The Respiratory System
Payton Nance
The Pharynx
Organs and structures are what make up the respiratory system. After the air enters the nasal cavity it goes through the Pharynx. The pharynx is in the back of your throat. There is a flap of skin called the epiglottis. The epiglottis separated the food from the air. When you inhale the epiglottis opens the airway and when you eat or drink it closes the airway.
The Larynx and The Trachea
The Larynx is the airway that the epiglottis covers and uncovers. Your vocal cords are here. Your vocal cords are two horizontal folds of tissue and when air goes through them it makes your voice. The next place that air moves is the Trachea. The trachea is just a tube made out of cartilage that connects the larynx to the bronchi. It is like a filter that filter the air before it goes into your lungs.
The Makeup of your Lungs
The Bronchi
The bronchi is at the bottom of the trachea and it splits the air evenly to the left lung to the right lung.
The Bronchioles
The bronchioles are even littler than the bronchi. They are little tubes that break off of the bronchi and take the oxygen to the alveoli.
The Alveoli
The Alveoli is at the end of each set of bronchioles. They are like clusters of grapes. The alveoli are surrounded by capillaries that carry blood. This is where oxygen moves out of the lungs and into the blood.
The Lungs and the Diaphragm
All of these things like the bronchi and the bronchioles and the alveoli are what make up your lungs. Right under your lungs is your diaphragm. When you inhale your diaphragm contracts and oxygen goes into the alveoli and then the alveoli along with the capillaries open their poor's and the oxygen goes from the alveoli to the capillaries. When you exhale, your diaphragm relaxes and the alveoli and the capillary open their poor's and then carbon dioxide goes up through your airway and out of your body.
Infection and Diseases
Every body is able to get diseases in their respiratory system but many diseases are related to smoking. Even 2nd hand smoking can cause a respiratory disease. You can also get respiratory infections. Infections are caused by bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. When you have a cold it is located in the upper part of the respiratory system like the nasal cavity and the pharynx.
Chronic Bronchitis
When too much mucus is produced and when the bronchial tubes are irritated and swell a disease call bronchitis develops. It usually goes away on its own,
Emphysema
When the alveoli in the lungs enlarge it causes emphysema. Enzymes are released and break down the walls of the alveoli when the alveoli is reddened and swollen. Less oxygen moves through out the blood stream.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is caused mainly by smoking. When your cells grow uncontrolled it is caused by carcinogens.
Asthma
During and asthma attack the bronchioles contract quickly. You can consum treatment for an asthma attack called an inhaler. You can also have an asthma attack during an allergic reaction.
The Respiratory System