The respiratory system in our body supports life, saturating every cell with oxygen. A person cannot exist without breathing, but meanwhile, we treat this function as a matter of course. Let's dig deeper, and finally find out how the respiratory system works.
What it is
The respiratory system is designed to simplify breathing by exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen. Like any other system, it is complex in structure, and therefore you need to know what it is.
The respiratory system consists of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Rather, it is still more confused, right? Everything is simpler than simple: one department of the system is engaged in air processing, and the other transports air and carries out gas exchange.
What organs enter the upper and lower respiratory tract? Let's analyze in more detail.
Upper paths
What does this relate to?
- Sinuses.
- Nose.
- Larynx.
- Pharynx.
They process air, through them a person breathes.
Lower paths
These organs are invisible to the human eye.
- Lungs.
- Bronchi.
- Trachea.
They are engaged in the transportation of air throughout the body and the implementation of gas exchange.
The upper and lower respiratory tract are protected in different ways. Rather, the upper ones do not have any protection at all, but the lower ones are protected by the chest from 12 pairs of ribs, 12 vertebrae and sternum, where the ribs are attached.
When it is clear where and which organs belong, you need to move on to their structure. After all, each organ of the lower and upper respiratory tract is arranged in its own way.
Nose
The main channel through which air leaves the body and enters it is the nose.
There is a bone in the nose that forms the back, a conch that forms the wings of the nose, and septum cartilage (tip of the nose).
There are nostrils in the nose. They lead into the nasal cavity and are separated by the nasal septum. What is inside? There, the ciliary mucosa, which consists of cells, and the cilia work as a filter. Cells produce mucus, due to which all foreign bodies that appear in the nose are retained.
Pharynx
It is one of the components of the respiratory system. The nasal cavity flows into the throat. So called the back of the throat, which is covered with a mucous membrane. The organ is formed by fibrous and muscle tissue and is divided into three sections:
- Nasopharynx. It carries out a flow of air during nasal breathing. It is directly connected to the auditory tubes that contain mucus. Through these very pipes, the infection that is in the throat can easily pass to the ears. Adenoids are also located here. Their function is to filter out harmful particles of air.
- Oropharynx. This is the name of the path for the passage of food and inhaled air. Tonsils are located here, performing the same function as adenoids.
- Larynx The department allows food to pass through before falling into the esophagus. By the way, it is with him that the digestive tract begins.
Sinuses
Among the organs of the upper and lower respiratory tract there are sinuses. They are cavities with air in the sphenoid, ethmoid, frontal, bones and lower jaw. All cavities open into the nasal cavity. Sinuses are covered with mucous membrane. If mucus lingers in them, then this can be the cause of headaches.
Larynx
The anatomy of the larynx is quite simple. The body is divided into three departments:
- Vestibule. This is the upper part of the larynx, which stretches to the epiglottis. It has folds from the mucous membrane, between which there is a vestibular fissure.
- Interventricular. The narrowest part of this department consists of the glottis. The latter, in turn, consists of membranous and interchondral tissue.
- Sub-voice. Located under the glottis. It gradually expands and then passes into the trachea.
With the anatomy of the larynx, everything is clear, let's talk about what happens to the air. The latter proceeds further along it and is still being cleared. There are cartilages in the organ that form the vocal folds. They also make the epiglottis, which prevents food from entering the respiratory tract during swallowing.
In the larynx there are membranes of three types - connective tissue, fibro-cartilaginous and mucous.
As for the functions, she also has three of them:
- Protective. Nerve endings cause a cough if food enters the respiratory tract.
- Breathing The air moves in the right direction because the glottis opens and contracts.
- Voice-forming. It is the state and structure of the vocal cords that determines the timbre of the voice and other characteristics.
The larynx is an important organ that is responsible for the occurrence of speech.
Trachea
The anatomy is quite complex and we will definitely consider it, but first, general data. This organ connects the larynx and bronchi. It is formed by arched tracheal cartilage. By the way, different people will have different amounts of these cartilage. Usually run from 16 to 20 pieces. The same feature applies to the length of the trachea, which can also vary from 9 to 15 centimeters. The organ begins at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra next to the cricoid cartilage.
The trachea includes glands, the secret of which is needed to destroy harmful microorganisms. In the lower part, the organ is divided into two bronchi.
The structure of the trachea is quite complex, we will understand what layers are intended for what.
- The stratified ciliated epithelium lies in the basement membrane and forms the mucous membrane. The composition of the epithelium includes goblet stem cells. They secrete some mucus, but are still necessary. The same layer is rich in cellular structures producing serotonin and norepinephrine.
