23: Introduction to the Respiratory System
- Page ID
- 90337
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 23.0: Introduction
- This page describes the respiratory system's crucial role in breathing, highlighting its dependence on the nervous, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. It is divided into three sections: the upper and lower respiratory systems and the process of oxygenation and gas exchange. The chapter outlines the structure and function of the respiratory components, discusses common respiratory conditions, and examines aspects of oxygenation and gas exchange.
- 23.1: Introduction to the Upper Respiratory System
- This page discusses the upper respiratory system's structure and functions, including components like the nose, mouth, and larynx, which aid in breathing and air filtration. It also addresses common conditions such as rhinitis and sinusitis, focusing on their inflammatory symptoms. Treatment options vary and may include antihistamines, decongestants, and antibiotics based on the underlying cause.
- 23.2: Introduction to the Lower Respiratory System
- This page details the lower respiratory system's structure and function, focusing on the trachea, bronchi, and alveoli involved in gas exchange. It covers common conditions like asthma and COPD, including their symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments. The importance of pulmonary function tests and preventive measures such as smoking cessation is also highlighted.
- 23.3: Oxygenation and Gas Exchange
- This page discusses the lungs' vital roles in oxygenation and gas exchange, highlighting how oxygen is delivered to cells via hemoglobin, with normal saturation levels of 95%-100%. It defines hypoxemia as low blood oxygen, which can be life-threatening. The gas exchange process in the lungs, involving ventilation, diffusion, and perfusion, is explained, emphasizing the importance of effective ventilation in maintaining blood pH and perfusion in delivering oxygen to tissues and organs.
- 23.4: Chapter Summary
- This page details the respiratory system, outlining its upper components (nose, nasal cavity, mouth, pharynx, larynx) for air intake and warming, and lower components (trachea, lungs, bronchi, bronchioles) where gas exchange takes place. It addresses common disorders like pharyngitis, rhinitis, and asthma while defining key processes such as gas exchange, oxygenation, ventilation, perfusion, and diffusion, emphasizing their importance in respiration and blood circulation.
- 23.5: Key Terms
- This page provides an overview of respiratory conditions, focusing on asthma, chronic bronchitis, and COPD, which impair airflow and breathing. It explains essential processes such as diffusion, gas exchange, oxygenation, and perfusion. Inflammation-related issues like laryngitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, and sinusitis are also covered. Finally, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are introduced as a method for evaluating lung performance.
- 23.6: Review Questions
- This page discusses respiratory conditions including rhinitis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema, focusing on symptom tracking, nursing responses, and prevention strategies. It highlights significant assessment findings such as wheezing and oxygen saturation levels. Practical recommendations for managing sinusitis and educating clients on respiratory health are also provided.


