic carcinoma (tumors on the surface of the thymus).
Cystic fibrosis
This disease is the accumulation of very viscous phlegm in the lungs and other parts of the body, which most commonly affects young people and children, being a disease that can lead to death. This type of disease is inherited through a gene that secretes more viscous mucus, which accumulates in the pancreas and airways.
Its symptoms in newborns are growth retardation, they cannot increase their weight like a normal child, they cannot defecate in their first hours of life, mucus in their stools; while in older and younger children, abdominal pain from constipation, distended abdomen, nausea, exhaustion, stuffy nose, periodic pneumonia, pain; in the long term it can trigger sterility, pancreatitis and malformation of the fingers.
Respiratory system care
To take care of the respiratory system, daily preventive care should be taken, which can be:
- Keep your hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and water. The antibacterial gel is also a good ally.
- Perform exercises, enough sleep, avoid eating snuff and grooming care.
- Eat a healthy diet and drink enough fluids, especially citrus juices high in vitamin C.
- Disinfect common environments, such as desks, tables, telephones, computers, among others.
- In the case of already being ill, cough and sneeze into a tissue to avoid the expulsion and proliferation of germs.
- Avoid contact with other sick people; or, in the case of being ill, avoid contact to protect third parties and rest.
