Basic Respiratory system of human body | MPO training 4
Learn the basic respiratory system of human body in this simple and clear guide. This article is specially designed for Medical Promotion Officer (MPO) aspirants.
Diagram: Respiratory system diagram
You will understand how the lungs, nose, and breathing process work together. Even beginners can relate and learn quickly. Boost your medical basics with real-life context.
Table of content: Basic Respiratory system of human body
Take a look at everything you can learn from this article-
Introduction
To understand the basic respiratory system of human body, you need to learn how breathing works. Air enters through the nose, passes through the trachea, and reaches the lungs where oxygen is exchanged. This process keeps you alive and active. If you're a Medical Promotion Officer (MPO), this knowledge helps you explain drug actions to doctors better. Start with simple terms and grow step by step.
Basic Respiratory system of human body
What is Respiratory System?
Respiratory System is a group of organ which carry oxygen to the bloodstream
& eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood.
What is Respiration?
Respiration is a physiological process which involves transport of oxygen
from the atmosphere to the body cell for oxidation of the ingested food
material and elimination of carbon dioxide.
Phases of Respiration
Respiration has following two phases:
- Inspiration (Active process): Intake of air into the lungs. Its duration is 2 sec.
- Expiration (Passive process): Output of air from lungs. Its duration is 3 sec.
Diagram: Phases of Respiration diagram
Different Part of Respiratory System
| UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT | LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Trachea (Windpipe) |
| Nose, Sinuses and Smell | Lungs |
| Maxillary Sinus | Left Lower Lobe of Lung |
| Opening of Maxillary Sinus | Left Main Bronchus (Primary) |
| Ethmoid Sinus | Left Upper Lobe of Lung |
| Frontal Sinus | Lingula of Lung |
| Nasopharynx | Right Lower Lobe of Lung |
| Oropharynx | Right Main Bronchus (Primary) |
| Laryngopharynx | Right Middle Lobe of Lung |
| Larynx | Right Upper Lobe of Lung |
| Arytenoid Cartilage | Terminal Bronchi and Alveoli |
| Corniculate Cartilage | - |
| Cricoid Cartilage | - |
| Cricothyroid Joint | - |
| Cricothyroid Ligament | - |
| Epiglottis | - |
| Thyrohyoid Membrane | - |
| Thyroid Cartilage | - |
Air enters the body through the nose, is warmed, filtered, and passed
through the nasal cavity. Air passes the pharynx (which has
the epiglottis that prevents food from entering the
trachea). The upper part of the trachea contains the Larynx.
The vocal cords are two bands of tissue that extend across the
opening of the larynx.
After passing the larynx, the air moves into the bronchi that carry air in
and out of the lungs.
Bronchi branch into smaller and smaller tubes known as bronchioles.
Bronchioles terminate in grape-like sac clusters known as alveoli. Alveoli
are ser surrounded by a network of thin-walled capillaries.
Diagram: Different part of Respiratory system diagram
The lungs are large, lobed, paired organs in the chest (also known as the
thoracic cavity). Thin sheets of epithelium (pleura) separate the inside of
the chest cavity from the outer surface of the lungs. The bottom of the
thoracic cavity is formed by the diaphragm.
What is Ventilation?
Ventilation is the mechanics of breathing in and out. When we inhale,
muscles in the chest wall contract, lifting the ribs and pulling them
outward. The diaphragm at this time moves downward enlarging the chest
cavity. Reduced air pressure in the lungs causes air to enter the lungs.
Exhaling reverses these steps.
Diagram: Ventilation diagram
What are Lungs?
The lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system.
In the lungs oxygen is taken into the body and carbon dioxide is breathed
out. The red blood cells are responsible for picking up the oxygen in the
lungs and carrying the oxygen to all the body cells that need it.
The red blood cells drop off the oxygen to the body cells, then pick up
the carbon dioxide which is a waste gas product produced by our cells.
The red blood cells transport the carbon dioxide back to the lungs and we
breathe it out when we exhale.
Diagram: Lungs diagram
Role of Lungs (Function)
1. Gaseous exchanges:
- Lung carries oxygen from the lungs to the site of tissue respiration for utilization and carriage of carbon dioxide from the site of the lung alveoli for elimination.
2.Metabolic Function.
3. Excretory Function.
Lung Defense Mechanism
- They humidify and cool or warm the inspired air, so that very hot or very cold air is modified close to the body temperature.
- Bronchial secretions contain secretory immunoglobulins that help to resist infection.
- The pulmonary alveolar macrophages are important components of the pulmonary mechanism. They are actively phagocyte and ingest inhaled bacteria actively phagocyte and ingest and small particles.
