Respiratory System 11th Grade Health

Definition

the body system that helps to use the air you breathe

General Purpose

exchange of gases between you and your environment

external respiration – gas exchange between lungs and blood

internal respiration – gas exchange between blood and body cells

cellular respiration – inside the cell itself

Structure

mouth and nose – entry and exit points for gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide

pharynx – throat

larynx – voice box; air moves past two ligaments causing sound

trachea – windpipe; connects mouth/nose to the bronchial tubes

bronchial tubes – two branches from the trachea that lead to each lung

bronchioles – smaller branches that extend from the bronchial tubes further into the lungs

alveoli – small air sacs at the end of the bronchioles; where gas exchange takes place (300 million in the lungs)

lungs – two cone-shaped organs that fill with air during breathing

diaphragm – main muscle used in the breathing; contracts when you inhale and relaxes when you exhale

– respiratory system

– air

– Structure and Function

Care

Avoid smoking

Avoid Second Hand Smoke (in some cases can be worse then smoking itself)

Avoid polluted air

Asthma – avoid asthma triggers such as pet hair, dust and other irritants

Exercise – specifically running, jogging or bicycling (cardio) increases O2 circulation

Respiratory System 11th Grade Health

Problems

bronchitis – inflammation of the bronchial tubes; often caused by a severe cold

pneumonia – infection of an area of the lungs; caused by exposure to sudden changes in temperature, alcoholism or poor nutrition

asthma – condition whereby thick mucous is produced by the bronchioles making it difficult to breathe. This is another type of Auto-Immune disorder.

tuberculosis – disease caused by the development of tubercles or nodules on the lungs

emphysema – causes the alveoli to disintegrate making it difficult for air to pass out of the lungs; condition cannot be reversed; smoking is a major cause

lung cancer– abnormal growth of cells in the lungs , 2nd Leading cause of cancer deaths.

First Aid

Choking/Heimlich Maneuver – forces air out of the lungs in order to push out an object that is blocking the airway (for a standing, conscious victim).

Abdominal Thrusts– same principle as the Heimlich, but for an unconscious victim lying on their back. This is taught by AHA – American Heart Association

Rescue Breathing – requires breathing for the victim while the victim’s heart continues to beat.

First Aid Procedures – 3 C’s: Check – Call – Care

Check ABCs (first aid emergency basics)

  • Airway, Breathing, Circulation

Relation to Other Systems

Circulatory – heart pumps blood through the lungs; blood carries O2 to all body cells

Excretory – release CO2 out of the body through the nose and mouth

Muscular – diaphragm enables us to inhale/exhale