Respiratory System – Releases Waste Gases through Breathing

The respiratory system is the bodies system that introduces gases into the body and releases waste gases through breathing. The main function is to transport air into the lungs, facilitate the diffusion of oxygen into the blood stream, and exhale carbon dioxide from the blood through exhaling. The respiratory system consists of all the organs involved in breathing. These include the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. The mouth, nose, and nasal cavity function is to warm, filter, and moisten incoming air.

The pharynx is the part of the throat below the mouth and nasal cavity. It provides a passage for the air during breathing. It is a muscular tube that connects the back of the mouth and the nose to the esophagus. It is lined with a mucous membrane. The larynx (voice box) is part of the respiratory system that holds the vocal cords. It is responsible for producing voice, helping us swallow, and breath. It is composed of muscles and cartilage that are bound by elastic tissue. It consists of tough, flexible tissue called cartilage, which sticks out in the front of the throat for form the Adam's apple.

The larynx also has the important function of preventing choking. The trachea is known as the windpipe. It is a tube that carries air from the throat into the lungs. The inner membrane of trachea is covered in tiny hairs called cilia. The cilia catch particles of dust which is removed through coughing. The trachea is covered in rings of cartilage at the front and side which helps protect the trachea and keep it open. The lining includes cells that secrete mucus along with other cells that are hair like. The bronchi is the division of the trachea from left to right lung. The lungs are a pair of large, spongy organs that provide the gas exchange between our blood and the air. It provides us with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide before it reaches hazardous levels. The left lung is slightly smaller than the right because 2/3 of the heart is located on the left side of the body. Inside the lungs is the bronchioles. They are very narrow tubes less than 1 millimeter.

At the end of the bronchioles are the alveoli. They are functional units of the lungs that permit gas exchange between the air in the lungs and the blood. They are small clusters. Each alveolus is a hollow, cup-shaped cavity surrounded by many tiny capillaries. The diaphragm is a dome shape sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. It is responsible for breathing. It helps create a vacuum effect that brings air into the lungs. There are many diseases of the respiratory system. Asthma is a lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. It can cause wheezing (whistling sound when you breath), shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. It can be caused from smoking, air pollution, cold air, emission from factories, exercise, chemicals, pollen, and medication. Bronchitis is another disease that can affect the respiratory system. It is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes which are the primary air way to the lung. Its system can include shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing, yellow or green in color mucus, and chest pain.

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