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Kemrick Tiu posted an update in the group
(MT 30) Medical Histology – F (LAB) 2 years ago KEMRICK C. TIU
BSMT – II
MT 30 LAB – F
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Good Day, everyone!! Attached below is a picture of my Activity 7 (The Respiratory System). Included in this post are descriptions and some functions of the respiratory system posted.
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RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The respiratory system enables breathing by bringing oxygen into the body and expelling carbon dioxide. It includes organs like the lungs, nose, mouth, and airways, which work together to facilitate gas exchange. The system warms and moisturizes inhaled air, protects against harmful particles, enables speech and smell, and maintains the body’s acid-base balance. Key components include the upper respiratory tract (nose, mouth, throat) and lower respiratory tract (trachea, bronchi, lungs). During inhalation, air travels through the respiratory tract into the lungs, where oxygen is exchanged with carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. The system also clears out irritants through mechanisms like mucus production and coughing (Cleveland Clinic, 2024).
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––BRONCHIOLES––
Bronchioles are small air passages in the lungs branching from the bronchi, measuring 0.3 to 1 mm in diameter. There are three types: lobular, respiratory, and terminal bronchioles. The lobular and terminal bronchioles are considered “dead space” as no air exchange occurs there. Bronchioles are supported by elastin fibers and have a thin lining called lamina propria surrounded by smooth muscle. They contain cilia, which move debris out of the airways, and club cells, which secrete surfactants to keep airways open. Bronchioles deliver air to about 300 million alveoli and regulate airflow through constriction and dilation (Eldridge, 2024).––LUNGS––
The lungs are a crucial part of the respiratory system, allowing for breathing. Located in the chest, the right lung is divided into three lobes while the left lung has two lobes to accommodate the heart, both covered by pleural tissue. They function to provide oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide, performing this process 12 to 20 times per minute. Air travels from the nose or mouth through the pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, bronchi, and bronchioles, ending in alveoli where gas exchange occurs. Oxygenated blood then circulates through the body, while carbon dioxide is expelled during exhalation. The respiratory system filters harmful substances using nasal hairs, mucus, and cilia. Interesting facts include the ability to live with one lung, lungs floating in water, and exercise improving lung capacity. Healthy lungs are pinkish-gray, while damaged lungs are darker with black spots (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
––TRACHEA––
The trachea, a tube-like structure in the neck and upper chest, runs from the larynx to the bronchi, facilitating air transport to and from the lungs. When a person breathes, air travels through the nose or mouth, down the trachea, and into the lungs, then back up and out. Typically about 11.8 centimeters long, it is longer in males than females. Lined with a mucous membrane and cilia, the trachea captures and expels debris and pathogens. Soft tissue comprises most of the trachea, with cartilage providing support. Positioned parallel and in front of the esophagus, it has a mechanism to prevent food or drink from entering during swallowing. If food enters, it induces coughing to clear the airway. The trachea’s primary function is air transport, but it also defends against disease and regulates air temperature and humidity (Fletcher, 2024).
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REFERENCES:—–Cleveland Clinic. (2022, August 15). Lungs. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/8960-lungs
—–Cleveland Clinic. (2024, April 2). Respiratory system. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21205-respiratory-system
—–Eldridge, L., MD. (2024, April 4). What are the bronchioles? Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/bronchioles-anatomy-function-and-diseases-2248931
—–Fletcher, J. (2024, January 23). Trachea: Everything you need to know. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/trachea
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