Respiratory System

After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

Name the parts of the respiratory system and discuss the function of each part.

Objectives

Define combining forms used in building words that relate to the respiratory system and its parts.
Identify the meaning of related abbreviations.

Name the common diagnoses, clinical procedures, and laboratory tests used in treating disorders of the respiratory system. List and define the major pathological conditions of the respiratory system.

Objectives Part 2

Explain the meaning of the surgical terms related to the respiratory system.

Structure and Function

The respiratory system performs two major tasks: Exchanging air between the body and the outside environment known as external

respiration

Bringing oxygen to the cells and removing carbon dioxide from them referred to as

internal respiration

External Respiration

External Respiration

Air from the outside environment enters the nose or mouth during inspiration (inhalation). The Nose Also called external nares Divided into two halves by the nasal septum Contains the paranasal sinuses where air is warmed Contains cilia which is responsible for filtering out foreign bodies
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Pharynx

Pharynx
Three Sections of the Pharynx

Also known as the throat is a passageway for both air and food

Nasopharynx
-contains the pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids) which aid in the bodys immune defense

Oropharynx
-back portion of the mouth that contains the palatine tonsils which aid in the bodys immune defense

Laryngopharynx
-bottom section of the pharynx where the respiratory tract 6 divides into the esophagus and the larynx

The epiglottis, a movable flap of cartilage that covers the opening to the larynx (voice box) prevents food from entering the larynx during swallowing.
Occasionally, a person may swallow and inhale at the same time so some food may enter the larynx and choking occurs. A technique called the Heimlich maneuver has saved many people from choking to death.

Epiglottis

Larynx

Larynx
Vocal Cords
Posterior Portion of Tongue False Vocal Cords True Vocal Cords

Serves as a passageway to the trachea and the area where sounds are produced

Size and thickness determine the pitch of sound Short and thin = high pitch
Thick and long = low pitch

Glottis

Trachea

trachea

Trachea

larynx

Also known as the

windpipe

Connects the larynx to the right and left bronchi Point at which it divides into the right and left bronchi is called the mediastinum
bronchi
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Internal Respiration

Internal Respiration

Air from the bronchi travels to the bronchioles then to the tiny air sacs (alveoli) which connect to lung capillaries. Oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged and oxygen is delivered to the body cells.
alveolus capillaries

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Lungs

Lungs

Consist of a right and left lobe

Covered by a double layer of membrane that makes movement in the thoracic cavity easier. The outer layer is the parietal pleura and the inner layer is the visceral pleura The space between the two pleurae is called the pleural cavity Consist of an apex (top section), hilum (middle section) and base (lower section)
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Inhale/Exhale
The passage of air from the external environment to the lung capillaries, bloodstream and out consists of one inhalation and one exhalation.

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Muscles for Breathing

Muscles for Breathing

Pharynx Larynx Trachea (windpipe) Right and left bronchi

The major Bronchioles muscles that Alveoli contract to enlarge the thoracic cavity during inspiration Lungs are the: Diaphragm Intercostal muscles
Note: The diaphragm lowers itself when it contracts during inhalation

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Combining Forms & Combining Form Meaning Abbreviations adenoid; gland [adenoid(o)] adenoid (o)
alveol (o) bronch (o) bronchiol (o) capn (o) epiglott (o) laryng (o) alveolus bronchus bronchiole carbon dioxide epiglottis larynx

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Combining Forms & Combining Form Meaning Abbreviations [lob(o)]the lung lob (o) lobe of
mediastin (o) nas (o) or (o) ox (o) pharyng (o) phon (o) mediastinum nose mouth oxygen pharynx voice, sound
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Combining Forms & Meaning Abbreviations [phren(o)] phren(o) diaphragm

Combining Form pleur(o) pneum (o) rhin (o) spir (o) steth (o) thorac (o) pleura air nose breathing chest thorax
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Combining Forms & Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviations [ABG]

ABG AFB A&P AP ARD ARDS ARF arterial blood gas acid-fast bacillus auscultation and percussion anteroposterior acute respiratory disease adult respiratory distress syndrome acute respiratory failure17

Combining Forms & Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviations [BS] BS

breath sounds

COLD COPD CPR CTA CXR DOE

chronic obstructive lung disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

cardiopulmonary resuscitation
clear to auscultation

chest x-ray
dyspnea on exertion
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Combining Forms & Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviations [DPT] tetanus DPT diptheria,pertussis,
ENT ET tube FEF FEV FVC HBOT
ear, nose and throat endotracheal intubation tube forced expiratory flow forced expiratory volume forced vital capacity hyperbaric oxygen therapy
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Abbreviation IMV IPPB IRDS IRV LLL LUL MBC

Combining Forms & Meaning Abbreviations [IMV] intermittent mandatory

ventilation intermittent positive pressure breathing infant respiratory distress syndrome

inspiratory reserve volume

left lower lobe left upper lobe maximal breathing capacity

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Combining Forms & Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviations [MDI] MDI metered dose inhaler
PA PCP PEEP PFT PND RD
posteroanterior pneumocystis carinii pneumonia positive end expiratory pressure pulmonary function tests paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea; postnasal drip respiratory disease
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Abbreviation RDS RLL RUL SIDS SOB T&A TB

Combining Forms & Meaning Abbreviations [RDS] respiratory distress syndrome

right lower lobe right upper lobe sudden infant death syndrome shortness of breath tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy tuberculosis
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Abbreviation TLC TPR URI VC V/Q scan

Combining Forms & Meaning Abbreviations [TLC] total lung capacity

temperature, pulse, and respirations upper respiratory infection vital capacity ventilation/perfusion scan

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Methods Used to Diagnose Respiratory Disorders: Auscultation

Diagnostic, Procedural & Laboratory Tests

Assessing respiratory rate

Percussion
Sputum analysis

Normal Adult respiratory rate is 15 to 20 respirations per minute.

