Introduction to the respiratory system

Introduction to the respiratory system
It is a major system in the body which concern by many functions but mainly the respiration which is getting O2 from the outside & expire CO2 to the outside.
Primary Function: to obtain O2 for use by body’s cells & to eliminate CO2 that body cells produce ,it consists of two separate but related processes :
Internal Respiration ( Oxidative Phosphorylation or cell breathing ) External Respiration ( Exchange of O2 and CO2 between the atmosphere and body tissues)
So the respiration mean to the cell level so the blood transport ,flow & ultra-structures of the cell defect can affect respiration.
Secondary Functions:
• Short-term pH regulation (acid-base balance)
• Enabling speech & other vocalizations
• Defence against pathogens in the airways
• Removes, modifies, activates, or inactivates various materials passing through the pulmonary circulation
• Eliminates heat & water
• Assists venous return
• Nose serves as the organ of smell
The applied anatomy:
The respiratory system consist mainly of the respiratory passages, lung parenchyma with gas exchange units , respiratory vasculatures & the extra-pulmonary structures as the pleura, pleural space & the respiratory muscles