Respiratory System in the Human Body - Report Sample

Introduction

The respiratory system consists of several different parts that function together—the respiratory system consists of tissues and organs that help breathe. The respiratory system is responsible for the transport and exchange of gases in the human body. The respiratory system involves the pulmonary vessels, air passages, breathing muscles, and lungs, which help in the gaseous exchange between the air and blood and the body cells. Most organs help in gas distribution, but only alveoli are responsible for the gas exchange (Peate, 2018). Also, the respiratory system organs play a role in the sense of smell and speech. It also helps to maintain homeostasis in the body. The respiratory system warms, moisturizes, and filters the air inhaled into the lungs.

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Respiratory Tract

The respiratory system is categorized into the lower and upper respiratory tract. The upper respiratory tract comprises a network of organs such as the pharynx, nose, and larynx. The lower respiratory tract comprises the lungs, trachea, diaphragm, and bronchi. During inspiration, oxygen from the air enters the lungs through the airway. Once oxygen gets into the lungs, elimination of the waste gas occurs (Peate, 2018). The air enters through the nose or mouth and through the pharynx, larynx, trachea, the bronchi, where it enters the lungs and finally gets into alveoli. The respiratory system transports oxygen into the body required for cell function and removes carbon dioxide from the body, a waste product. The respiratory system provides the body with nutrients.

The oxygen is transported through diffusion into the bloodstream, whereas carbon dioxide is collected for excretion through breathing (Ionescu, 2013). Diffusion is a process through which carbon dioxide, water and oxygen move through a semi-permeable membrane between blood vessels and cell walls creating an equilibrium environment.External respiration is the first step of respiration and takes place in the lung capillaries. Oxygen gets into the veins through the alveoli, and carbon dioxide is brought to the alveoli to remove the body. Internal respiration is the second step, where the exchange of gases occurs in the cells (Peate, 2018). Oxygen moves through the bloodstream into the tissues and back to the lungs. It involves the circulatory system, which transports oxygen and blood in the entire body. The respiratory system ensures the body acquire sufficient amounts of nutrients and oxygen required for proper functioning.

Three Main Parts

The respiratory system organs comprise three main parts; the respiratory muscles, the airways, and the lungs (Ionescu, 2013). The main components have organs that promote a healthy respiratory system—the airway transport air between the lungs and the body's peripheral. The lungs form the respiratory system's functional units by transporting oxygen in the body and carrying carbon dioxide away from the body. The respiratory system muscles consist of the diaphragm, which functions as a pump, pushing the air out and into the lungs during breathing. The nose is a face structure comprising skin, cartilage, muscle, and bone that protects and supports the nasal cavity's frontal part.

The nasal cavity is an open space in the skull and nose with mucus membrane and hair lining. The nasal cavity functions to moisturize, warm, and filter the air coming into the body before it enters the lungs. Also, the exhaled air from the lungs leaves the heat and moisture in the nasal cavity. Even though the nose has been the main organ in the air's inhalation, other organs such as the mouth also exist. The mouth plays a significant role in the respiration system as it's a backup entry for air whenever the nasal cavity is not functional (Aung et al., 2019).

The air pathway into the body through the mouth is shorter than the air pathway through the nose. The air is neither moisturized nor warmed in the mouth. The oral cavity does not have the filtering system present in the nasal cavity, but the epiglottis filters the air. The epiglottis is a thin skin that prevents from getting into the windpipe. During ingestion and swallowing of food, the epiglottis covers the trachea. The windpipe or trachea is a respiratory system organ that is five inches long and consists of cartilage rings that are c shaped (Aung et al., 2019). The trachea links the larynx to the bronchi and allows the passage of air. The windpipe provides a clear pathway for air to pass into and leave the lungs. It has an epithelium lining that produces mucus that traps toxin substances and dust preventing them from getting into the lungs. The trachea has cilia, which moves in the opposite direction of air, moving mucus from the lungs to the throat, removed through swallowing or spitting. The larynx is located above the trachea and contains the vocal folds, which can produce speech sounds. The vocal folds consist of mucous membranes that produce vocal sounds through vibration. The larynx distributes the food and air to its right position (Peate, 2018). Next to it in the throat.

