Anatomy: The Respiratory System

The purpose of the respiratory system is breathing which is also known as ventilation. The process of cyclically moving air in and out of the lungs so alveolar air that has given up oxygen and picked up carbon dioxide can be exchanged for fresh air from the atmosphere. Ventilation is accomplished from the system alternately shifting the direction of the pressure gradient for airflow between the atmosphere and the alveoli through the expansion and recoiling of the lungs. Contraction of the inspiratory muscles indirectly produces inflation and deflation of the lungs by continuously expanding and compressing the thoracic cavity with the lungs following its movements. Since energy is required to contract these muscles inspiration is known as an active process. Expiration is known as a passive process during quiet breathing because it is accomplished by elastic recoil of the lungs on relaxing the inspiratory muscles without energy. Ventilation involves two aspects, which are both subject to neural control. Firstly rhythmic cycling between inspiration and expiration and regulation of ventilation magnitude, which depends on the control of respiratory rate and depth of the tidal volume The lungs can be stretched to different degrees during the process of inspiration and then have the ability to recoil to their size before inspiration because of their elastic behavior. Pulmonary compliance is the term used for the dispensability of the lungs and their ability to stretch in response to a given change in the transmural pressure gradient. Elastic recoil refers to the ability of the lung to snap back to resting position during expiration. The lungs can be filled to about 5.5 liters when at maximal inspiration, and on the other hand emptied t...

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...hortness of breath.

In conclusion, the respiratory system contributes to homeostasis by obtaining O2 from and eliminating CO2 to the external environment. All of the body’s cells need an adequate amount of O2 to use in oxidizing nutrient molecules to generate ATP. For example brain cells, which are highly dependent on the continual supply of oxygen, will die if they are deprived of O2 for more then 4 minutes. It is evident that the precious respiratory system can be damaged from a variation of chemicals found in the atmosphere. This can range from automobile fumes to household cleaning products. Clearly cigarette smoke is a clear threat to the respiratory system because of the tar and other constituents that enter the lungs and should be avoided. The respiratory system should never be taken for granted, as it is one of the most important systems in our body.