4

In this chapter,
youll review:
components of the
respiratory system
and their function

tests used to
diagnose respiratory
disorders

common respiratory
disorders.

Respiratory
system
Brush up on key
concepts
The major function of the respiratory system
is gas exchange, which includes the transfer
of oxygen and carbon dioxide between
the atmosphere and the blood. During gas
exchange, air is taken into the body through
inhalation and travels through respiratory passages to the lungs. In the lungs, oxygen (O2)
takes the place of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the
blood, and the CO2 is then expelled from the
body through exhalation.
The respiratory system is divided into two
sections: the upper respiratory tract and the
lower respiratory tract. At any time, you can
review the major points of this chapter by consulting the Cheat sheet on pages 70 to 77.

Upper respiratory tract

Enter here
The nose and mouth allow air flow into and
out of the body. They also humidify inhaled
air, which reduces irritation of the mucous
membranes. Within the nose, the nares
(nostrils) contain olfactory receptor sites,
providing for the bodys sense of smell.

Keep out!
The paranasal sinuses are air-filled, cilialined cavities within the nose. Their function
is to trap particles of foreign matter that might
interfere with the workings of the respiratory
system.

Going down
The pharynx serves as a passageway to the
digestive and respiratory tracts. The pharynx

313419NCLEX-RN_Chap04.indd 69

maintains air pressure in the middle ear and

also contains a mucosal lining. This lining
continues the process of humidifying and
warming inhaled air in addition to trapping
foreign particles.

If you can read this aloud, thank

your larynx
The larynx, known as the voice box, connects
the upper and lower airways. It contains vocal
cords that produce sounds. The larynx also
initiates the cough reflex, which is part of the
respiratory systems defense mechanisms.

C-shaped connector
The trachea contains C-shaped cartilaginous
rings composed of smooth muscle. It connects the larynx to the bronchi.

Lower respiratory tract

Branching into bronchi
The trachea branches into the right and left
bronchi, the large air passages that lead to
the right and left lungs. The right main bronchus is slightly larger and more vertical than
the left.
As they pass into the lungs, the bronchi
form smaller branches called bronchioles,
which themselves branch into terminal bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.

Gas exchange center

Alveoli are clustered microscopic sacs enveloped by capillaries. Gas exchange occurs over
the millions of alveoli in the lungs as gases
diffuse across the alveolar-capillary membrane. The alveoli also contain a coating of
surfactant, which reduces surface tension and
keeps them from collapsing.
(Text continues on page 77.)

4/8/2010 6:46:12 PM