Form and Function of Respiratory System - Essay Example

Form and Function of Respiratory System Every cell in the body requires a steady and continuous supply of oxygen to function and survive. This is accomplished by the respiratory system. The respiratory system is a system of organs, which is involved in carrying out the process of respiration. The latter involves the inhalation of air for the oxygen component, and its exhalation to expel carbon dioxide. As the body does not store oxygen, it is very important for this system to function precisely, and any disruption for more than a few minutes could lead to death (Britannica Concise Encyclopedia). Form and Function The lungs can be considered as the crux of the respiratory system and the rest of the constituents are tantamount to air conducting passages. The lungs are located in the thorax, which is surrounded by the ribs. These ribs basically provide protection to the lungs and the heart. A sheet of muscle and tendon known as the diaphragm is located between the chest and the abdomen, which facilitates the process of breathing by movement that involves the ribs and the rib muscles (The Royal Society of Medicine Health Encyclopedia). The lungs are a pair of bellows like organs, which contain a multitude of tiny air sacs known as the alveoli. Oxygen is adsorbed by the hemoglobin of the blood in capillaries of these alveoli, and carbon dioxide is released. Hence the primary function of the respiratory system is to take in oxygen and expel the waste gases produced as a result of metabolism. These gases must be exchanged with the hemoglobin protein of blood. Thereafter, the oxygen is pumped to various cells in the body by the heart (The Royal Society of Medicine Health Encyclopedia). Organs In humans, the respiratory system can be divided into upper respiratory system, and the lower respiratory system. The upper respiratory system consists of the nasal cavity, the sinuses and the pharynx. The lower respiratory system consists of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and lungs (Britannica Concise Encyclopedia). The nasal cavity is responsible for warming, moistening and cleaning of the air before it enters the pharynx. Nasal hair is lined along the vestibule in the nostrils, and helps to filter out unwanted particles. Mucus is produced by the paranasal sinuses which are located around the nasal cavity. The larynx, also known as the voice box, connects the pharynx with the trachea or windpipe. In addition, a cartilaginous flap known as the epiglottis prevents the entering of food into the trachea during swallowing. The trachea branches into primary left and right bronchi, which supply each corresponding lung with air. These bronchi further branch out into secondary and tertiary bronchi, which are finally divided into fine bronchioles. The end of each bronchiole is terminated in alveoli, thin cup-shaped air sacs, which facilitate the transfer of gases between the air and the blood in capillaries (Britannica Concise Encyclopedia). Physiology In humans, breathing comprises of both respiration and ventilation. The movements of the diaphragm, the ribs and the rib cage muscles cause the expansion and contraction of the lungs that draw in or expel air respectively. The primary respiratory gases are oxygen and carbon dioxide. The respiratory system is concerned with external respiration, which involves the transfer of gases from the lungs to the tissues and from the tissues to the lungs. Hence the human respiration is physiologically the transfer of oxygen rich air to the lungs, and the transfer of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere (Merrill). Disorders / Diseases The lung is characterized by an excessive reserve capacity, and as a consequence the disease must be present to a significant degree before the symptoms can be realized. A symptom that usually surfaces in the event of a respiratory disorder is the dyspnea, which is experienced as shortness of breath. Other symptoms that can be observed are fever, chest pain, excessive sputum expulsion, and hemoptysis (McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology). Diseases that affect the airways, almost always increase the resistance for air to travel in them, hence requiring the lungs to exert additional efforts to perform the task of respiration. The diseases that affect the throat, larynx and the trachea are capable of obstructing the flow of air into the lungs. Also in asthma, the smooth muscle present in the trachea and the bronchi constricts sporadically leading to complications (McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology). Cancer, Emphysema and Pneumonia commonly affect the lungs and lead to a large number of deaths in the United States. 90% of all lung cancers can be attributed to the carcinogens found in cigarette smoke. Lung cancer can be diagnosed with the aid of a chest x-ray, or discovered through chest pain or excessive coughing with bloody sputum discharge (McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology). Medical Advancements The major diseases that affect the respiratory system are the cancer of the lung and emphysema. By the time cancer is diagnosed, more than 85% of the people cannot be subjected to the traditional surgical methods. For such patients interventional radiology procedures can be used to provide satisfactory treatment. By using these techniques the average life expectancy of lung cancer patients can be increased by up to 3 years (Medical News Today). Over the past two decades, lung transplantation has seen rapid advances and in the present day, it has emerged as a viable technique to treat end stage lung disease. This procedure is limited due to the non – availability of donors. Depending on the medical condition it can be performed in isolation or as part of heart and lung transplant (Encyclopedia of Women's Health). Works Cited Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. respiration. Chicago, 2009. Web. 4 December 2012. . Encyclopedia of Women's Health. "Lung Transplantation." 2004. Credo Reference. Web. 5 December 2012. . McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. "Respiratory system disorders." 2006. Credo Reference. Web. 5 December 2012. . Medical News Today. "Lung Cancer Treatment Advances." 28 August 2006. Web. 5 December 2012. . Merrill, Gary. Our Marvelous Bodies: An Introduction to the Physiology of Human Health. Rutgers University Press, 2008. Print. The Royal Society of Medicine Health Encyclopedia. "respiratory system." 2000. Credo Reference. Web. 5 December 2012. . Read More