The respiratory system in our body supports life by oxygenating every cell. Without breathing, a person cannot exist, 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 is this
The respiratory system is designed to make breathing easier by exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen. Like any other system, it is complex, so you need to know what it is.
The respiratory system consists of the upper and lower airways. It's more of a mess, isn't it? Everything is as easy as shelling pears: one section of the system is occupied with the processing of air, and the other transports air and performs gas exchange.
What organs are included in the upper and lower respiratory tract? Let's take a closer look.
Upper paths
What does this include?
- Sines.
- Nose.
- Larynx.
- Throat.
It is they who process the air, a person breathes through them.
Lower paths
These organsinvisible to the human eye.
- Light.
- Bronchi.
- Tracheae.
They are busy transporting air throughout the body and exchanging gases.
The upper and lower airways are protected differently. Or rather, the upper ones have no protection at all, but the lower ones are protected by a chest of 12 pairs of ribs, 12 vertebrae and the sternum, where the ribs are attached.
When it is clear where and what 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.
The nose has a bone that forms the back, a conch that forms the wings of the nose, and a septal 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's inside? There is a ciliated mucous membrane, which consists of cells, and the cilia work as a filter. The cells produce mucus, thanks to which all foreign bodies that find themselves in the nose are retained.
Throat
Is one of the components of the respiratory system. The nasal cavity flows into the pharynx. This is the name of the back of the throat, which is covered with a mucous membrane. The organ is formed by fibrous and muscular tissue and is divided into three sections:
- Nasopharynx. Provides air flow during nasal breathing. It is directly connected with the auditory tubes, which contain mucus. Through these same tubes, the infection that is in the throat can easily go to the ears. Hereare the adenoids. Their function is to filter harmful air particles.
- Oropharynx. So called the path for the passage of food and inhaled air. The tonsils are also located here, performing the same function as the adenoids.
- Hyaryopharynx. The compartment allows food to pass through before falling into the esophagus. By the way, this is where the digestive tract begins.
Sines
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. The sinuses are covered with a mucous membrane. If mucus lingers in them, then this can cause headaches.
Larynx
The anatomy of the larynx is quite simple. The body is divided into three sections:
- The threshold. This is the upper part of the larynx, which stretches to the epiglottis. It has mucosal folds 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 intercartilaginous 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 enters further along it and is still being cleaned. The organ has cartilages that form the vocal folds. They also make up the epiglottis, which prevents food from entering theairways during swallowing.
There are three types of membranes in the larynx - connective tissue, fibrocartilaginous and mucous.
As for the functions, she also has three of them:
- Protective. Nerve endings cause coughing if food is inhaled.
- Respiratory. The air moves in the right direction due to the fact that the glottis expands and contracts.
- Voice-forming. It is the state and structure of the vocal cords that determine the timbre of the voice and other characteristics.
The larynx is an important organ responsible for the production of speech.
Trachea
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 arcuate tracheal cartilages. By the way, different people will have different amounts of these cartilages. 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 near 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, let's figure out which layers are for what.
- The stratified ciliated epithelium lies within the basement membrane and forms the mucosa. The composition of the epithelium includes goblet stem cells. They secrete some mucus, but are still necessary. This layer is richcellular structures that produce serotonin and norepinephrine.
- Loose connective tissue is a submucosal layer. It has a lot of nerve fibers and blood vessels that are responsible for the 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 during the passage of food.
- Adventitial sheath. 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 air flow to the lungs. It also performs the function of protection, when small structures enter the windpipe along with air, they are enveloped in mucus. With the help of cilia, particles are pushed first into the larynx, and then into the pharynx.
Bronchi
What is the structure of the bronchi? Before disassembling, let's explain what it is. The bronchi are 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 is also made up of arcuate cartilage.
The place where the main bronchus enters the lungs is called the gate. After passing through the gate, the bronchi branch into bronchioles. The latter pass into the alveoli, which are small spherical sacs shrouded in vessels.
The branches of the bronchi are of different sizes, but they are combined and called bronchi altree.
The organ has walls consisting of several layers. Let's take a look at them:
- Fibrocartilaginous.
- External. This also includes connective tissue.
- Submucus. At the base of this layer is loose fibrous tissue.
The inner mucosal layer consists of columnar 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, humidify 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 the cough reflex is formed, which helps to remove dust and small particles from the body.
This is how important the bronchi are in the human respiratory system.
Light
This body is arranged according to the pair principle. Each lung has several lobes, and 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 be incomplete without this organ, because it completes the entire human respiratory system.
Each lung is densely pierced with branches of the bronchial tree. The pulmonary alveoli are involved in gas exchange processes. They convert oxygen into carbon dioxide, which is exhaled.
But do not think that the lungs are involved only in breathing. They have many other important tasks:
- Derivationalcohol vapors, ethers, toxins.
- Maintaining the acid-base balance is normal.