What is Respiratory Tract?
Group of organs which allow the entrance of air into the lungs and
exchange gases with the blood is called the respiratory tract. Basically
from the nose to the pulmonary alveoli are collectively known as
respiratory tract.
Diagram: Respiratory Tract diagram
Divisions of Respiratory Tract
Upper Respiratory Tract: From nose to the vocal fold-
- Nose
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Larynx up to vocal folds
Diagram: Upper Respiratory Tract diagram
Lower Respiratory Tract: From vocal folds to the alveoli of the
lungs-
- Larynx below the vocal folds
- Trachea
- Two bronchi
- Bronchioles
- Terminal & Respiratory bronchioles
- Alveolar duct
Diagram: Lower Respiratory Tract diagram
Gaseous Exchange
Gaseous Exchange through Lungs
Diagram: Gaseous exchange diagram
Gas Exchange in Alveoli
Carbon dioxide concentration in metabolically active cells is much greater
than in capillaries, so carbon dioxide diffuses from the cells into the
capillaries. Water in the blood combines with carbon dioxide to form
bicarbonate.
In the alveoli capillaries, bicarbonate combines with a hydrogen ion
(proton) to form carbonic acid, which breaks down into carbon dioxide and
water. The carbon dioxide then diffuses into the alveoli and out of the
body with the next exhalation.
Common Respiratory Diseases
- Asthma
- COPD
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Tuberculosis
- Pneumonia
What is Asthma ?
The term "asthma" comes from the Greek meaning, "to breathe hard."
Asthma is a chronic obstructive inflammatory disease of the airways that
causes acute bronchospasm and dyspnea. (shortness of Breath)
Asthma causes inflammation or swelling of the airways and produces
thick.
Inflammation then leads to constriction of the muscles around the
airways, causing the airways to become narrow. This narrowing is also
referred to as bronchospasm.
Types of Asthma
Allergic Asthma: Allergic asthma is caused by allergens.
substances capable of causing an allergic reaction.
Causes of Allergic Asthma:
- The causes of allergic asthma are wide ranging. At the top of the list are specific allergens, such as pet dander, pollen and dust mites.
- Pollutants, wood dust, smoke, irritants, chemicals, viral infections, bacteria, stress, emotion and exercise are other frequently diagnosed causes.
Intrinsic Asthma: Intrinsic asthma is not likely to develop in
children; its typical onset occurs after age 40. Possible causes of
intrinsic asthma include respiratory irritants such as perfumes,
cleaning agents, fumes, smoke and cold air, upper respiratory infections
and GERD.
Nocturnal Asthma: Nocturnal or sleep-related, asthma affects
people when they are sleeping.
Occupational Asthma: Occupational asthma occurs directly as a
result of breathing chemical fumes, wood dust, or other irritants over
long periods of time.
Childhood Allergic Asthma: Most childhood asthma is considered an
allergic type of asthma. Childhood asthma occurs more often in young
boys than girls. Continued exposure to cigarette smoking can irritate
the respiratory tract and make infants and children particularly
vulnerable to allergic asthma.
Symptom of Asthma
- Dyspnea
- Chest Tightness
- Wheezing
- Night Awakening
- Coughing
Prevention & Treatment of Asthma
- Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with proper asthma management.
- The first step in asthma management is environmental control.
- The second step is to monitor lung function.
- The third step in managing asthma involves the use of medications. There are two major groups of medications used in controlling asthma: anti-inflammatories (corticosteroids) and bronchodilators.
FAQs
Q) What is the full form of COPD?
A) The full form of COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Q) What is the full form of GERD?
A) The full form of GERD is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
Q) What is the respiratory system and why should an MPO learn about it?
A) The respiratory system controls breathing and supplies oxygen to the
body. An MPO should learn it to understand how respiratory medicines work.
Q) How does the respiratory system help in oxygen delivery?
A) It brings in oxygen from the air and passes it to the blood. This
oxygen is then sent to body cells for energy.
Q) Why is respiratory system knowledge important for MPOs?
A) Understanding this system helps MPOs explain respiratory medicines
better to doctors and healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
Knowing the basic respiratory system of human body is essential for every Medical Promotion Officer (MPO). It helps you speak with doctors more confidently. When you understand how breathing works, you can explain medicines better. This article gives you a soft start with simple words. So keep learning and make your pharma journey smoother.
Sarwar Hossain Himel
I am Sarwar Hossain Himel, I am a sports lover. Education: BBA & MBA in Accounting. Job: Medical Promotion Officer (MPO) & 5 years of teaching experience. Freelancing: Google blogger & Article Writer. Web Design is my passion.