The Respiratory System

Breathing is the process that

delivers oxygen to where it is
needed in the body and removes
carbon dioxide. The human
respiratory system is composed
of the nasal cavity, pharynx,
larynx, trachea, bronchi, and
lungs. It is liable for the method
of respiration that's vital to the
survival of living beings.
• The nose is what we normally use • The pharynx is the opening just behind
to inhale and exhale. It has two the nose and mouth and is part of both
the respiratory and digestive systems.
holes called nostrils through which Both food and air pass through the
air passes. The skin lining both pharynx; it is lined with tissues called
nostrils is embedded with tiny hairs tonsils, which can partially obstruct the
called cilia, which act like a filter to passage of either of the two. Like when
catch dust and other small particles swallowing, respiration is interrupted.
in the air we breathe. The pharynx ends in the esophagus and
the larynx.

• The mouth is what we use to • The larynx is also known as the "voice
breathe when we need more air box" because it houses the vocal cords
than what can be taken in through and the different muscles used in
the nostrils, as when we pant or producing sounds. The epiglottis, a
puff when we are exhausted. cartilage found at the top of the larynx,
aid in closing it tightly to prevent the
passage of food or liquids.
• The trachea, also referred to as the • The lungs are the most essential
windpipe, is a tube through which organ for respiration. They consist of
respiratory gas transport takes place. a cluster of bronchioles and alveoli,
It is lined with ciliated cells to push blood vessels, and elastic tissue.
particles out, and cartilage rings to Their main function is to transfer
guard it against pressure when oxygen into the bloodstream and to
breathing. The end of the trachea is excrete carbon dioxide into the air.
split into two tubes called the
bronchi, which also have several
thin-walled branches called
bronchioles.

• These bronchioles lead to air sacs

called alveoli, where most of the gas
exchange happens.
Mechanism of Breathing

Inhalation (inspiration) and exhalation (expiration) are the

processes by which the body takes in oxygen and expels
carbon dioxide during breathing. You breathe with the help of
the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles between your ribs.
The diaphragm is shaped like a parachute and located below
your lungs. It divides the chest cavity from the abdomen,
while the intercostal muscles are located between your ribs.
• Breathing in (Inhalation) When • Breathing out (Exhalation)
you breathe in (inhale), your
diaphragm contracts (tightens) When you breathe out
and moves downward. In this (exhale), your diaphragm
way, it could provide a bigger relaxes and moves upward
space for your lungs to expand in into the chest cavity. The
the chest cavity. Also, the intercostal muscles also relax
intercostal muscles help widen to decrease the area in the
the area in the chest cavity. They
contract to pull your rib cage chest cavity. As the space in
both upward and outward when the chest cavity is reduced,
you breathe. As your lungs carbon dioxide is pushed out
expand, air enters the nose and of your lungs and windpipe,
mouth, traveling towards your and then out of your nose or
windpipe and into your lungs. mouth.
The Circulatory
System • Its major parts are the heart,
The function of the circulatory system is the blood, and the blood
to transport oxygen and nutrients to the vessels. The heart is a
body cells and to carry deoxygenated muscular pump that keeps the
(oxygen-poor) blood and carbon dioxide
back to the heart and lungs. blood flowing to each part of
the body. The blood circulates
through a closed system—that
is, blood in the circulatory
system stays inside the
vessels. Generally, your blood
circulates from your heart,
throughout your body, and
back to your heart about
every 60 seconds.
• Blood is a tissue made of
fluid, cells, and fragments
of cells. The fluid or the
flowing portion of the
blood is termed plasma.
Plasma is a straw-colored
fluid and makes up about
55 percent of the total
volume of blood. Red and
white blood cells and
platelets are suspended in
plasma.
Blood Vessels: Pathways
of Circulation
The circulatory • Arteries carry blood away from the heart
towards the rest of the body. They carry
system has three oxygenated (oxygen-rich) blood except
types of blood pulmonary arteries, which carry
deoxygenated blood to the lungs for
vessels: arteries, oxygenation.
veins, and capillaries. • Veins carry blood from the rest of the body
back towards the heart. They carry
deoxygenated (oxygen-poor) blood, excluding
pulmonary veins, which carry oxygenated
blood from the lungs to the heart. In your
body, oxygen-poor blood has a darker red
color.
• Capillaries are the smallest blood
vessels that move blood to and from the
cells of the body. These vessels are so
small that blood cells must move
through them in a single file. Its walls
are so thin that materials can easily
diffuse into and out of them.