- The loose connective tissue is a submucosal layer. It has a lot of nerve fibers and blood vessels, which are responsible for regulation and blood supply.
- The cartilaginous part consists of hyaline cartilage, interconnected by annular ligaments. Behind there is a membrane that is connected to the esophagus. This structure allows you not to disturb breathing while eating.
- Advent Shell. This connective tissue covers the outside of the trachea.
If everything is clear with the anatomy of the trachea, then we have not yet analyzed the functions of the organ. So, the trachea conducts airflow to the lungs. It also performs the function of protection, when, together with air, small structures fall into the respiratory throat, they are enveloped by mucus. With the help of cilia, the particles are pushed first into the larynx, and then into the throat.
Bronchi
What is the structure of the bronchi? Before disassembling, we explain what it is. The bronchi are called the continuation of the trachea. The right bronchus is more important than the left. All due to the fact that it is larger in size and thickness, as well as its location is more vertical. The bronchus also consists of arched cartilage.
The place where the main bronchus enters the lungs is called the gate. After passing the gate, the bronchi branch into bronchioles. The latter pass into the alveoli, which are small spherical sacs enveloped in vessels.
The branches of the bronchi have different sizes, but they are combined and called the bronchial tree.
The organ has walls consisting of several layers. Let's look at them:
- Fibrocartilage.
- External. Connective tissue is also included here.
- Mucous. At the heart of this layer is loose fibrous tissue.
The internal mucous layer consists of a cylindrical epithelium and muscles.
As you can see, the structure of the bronchi is complex. What functions does such an important organ have?
Firstly, the bronchi warm, moisturize and purify the inhaled air. Secondly, they support the functioning of the immune system. Thirdly, they deliver air to the lungs. It is in the bronchi that a cough reflex is formed, which helps to remove dust, small particles from the body.
This is the important place bronchi occupy in the human respiratory system.
Lungs
This body is arranged on a pair basis. Each lung has several lobes, while their number is different. So, in the right lung there are three lobes, and in the left only two. The shape and size of the lungs are also different. The right one is shorter, but wider, but the left one, on the contrary, is elongated and narrow.
The picture of the structure of the upper and lower respiratory tract will not be complete without this organ, because it is he who completes the entire respiratory system of a person.
Each lung is densely penetrated by branches of the bronchial tree. Pulmonary alveoli are involved in gas exchange processes. They process oxygen into carbon dioxide, which comes out with an exhalation.
But you should not think that the lungs participate only in respiration. They have many other important tasks:
- Removal of vapors of alcohol, ethers, toxins.
- Maintaining an acid-base balance is normal.
- Water evaporation. Lungs can evaporate up to half a liter of water per day. It is important to know that the body is only involved in the elimination of excess fluid, and is not responsible for this.
- Participate in the immune system.
- They help to clot blood.
Scientists have long discovered that our capabilities are declining with age. The same applies to the lungs, the anatomy of the upper and lower respiratory tract is such that during aging the functions of all organs decrease. So, the level of ventilation in the lungs decreases, the depth of breathing, too. The chest becomes less mobile, its shape changes.
How do we breathe
We have already examined the functions of the upper and lower respiratory tract, it is time to understand the breath itself. This is the name of the process during which carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen. How does this happen? A person inhales oxygen, which is delivered by blood cells. This is done so that the nutrients in the digestive system are oxidized, adenosine triphosphate is produced in the muscles, a certain amount of energy is released.
Since school, we know that all the cells of our body should always receive oxygen, only this way life will be maintained. When oxygen is absorbed, carbon dioxide is formed. It must be removed from the blood cells as quickly as possible, that is, exhaled.
The breathing process consists of five actions:
- Exhale.
- Take a breath
- Transportation.
- External respiration.
- Cell respiration.
You see, it turns out that breathing is not as easy as it seems. That is why, without oxygen, a person cannot live longer than three minutes, while a shortage of water and food can withstand several days.
How to breathe
What the human respiratory system consists of is already clear, so let's get back to breathing. Consider the most correct way of breathing.
A person can breathe through both his mouth and nose. We have already analyzed the functions of the respiratory system, so it is safe to say that breathing through the nose will be most appropriate. And that's why:
- Cilia located on the mucous membrane in the nose, filter the air from foreign particles. They either fall into the larynx and the person swallows them, or are thrown out through blowing their nose or sneezing.
- If you breathe through your nose, then the air will get into the body already warmed up.
- Water from the mucus in the nose moisturizes the air.
- Nerve endings recognize odors and transmit information to the brain.
Breathing through the mouth, a person deprives himself of all this.