The throat, also known as the pharynx, is located at the nasal cavity end. It allows air and food to pass through and filtered air from the nasal cavity. The laryngopharynx, oropharynx, and nasopharynx make the pharynx. The nasopharynx is posteriorly located in the nasal cavity. The air from the oral cavity passes through the oropharynx. The laryngopharynx filters the air entering the lungs. As the air continues to move through the respiratory systems before leaving the lungs, the airway splits into right and left branches referred to as the primary bronchi. The human body comprises two respiratory sponges known as lungs. The left lung has two lobes and three lobes on the left lung. The left side is smaller than the right lung as it creates space for the heart's positioning (Aung et al., 2019). The lungs have bronchioles, which are attached to alveoli. The lungs on both sides contain the alveoli, which carry the air from the surrounding environment to the internal and external respiration system. The major function of the lung is the gaseous exchange process, which is breathing.

The Alveoli allow for gaseous exchange to occur as the blood pass through the capillaries. The lung has a pleural membrane around it, which provides the lung with space to expand. The negative pressure proportionate to the body's exterior enables the lungs to fill with air during relaxation. The diaphragm is the last major organ of the respiratory system and has a vital respiratory system function (Jung & Fraser, 2020). The diaphragm contracts the abdominal cavity during respiration expands the lungs during inhalation. Between the ribs are the external and internal intercostal muscles.

The internal intercostal muscles depress the ribs forcing air out of the lungs. While the external intercostal muscles elevate the ribs leading to their expansion, the air enters the lungs. During inhalation, chest muscles force the ribs, connective muscle, and thoracic cavity to contract to expand the chest. The diaphragm moves downwards and contracts, increasing the chest space, allowing the air to enter the lungs. Even though the respiratory system has three major parts, several organs play an essential role in life (Jung & Fraser, 2020).

The respiratory system interacts with all other body systems such as nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, and skeletal systems (Aung et al., 2019). The respiratory system carries oxygen and blood across the body, and it is essential in the structural formation of the upper respiratory tract's soft tissue.

Conclusion

The primary function is to remove carbon dioxide from the body and provide oxygen in the air to the body. It transports oxygen into the blood and in the lungs. The respiratory system involves various organs that function together. The respiratory system closely works with other body systems. The respiratory system helps all other courses through its function in the body. It interacts with the cardiovascular system by carrying oxygen and nutrients to body cells. Due to this process, the nutrients nourish the lungs and provide air to ensure the circulatory system is continuous.

Moreover, the lungs have receptors that react to deflation and inflation. The receptors activate the nervous system resulting in a response like a change in the breathing system or a cough. The respiratory system provides oxygen that is transported throughout the body by the red blood cells. The respiratory system's interaction with other body systems helps maintain proper functioning and balance in the body.

References

Jung, S., & Fraser, R. (2020). Development and Functional Anatomy of the Respiratory System. Cotes' Lung Function, 33-43.
https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118597309.ch3

Aung, H. H., Sivakumar, A., Gholami, S. K., Venkateswaran, S. P., Gorain, B., & Md, S (2019). An Overview of the Anatomy and Physiology of the Lung. Nanotechnology-Based Targeted Drug Delivery Systems for Lung Cancer (pp. 1-20). Academic Press.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815720-6.00001-0.

Peate, I. (2018). Anatomy and physiology, 10. The respiratory system. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 12(4), 178-181.
https://doi.org/10.12968/bjha.2018.12.4.178.

Ionescu, C. M. (2013). The human respiratory system. In The Human Respiratory System (pp. 13-22). Springer, London.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5388-7_2.