RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Upper Respiratory Tract
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Nose – Entry point for air; filters, warms, and moistens it.
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Nasal cavity – Contains mucus and cilia to trap dust and microbes.
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Pharynx (throat) – Passageway for both air and food.
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Larynx (voice box) – Produces sound and protects the airway.
Lower Respiratory Tract
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Trachea (windpipe) – Main airway supported by cartilage rings.
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Bronchi – Two main tubes (left and right) branching from the trachea into each lung.
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Bronchioles – Smaller branches of the bronchi that distribute air throughout the lungs.
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Alveoli – Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs.
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Lungs – Pair of organs that contain the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.
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Diaphragm – Dome-shaped muscle below the lungs that enables breathing.
FUNCTION OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM:
Main Functions
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Ventilation: Moving air in and out of the lungs (breathing).
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Gas exchange: Oxygen ↔ carbon dioxide swap in the lungs and tissues.
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Speech production: Air passing through vocal cords.
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Smell: Air carrying odor molecules to olfactory receptors.
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Protection: Filtering, warming, and humidifying air.
1. Air Enters the Body
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Air enters through the nose or mouth.
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The nose filters, warms, and moistens the air.
2. Air Passes Through the Pharynx and Larynx
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Air moves to the pharynx (throat).
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Then it passes through the larynx (voice box).
3. Air Travels Down the Trachea
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The air goes down the trachea (windpipe), which is kept open by cartilage rings.
4. Air Enters the Bronchi and Bronchioles
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The trachea divides into two bronchi, one for each lung.
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Inside the lungs, the bronchi branch into smaller tubes called bronchioles.
5. Air Reaches the Alveoli
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The bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli.
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Alveoli are surrounded by capillaries (tiny blood vessels).
6. Gas Exchange Occurs
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Oxygen from the inhaled air passes into the blood.
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Carbon dioxide from the blood moves into the alveoli.
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This is where the major function—gas exchange—happens.
7. Oxygen Is Transported Throughout the Body
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The oxygen-rich blood travels from the lungs to the heart.
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The heart pumps it to the rest of the body.
8. Carbon Dioxide Is Exhaled
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The diaphragm and chest muscles relax.
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Carbon dioxide leaves the body when you exhale.
9. Regulation of Breathing
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The brain monitors CO₂ levels in the blood.
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It adjusts the breathing rate to maintain normal oxygen and CO₂ balance.
HOW BREATHING WORKS:
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Inhalation:
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Diaphragm contracts → moves downward
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Rib muscles lift the chest
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Lung volume increases → air flows in
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Gas Exchange:
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Oxygen diffuses from alveoli → blood
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CO₂ diffuses from blood → alveoli
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Exhalation:
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Diaphragm relaxes → moves upward
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Chest cavity shrinks
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Air pushed out
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Asthma – airway inflammation causing wheezing and shortness of breath
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Pneumonia – infection of lung tissue
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COPD (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis)
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COVID-19 – viral infection affecting lung function
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Allergic rhinitis – inflammation of nasal passages

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