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Pulmonary Function Tests

Pulmonary function tests measure the mechanics of breathing. Peak flow meter
measures the capacity for breathing

Spirometer
a pulmonary function testing machine that measures the lungs volume and capacity

Forced Vital Capacity

Highest breathing capacity following the deepest breath

Forced Expiratory Volume

Shows breathing capacity at different parts of the respiratory cycle
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Abnormalities/Masses
Abnormalities such as masses and restricted blood flow within the lungs can be detected via: Chest x-rays MRI Lung scans

Structures of the respiratory system can be observed via: Endoscopy Bronchoscopy

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Laboratory Tests

Laboratory Tests

Throat Cultures
Sputum Sample

Arterial Blood Gases Sweat Test

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adenoiditis

Pathology
bronchitis Inflammatory

epiglottitis

laryngitis

Conditions

pharyngitis
pneumonitis sinusitis

rhinitis tonsillitis

laryngotracheobronchitis

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eupnea bradypnea tachypnea hypopnea

Breathing Patterns
Breathing Patterns

hyperpnea

dyspnea
apnea Other Conditions
Cheyne Stokes Respiration Hyperventilation Hypoxemia
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orthopnea

Upper RespiratoryaInfection Upper respiratory infection is term that

covers an infection of some or all of the respiratory tract.

Other Conditions:

Croup Diptheria

Epistaxis Rhinorrhea

Pertussis
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Chronic Obstructive Disease Disease (COPD) is Pulmonary

Emphysema Chronic Bronchitis
Asthma causes narrowing of the bronchi leading to dyspnea, wheezing and coughing.

a term for any disease with chronic obstruction of the bronchial tubes and lungs such as:

Normal bronchiole

Asthmatic bronchiole, showing constriction

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Hemoptysis

Hemoptysis

Lung or bronchial hemorrhage that results in the spitting of blood.

Cystic Fibrosis
Disease of the exocrine glands that causes secretion of abnormally thick mucus which leads to chronic obstruction.

Atelectasis
Collapsed alveoli leading to collapse of a lung or part of a lung.

Pneumonia
Acute infection of the alveoli.
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Conditions caused by environmental agents Pneumoconiosis

Anthracosis
Caused by coal dust Caused by dust in the lungs

Environmental Conditions

Asbestosis
Caused by asbestos particles released during construction of ships and buildings

Silicosis

Caused by the silica dust from grinding rocks or glass

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Disorders of the Pleura

Disorders of the Pleura

Pneumothorax
Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity.

Empyema
Pus in the pleural cavity.

Hemothorax
Blood in the pleural cavity.

Pleural Effusion
Escape of fluid into the pleural cavity.
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Otorhinolaryngologists are physicians that specialize in disorders of the upper respiratory tract.

Otorhinolaryngologists

Surgical Removal Conditions

Tonsillectomy
Adenoidectomy Lobectomy

Laryngectomy
Pneumonectomy
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bronchoplasty

Surgical Repair
Surgical Repair

laryngoplasty

rhinoplasty tracheoplasty

septoplasty

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Surgical Incisions

Surgical Incisions

Laryngotracheotomy Sinusotomy Thoracotomy Tracheotomy

Tracheostomy tube

Endotracheal intubation is the insertion of a tube through the nose or mouth, pharynx, larynx and into the trachea to establish an 37 airway.

Pharmacology
Antibiotics, antihistamines and anticoagulants are used for respiratory disorders just as with other system disorders.

Medications specific to Respiratory Conditions: Bronchodilators

Dilate the bronchial walls

Expectorants
Promote coughing and expulsion of mucus
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Mechanical Devices that aid in Respiration

Ventilators
Actually serve as a breathing substitute for patients who can not breathe on their own.

Mechanical Devices

Nebulizers
Deliver medication through the mouth or nose to ease breathing problems
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Agents to Treat Respiratory Agents Used to Treat Respiratory Conditions Conditions

Antitussive
(relieves coughing)

Expectorants

Decongestants
(decreases and prevents mucus buildup)

(promotes coughing and expelling of mucus)

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Identify the following respiratory structures: A. Trachea B. Bronchi

Apply Your Knowledge

C. Alveolus

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An obstruction in which of the following would be MOST fatal?

Apply Your Knowledge Part 2

A. BRONCHIOLE
B. TRACHEA

C. BRONCHI

Answer: B. Trachea
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Mr. Davis has had hoarseness for the past six months. He recently went to his physician and received a diagnosis of cancer of his voice box. Which of the following procedures might be indicated for Mr. Davis? A. Pharyngectomy

Apply Your Knowledge Part 3

B. Pneumonectomy
C. Laryngectomy Answer: C. Laryngectomy
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Apply Your Knowledge Part 4

Melissa has very thick respiratory secretions. She visits a local pharmacy looking for something to help her with her dry cough. Which of the following types of medication should Melissa consider taking? A. Expectorant B. Antitussive C. Antibiotic

Answer: A. Expectorant

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