- Evaporation of water. The lungs are able to 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 it.
- Participate in the immune system.
- Help blood clot.
Scientists have found out long ago that our capabilities decline with age. The same applies to the lungs, the anatomy of the upper and lower respiratory tract is such that in the process of 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 we breathe
We have already considered the functions of the upper and lower respiratory tract, it's time to understand the breath itself. This is the name given to 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, and some energy is released.
Since school, we know that all the cells of our body must always receive oxygen, the only way to sustain life. When oxygen is taken in, 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 steps:
- Exhale.
- Inhale.
- Transportation.
- External breathing.
- Cellular respiration.
You see that breathing is not as easy as it seems. That is why a person cannot live longer than three minutes without oxygen, while a lack 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 to breathe.
A person can breathe both through the mouth and through the nose. We have already analyzed the functions of the respiratory system, so we can say with confidence that it will be most correct to breathe through the nose. And here's why:
- Cilia located on the mucous membrane in the nose filter the air from foreign particles. They either enter the laryngopharynx and the person swallows them, or they are thrown out through blowing their nose or sneezing.
- If you breathe through your nose, then the air will enter the body already warm.
- Water from the mucus in the nose moisturizes the air.
- Nerve endings recognize odors and relay information to the brain.
Breathe through the mouth, a person deprives himself of all this.
What is breath
Even at school, in biology lessons, the respiratory system is devoted to a lot of classes. And all this is not in vain, because we must know how our body works. Now, after the passage of time, a rare adult, if he is not a doctor, can answer the question of what happens when you exhale or inhale. We will remind you.
When a person inhales air, the diaphragm does not just contract, it shifts down the abdominalcavity. The intercostal muscles also contract, while the ribs themselves expand and rise. The pressure in the lungs decreases, 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 exhaling, the diaphragm returns to its domed shape and contracts. The ribs are in place, and the intercostal muscles gradually relax. In the lungs, the pressure increases, while the air pressure, on the contrary, decreases. The chest cavity takes on its original shape. The elastic band helps push the air out of the lungs. The abdominal muscles contract, thereby lifting the abdominal cavity and increasing exhalation.
As soon as the person exhales, there is a pause. At this time, the pressure outside and in the lungs is the same. This state is called equilibrium.
People do not need to make a conscious effort to breathe, because the process is controlled by the nervous system.
By the frequency of breathing, you can determine the state of the body. 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 evens out.
Types of breathing
Breathing comes in several forms, each of which is very important. Let's analyze them in more detail.
- External breathing. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the blood of the alveoli of the lungs. Gas exchange is carried out due to the fact that the pressure and concentration in the capillaries and alveoli are different. The air that enters the alveoli is undergreater pressure than the blood in the capillaries. For this reason, oxygen easily passes into the blood and increases pressure. After pressure equalization, the process stops. This is called diffusion.
- Internal breathing. Thanks to transport, 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 constantly.
- Cellular respiration. This is the name of the process when the cell produces carbon dioxide and absorbs oxygen. Cells need it to produce energy. To satisfy all the needs of the body, it is necessary to monitor the depth and frequency of breathing. Breathing efficiency can be reduced due to several factors, such as poor posture, stress, and this despite the fact that the nervous system is in control.
Types of breathing
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 he alth problems.
So, lateral costal breathing. So called normal breathing, during which all the body's needs for oxygen are satisfied. With this 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. This is how a person breathes, whom he wants to saturate his muscles with oxygen. A striking example would be childbirth, sports, 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 like this, the air only reaches the upper lobes of the lungs.
Diaphragmatic breathing. A similar method can make up for any oxygen deficiency. Breathing is deep, the person is relaxed. The lungs are completely filled with air, which allows you to perfectly rest after apical breathing.
Don't worry if your breathing isn't right, it can be learned. The practice of tai chi, yoga or any other, where a lot of time is devoted to breathing, will help. Breathing is often taken for granted, underestimating its power, but in vain.
Don't join the ranks of fools, always improve and learn new things.
Conclusion
Rare kids love biology at school. To many, the subject seems boring and uninteresting. But with age, there is a reassessment of values and this pleases. After all, the sooner a person begins to be interested in how his body works, the sooner he will find a way to negotiate.
Many Eastern teachings are aimed at self-knowledge and this is the right decision. Indeed, in today's frantic pace, not every person is ready to stop and listen to himself, although this is necessary from time to time.
Study your body, your mind, the only way you can understand yourself. You were pleasantly surprisedhow interesting, it turns out, the respiratory system is arranged. That's how it happens in life. The part of life that you pay least attention to is actually the most important.
Listen to yourself, take care of your he alth, because in youth we lose it so quickly, and the remaining years we try to restore. Do not allow negligent attitude to your body, and for this he will thank you later. You have already seen that even breathing can tell a lot and warn.
It's never too late to learn, especially when it comes to the dearest person - 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.
