RESPIRATORY

PHYSIOLOGY
Dr Shahab Shaikh

PhD, MD

Lecture 1: Introduction to respiratory system

College of Medicine
College of Medicine

Al Maarefa Colleges of Science &

Learning Objectives
By the end of this lecture students should
be able to .
Define Internal & External respiration
Identify functions of Respiratory system
Identify role of different parts of upper
respiratory tract in respiration.
Describe tracheobronchial tree.
Describe alveoli.

INTRODUCTION

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM PHYSIOLOGY

EXTERNAL RESPIRATION:
Refers to all the sequence of events in the
exchange of O2 and CO2 between the external
environment and the tissue cells.
CELLULAR (INTERNAL) RESPIRATION:

Refers to the intracellular metabolic

processes carried out within the
mitochondria, which use O2 and produce
CO2 while deriving energy from nutrient
molecules

INTRODUCTION

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM PHYSIOLOGY

CELLULAR (INTERNAL) RESPIRATION:

Respiratory Quotient (RQ):

It is the ratio of CO2 produced to O2 consumed during
metabolism of food.
Varies depending on the type of food.
For carbohydrates the RQ is 1, that is, for every
molecule of O2 consumed, one molecule of CO2 is
produced.
For fat the RQ is 0.7 & for protein it is 0.8.
On a typical diet consisting of a mixture of these three
nutrients, average RQ is 0.8.

INTRODUCTION

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM PHYSIOLOGY

External Respiration:
Major Functional events include:
1.Pulmonary Ventilation
(Breathing)
2.Diffusion of O2 & CO2
between Alveoli & Blood
3.Transport of O2 & CO2
4.Diffusion of O2 & CO2
between Blood & Tissue
cells
. Regulation of Respiration

Functions of Resp Sys

Respiratory functions
The respiratory system provides oxygen for
metabolism in the tissues.
The respiratory system removes carbon dioxide,
the waste product of metabolism.
The respiratory system contributes to homeostasis
by exchanging O2 and CO2 between the
atmosphere and the Blood and through many non
respiratory functions.

Functions of Resp Sys

Non Respiratory Functions
Maintains acid-base balance.
Maintains body water levels.
Maintains heat balance.
Filtration / Defense
Secretion of ACE which activates Angiotensin-1
to Angiotensin-2 in lungs
Metabolic Functions. Eg. Prostaglandins Inactivated in lung
Facilitates sense of smell.
Produces speech.

The Respiratory System

Upper
Sys

Respiratory

Nose
Pharynx (throat)

Lower
Sys

Respiratory

larynx (voice box)

Trachea (windpipe)
Bronchi
Lungs

Upper Resp Sys The Resp Passage

The Nose
Extent: Anterior nares to Nasopharynx
Linings: Ciliated Mucosa
Sinuses Draining into the Nose:

Frontal
Maxillary
Sphenoidal
Ethmoidal

The Nose
Functions:
Filters the air of foreign particles like dust,
bacteria, etc.
Warms the air to body temperature
Humidifies the air
Organ of smell (Olfactory receptors located in
the nasal mucosa
Aids in phonation

Pharynx

Serves as a passageway and

entrance to the respiratory and
digestive tracts
Three Parts:
Nasopharynx
behind nose
soft palate, adenoids and eustachian tube
Oropharynx
from soft palate to base of tongue
palatine tonsils
Laryngopharynx
base of tongue to esophagus
bifurcation of larynx and esophagus

LARYNX
LOCATION: at the upper end of the trachea, just
below the pharynx
Functions:
Voice production: during expiration, air passing through
the larynx cause the vocal cords to vibrate
Serves as a passageway for air and as the entrance to
the lower respiratory tract

Structure:

Thyroid cartilage: largest (Adams apple)

Epiglottis
Cricoid
Vocal Cord

TRACHEA
The larynx opens into the trachea or the
windpipe.
The trachea is a tube approximately 12
centimeters in length and 2.5 centimeters
wide.
The trachea is kept open by rings of C shaped
cartilage within its walls.
Similar to the nasal passages, the trachea is
covered with a ciliated mucous membrane.
Usually the cilia move mucus and trapped
foreign matter to the pharynx.

TRACHEA

TRACHEO-BRONCHIAL TREE
The air passage between
Trachea and Alveoli divides
23 times to form the
Tracheo-Bronchial tree.
The first 16 generations
upto
the
Terminal
Bronchiole
forms
the
Conducting Zone
The 17th to the 23rd
Generations starting with
the Respiratory Bronchiole
form
the
Respiratory
Zone

TRACHEO-BRONCHIAL TREE

TRACHEO-BRONCHIAL TREE

TRACHEO-BRONCHIAL TREE

TRACHEO-BRONCHIAL TREE
Functions of conducting zone of airways:

Provides low resistance pathway for airflow;

Resistance is physiologically regulated.
Defends against microbes, toxic chemicals,
and other foreign Matters.
Warms and moistens the air.
Helps in Phonation.

TRACHEO-BRONCHIAL TREE
Control of Bronchiolar (Airway) Diameter:

Nervous
Sympathetic
2 receptors Dilate

Parasympathetic
Muscarinic receptors Constrict

Humoral
Histamine, acetylcholine Constrict
Adrenergic ( agonists) Dilate

ALVEOLI AND THE LUNG TISSUE

The alveoli are the
microscopic blood
vessel-lined sacks
in which oxygen
and carbon dioxide
are exchanged.

ALVEOLI AND THE LUNG TISSUE

References
Human physiology by Lauralee Sherwood, 9th
edition
Text Book Of Physiology by Guyton & Hall, 11th
edition
Review of Medical Physiology by Ganong, 24th
edition

THANK YOU

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