Human Respiratory System The respiratory system consists of all the organs involved in breathing.

These include the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. The respiratory system does two very important things: it brings oxygen into our bodies, which we need for our cells to live and function properly; and it helps us get rid of carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of cellular function. The nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi all work like a system of pipes through which the air is funneled down into our lungs. There, in very small air sacs called alveoli, oxygen is brought into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is pushed from the blood out into the air. When something goes wrong with part of the respiratory system, such as an infection like pneumonia, it makes it harder for us to get the oxygen we need and to get rid of the waste product carbon dioxide. Common respiratory symptoms include breathlessness, cough, and chest pain.

Nostrils/Nasal Cavities - During inhalation, air enters the nostrils and passes into the nasal cavities where foreign bodies are removed, the air is heated and moisturized before it is brought further into the body. It is this part of the body that houses our sense of smell. Pharynx - The pharynx, or throat carries foods and liquids into the digestive tract and also carries air into the respiratory tract. Larynx - The larynx or voice box is located between the pharynx and trachea. It is the location of the Adam's apple, which in reality is the thyroid gland and houses the vocal cords. Trachea - The trachea or windpipe is a tube that extends from the lower edge of the larynx to the upper part of the chest and conducts air between the larynx and the lungs.

 Lungs

The lungs are the organ in which the exchange of gasses takes place. The lungs are made up of extremely thin and delicate tissues. At the lungs, the bronchi subdivides, becoming progressively smaller as they branch through the lung tissue, until they reach the tiny air sacks of the lungs called the alveoli. It is at the alveoli that gasses enter and leave the blood stream.

 Bronchi

- The trachea divides into two parts called the bronchi, which enter the lungs. Bronchioles - The bronchi subdivide creating a network of smaller branches, with the smallest one being the bronchioles. There are more than one million bronchioles in each lung. Avleoli - The alveoli are tiny air sacks that are enveloped in a network of capillaries. It is here that the air we breathe is diffused into the blood, and waste gasses are returned for elimination.

the pleural cavity is the potential space between the two pleura (visceral and parietal) of the lungs. The pleura is a serous membrane which folds back onto itself to form a two-layered, membrane structure. The thin space between the two pleural layers is known as the pleural cavity; it normally contains a small amount of pleural fluid. The outer pleura (parietal pleura) is attached to the chest wall. The inner pleura (visceral pleura) covers the lungs and adjoining structures, viz. blood vessels, bronchi and nerves. The parietal pleura is highly sensitive to pain, while the visceral pleura is not, due to its lack of sensory innervations.

 The

pleural cavity, with its associated pleurae, aids optimal functioning of the lungs during respiration. The pleural cavity also contains pleural fluid, which allows the pleurae to slide effortlessly against each other during ventilation. Surface tension of the pleural fluid also leads to close apposition of the lung surfaces with the chest wall. This relationship allows for greater inflation of the alveoli during respiration. The pleural cavity transmits movements of the chest wall to the lungs, particularly during heavy breathing. This occurs because the closely apposed chest wall transmits pressures to the visceral pleural surface and hence to the lung itself.

 Pleural

fluid is a serous fluid produced by the normal pleurae. Most fluid is produced by the parietal circulation (intercostals arteries) via bulk flow and reabsorbed by the lymphatic system. Thus, pleural fluid is produced and reabsorbed continuously. In a normal 70 kg human, a few milliliters of pleural fluid is always present within the intrapleural space. Larger quantities of fluid can accumulate in the pleural space only when the rate of production exceeds the rate of reabsorption.

Pathophysiology of Pleural Effusion