THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The Respiratory System

The Respiratory System

The body needs oxygen to grow and function. The respiratory system supplies oxygen to the individual tissue cells and removes carbon dioxide from the blood. The respiratory system is an arrangement of spaces and passageways that bring air into the lungs. These spaces include the nasal cavities; the pharynx, which is used by both the digestive tract and the respiratory system; the voice box or larynx; the trachea or windpipe; and the lungs, which include the bronchial tubes and alveoli (or air sacs).

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), also known as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD), is an umbrella term used to describe chronic lung diseases that are characterized by progressive obstruction of the airflow into and out of the lungs and increased shortness of breath. COPD is an insidious disease, which is often diagnosed after some of the lung capacity is already lost. Diseases included under the umbrella term include emphysema and chronic bronchitis(Kanner, 1996).

To understand COPD it is useful to look at how the normal respiratory system works. The function of the respiratory System is to supply the body with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. According to Waugh and Grant (2004) it also helps maintain body temperature and eliminate excess water from the body. The Respiratory system consists of the mouth, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and the lungs (Seeley, Stephens & Tate, 2000).

Respiratory System

The respiratory system is made up of the organs that deliver oxygen to the circulatory system for transport to all body cells. Oxygen is essential for cells, which use this vital substance to liberate the energy needed for cellular activities. In addition to supplying oxygen, the respiratory system aids in removing of carbon dioxide, preventing the lethal buildup of this waste product in body tissues. Day-in and day-out, without the prompt of conscious thought, the respiratory system carries out its life-sustaining activities. If the respiratory system's tasks are interrupted for more than a few minutes, serious, irreversible damage to tissues occurs, followed by the failure of all body systems, and ultimately, death(Kunik, Densmore, 2002).

While the intake of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide are the primary functions of the respiratory system, it plays other important roles in the body. The respiratory system helps regulate the balance of acid and base in tissues, a process crucial for the normal functioning of cells. It protects the body against disease-causing organisms and toxic substances inhaled with air(Kunik, et.al, 2005). The respiratory system also houses the cells that detect smell, and assists in the production of sounds for speech.

The organs of the respiratory system extend from the nose to the lungs and are divided into the upper and lower respiratory tracts. The upper respiratory tract consists of the nose and the pharynx, or throat. The lower respiratory tract includes the larynx, or voice box; the trachea, or windpipe, which splits into two main branches called bronchi; tiny branches of the bronchi called bronchioles; and the lungs, a pair of saclike, spongy organs(Kunik, ...