What is breathing
Even at school, in the biology lessons of the respiratory system, many classes are devoted. And all this is not in vain, because we must know how our body works. Now, over time, a rare adult, if he is not a doctor, can answer the question of what happens when you exhale or inhale. We recall.
When a person inhales air, the diaphragm does not just contract, it shifts the abdominal cavity down. The intercostal muscles contract as well, while the ribs themselves expand and rise. The pressure in the lungs becomes less, but the pressure in the air increases. The chest cavity becomes larger and air fills the lungs. The latter expand until they are completely filled with air.
When you exhale, the diaphragm returns to its domed shape and contracts. The ribs fall into place, and the intercostal muscles gradually relax. In the lungs, pressure increases, while air pressure, on the contrary, decreases. The chest cavity takes on its original form. Elastic traction helps displace air, and it comes out of the lungs. The abdominal muscles contract, thereby raising the abdominal cavity and increasing expiration.
As soon as a person exhales, a pause occurs. At this time, the pressure outside and in the lungs is the same. This condition is called equilibrium.
To breathe, people do not need to make conscious efforts, because the process controls the nervous system.
By the frequency of respiration, you can determine what condition the body is in. If breathing is frequent, then the body makes up for the lack of oxygen in the muscles. As soon as such a need disappears, breathing is evened out.
Types of breathing
There are several types of breathing, each of which is very important. We will analyze them in more detail.
- External respiration. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the blood of the alveoli of the lungs. Gas exchange is due to the fact that the pressure and concentration in the capillaries and alveoli are different. The air that enters the alveoli is under greater pressure than the blood in the capillaries. For this reason, oxygen easily passes into the bloodstream and increases pressure. After equalizing the pressure, the process stops. This is called diffusion.
- Internal respiration. Thanks to transportation, oxygen-enriched blood enters the cells, where diffusion occurs. This is due to the fact that the oxygen pressure is much greater than in the cells. Due to this, oxygen easily penetrates them. The blood that comes from the cells has less pressure and carbon dioxide also easily penetrates into it. Oxygen is replaced by carbon dioxide and so on constantly.
- Cell respiration. This is the name of the process when a cell produces carbon dioxide and assimilates oxygen. Cells need it in order to produce energy. To satisfy all the needs of the body, it is necessary to monitor the depth and frequency of respiration. Respiratory performance can be reduced due to several factors, for example, poor posture, stress, and this despite the fact that it controls the entire nervous system.
Types of breathing
The characteristics of the respiratory system will not be complete if we do not talk about the types of breathing. Everyone needs to know this, because when a person breathes incorrectly, he has a large number of health problems.
So, lateral costal breathing. This is the name for normal breathing, during which all the body's oxygen requirements are met. With such breathing, air fills the upper lobes of the lungs, which is why it is associated with the aerobic energy system.
Apical is called rapid and shallow breathing. So the person who wants to saturate the muscles with oxygen breathes. A vivid example would be childbirth, exercise, fear or stress. This breathing can lead to muscle fatigue if the need for oxygen is much greater than the intake of the latter. When a person breathes in this way, air reaches only the upper lobes of the lungs.
Diaphragmatic breathing. A similar method can make up for any oxygen deficiency. The breathing is deep, the person is relaxed. The lungs are completely filled with air, which allows you to relax perfectly after apical breathing.
Do not worry, if you breathe incorrectly, this can be learned. The practice of tai chi, yoga or any other, where much time is devoted to breathing, will help. Often breathing is taken for granted, underestimating its power, but in vain.
Do not replenish the ranks of fools, always improve and comprehend the new.
Conclusion
Rare children love biology at school. For many, the subject seems boring and uninteresting. But with age there is a reassessment of values and it pleases. After all, the sooner a person begins to be interested in how his body is arranged, the sooner he will find a way to agree.
Many oriental teachings are aimed at knowing oneself and this is the right decision. Indeed, in a modern frantic rhythm, not every person is ready to stop and listen to himself, although this is periodically necessary.
Study your body, your mind, the only way you can understand yourself. You were pleasantly surprised at how interesting, it turns out, the respiratory system is arranged. So it happens in life. The part of life that you least pay attention to, in practice, is the most important.
Listen to yourself, monitor your health, because in youth we lose it so quickly, and try to restore the remaining years. Do not allow negligent attitude to your body, and for this he will say thanks later. You have already seen that even breathing can tell and warn a lot.
It is never too late to learn, especially when it comes to the dearest person - about yourself. By the way, yoga can not only improve the functions of the human respiratory system, but also get rid of other physical and moral problems, so try it.