Respiratory
System
Functions
1. Respiration
2. Regulation of blood pH
3. Voice Production
4. Olfaction
5. Innate Immunity
Respiratory System
Upper Respiratory
Tract
Upper Respiratory Tract
Upper Respiratory
Tract
Lower Respiratory Tract
Lower Respiratory Tract
Alveolus and the Respiratory Membrane
Pleural Cavities and Membranes
Ventilation
❖ a process of moving air in and
out of the lungs
❖ uses the diaphragm, which is a
skeletal muscle that separates
the thoracic and abdominal cavities
❖ RR= 12-20 breaths per minute (adult)
Pressure Changes and Air Flow
❖ Changes in volume result in changes in
pressure.
❖ Air flows from an area of higher pressure to
an area of lower pressure.
Respiratory
Volumes and
Capacities
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities
Tidal volume (TV):
• volume of air inspired and expired during quiet
breathing
Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV):
• volume of air that can be inspired forcefully after a
normal inspiration
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities
Expiratory reserve volume (ERV):
• volume of air that can be expired forcefully after a
normal expiration
Residual volume (RV):
• volume of air remaining in lungs after a maximal
expiration (can’t be measured with spirometer)
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities
Vital capacity (VC):
• max. amount of air a person can expire after a max.
inspiration
VC = IRV + ERV + TV
Total lung capacity (TLC):
TLC = VC + RV
Factors that Influence Lung Volumes
and Capacities
Gender
Age
Height
Weight
Gas Exchange
1. Respiratory Membrane Thickness
2. Surface Area
3. Partial Pressure
Respiratory Membrane Thickness
❖ Increased thickness decreases rate of
diffusion
❖ Pulmonary edema decreases diffusion
❖ Rate of gas exchange is decreased
❖ O2 exchange is affected before CO2 because
CO2 diffuse more easily than O2
Respiratory Membrane Surface Area
❖ Total surface area is 70 square meters
❖ Decreased due to removal of lung tissue,
destruction from cancer, emphysema
Partial Pressure
❖ pressure exerted by a specific gas in a mixture of gases
❖ total atmospheric pressure of all gases at sea level is
760 mm Hg
❖ atmosphere is 21% O2
❖ partial pressure for O2 is 160 mm Hg
❖ upper case letter P represents partial pressure of a
certain gas (Po2)
Gas Exchange
Oxygen Transport
❖ O2 diffuses into the blood
❖ About 98.5% of O2 combines with hemoglobin
❖ About 1.5% of the O2 remains dissolved in plasma
❖ Hemoglobin with O2 bound to its heme group is
called oxyhemoglobin
❖ More O2 is released from oxyhemoglobin if PO2 is
low, PCO2 is high, pH is low, and temperature is
high.
Carbon Dioxide Transport and Blood pH
❖ CO2 diffuses from cells into capillaries
❖ CO2 enters blood and is transported in plasma,
combined with blood proteins, bicarbonate ions
❖ CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid
CO2 + H2O = H2CO3
❖ Carbonic acid dissociates into a hydrogen ion and a
bicarbonate ion
H2CO3 H+ + HCO3-
Rhythmic Ventilation
❖ Normal respiratory rate is 12 to 20 respirations per
minute (adults).
❖ Rates are higher in children; vary from 20-40
breaths per minute.
❖ The rhythm is controlled by neurons in the medulla
oblongata.
❖ Rate is determined by the number of times
respiratory muscles are stimulated.
Respiratory Structures in
the Brainstem
Nervous Control of Breathing
❖ Higher brain centers allow voluntary
breathing
❖ Emotions and speech affect breathing
❖ Hering-Breuer Reflex: inhibits respiratory
center when lungs are stretched during
inspiration
Nervous and Chemical Mechanisms of Breathing
Chemical Control of Breathing
❖ Chemoreceptors in medulla oblongata respond to
changes in blood pH
❖ Blood pH are produced by changes in blood CO2
levels
❖ An increase in CO2 causes decreased pH, result is
increased breathing
❖ Low blood levels of O2 stimulate chemoreceptors in
carotid and aortic bodies, increased breathing
Regulation of
Blood pH
Effects of Aging on the
Respiratory System
❖ Mucus accumulates within the
respiratory passageways
❖ Vital capacity decreases
❖ Residual volume increases
