Respiratory System Essay

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The respiratory system is a biological system consisting of specific organs and a specific structure used for the process breathing. Respiration is accomplished through the nose, mouth, trachea, diaphragm and the lungs. The respiratory system is responsible for the inhalation of oxygen and exchanged to carbon dioxide when oxygen is exhaled. Respiration or ventilation takes place in the respiratory system. Organs of the respiratory system extend from the nose to the lungs. Respiration takes place in all living things. Each day the average adult breathes about 20000 times .Even if the air we breathe is dirty or polluted the respiratory system filters out the foreign matter and organisms that enter the body through the nose and mouth. Tiny hairs called cilia protect the nasal passageways and other parts of the respiratory track. The process of ventilation begins when oxygen enters the through the mouth and nose. The oxygen then passes through the larynx and then …show more content…

At birth the lungs are a pinkish color and as we age the lungs turn dark slate gray. The right lung is made of three lobes and the left on only has two. The lungs are separated by the mediastinum which is a space that connect the heart blood vessels trachea and the esophagus. The base of the lungs are called hila. The right lung is slightly larger than the left lung which allows room for the heart. The lungs consist of five separate lobes. The muscles around the lungs allow the lungs to expand and contract so you are able to breathe. The muscles around the neck and collarbone also aid in breathing. Other muscles that aid in breathing include abdominal and intercostal muscles. As oxygen is inhaled the nose and mouth warm and wet the air. Common disorders of the respiratory system may include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, influenza, pneumonia, pertussis, pleurisy, pulmonary embolism, tuberculosis and

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