PowerPoint® to accompany
Medical Assisting
Chapter 30
Second Edition
Ramutkowski • Booth • Pugh • Thompson • Whicker
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
1
The Respiratory System
Objectives
301 Explain the functions of the respiratory system.
302 Explain the difference between internal and external
respiration.
303 Describe how the larynx produces voice sounds.
304 List the structures contained within the lungs.
305 Describe the coverings of the lungs and chest cavity.
306 Describe the events that lead to the inspiration and expiration
of air.
307 Explain how the brain controls breathing and how normal
breathing patterns can be disrupted.
2
The Respiratory System
Objectives (cont.)
308 List and explain various respiratory volumes and tell how
they are used to diagnose respiratory problems.
309 Describe how oxygen is transported from the lungs to body
cells.
3010 Describe how carbon dioxide is transported from body cells
to the lungs.
3011 Describe the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatments of
various respiratory disorders and diseases.
3
The Respiratory System
The major function of the respiratory system is
ventilation (breathing).
This system also functions to deliver oxygen (O2) to
the bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide (CO2)
from the bloodstream.
O2
O2
O2
Exchange of oxygen
and carbon dioxide
CO2
CO2
CO2
4
Organs of the Respiratory System
Organs of the respiratory system:
Nose
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchial tree
Lungs
5
Organs of the Respiratory System
(cont.)
The Nasal Cavity
Nasal septum divides
the cavity into right and
left portions
Nasal conchae extend
from walls of nasal
cavity
Mucous membrane
warms and moistens the
air and cilia helps
eliminate particles
The Paranasal Sinuses
These are airfilled spaces
within the skull bones
Serve to reduce weight of
the skull and give your voice
a certain tone
Skull bones with sinuses
include:
Frontal
Sphenoid
Ethmoid
Maxillae bones
6
Organs of the Respiratory System
(cont.)
The Pharynx
An organ of both the respiratory and digestive
system
The Larynx
Larynx also called the “voice box”
Moves air in and out of the trachea, and produces
voice
Composed of three cartilages:
Thyroid cartilage
Epiglottic cartilage
Cricoid cartilage
7
Organs of the Respiratory System
(cont.)
Vocal Cords
Stretched between the
thyroid cartilage and the
cricoid cartilage
Upper vocal cords are false
cords and lower vocal cords
are true vocal cords.
The glottis is the opening
between the vocal cords
The more vocal cords are
stretched, the higher the
voice pitch.
Posterior
Portion of
Tongue
False
Vocal
Cords
True
Vocal
Cords
Glottis
8
Organs of the Respiratory System
(cont.)
Trachea
Trachea
Referred to as the windpipe
Tubular organ made of rings of
cartilage and smooth muscle
Lined with cells possessing cilia
Extends from the larynx to the bronchi.
Cilia moves mucus up to the
throat where it is swallowed.
Smoking destroys cilia.
9
Organs of the Respiratory System
(cont.)
• Coneshaped organs
• Right lung has three lobes and the left
lung has two lobes
• The membranes surrounding the lungs is
called the pleura
The lungs contain connective tissue, the bronchial tree, nerves, lymphatic
vessels and blood vessels.
10
Apply Your Knowledge
Which of the following sites would be the most lethal if
obstructed by a foreign body?
a. Right bronchus
b. Left bronchiole
c. Trachea
11
Apply Your Knowledge Answer
Which of the following sites would be the most lethal if
obstructed by a foreign body?
a. Right bronchus
b. Left bronchiole
c. Trachea
12
Snoring
Occurs due to vibration of soft tissues when muscles of the
palate, tongue and throat relax.
Affects approximately 50% of men and 25% of women over
the age of 40.
Causes daytime sleepiness and may be associated with sleep
apnea.
Common Causes
• enlargement of tonsils or adenoids
• being overweight
• alcohol consumption
• nasal congestion
• deviated nasal septum
13
Snoring (cont.)
Mayo Clinic’s Sleep Disorders Center rating
of snoring:
Heard from close proximity
Heard from anywhere in the bedroom
Heard from just outside the bedroom door
with door open
Heard outside the bedroom door with the
door closed
14
Snoring (cont.)
Lifestyle Modifications to Reduce Snoring
Lose weight
Change sleeping position
Avoid using alcohol or medications that induce
sleep
Use nasal strips to widen the nasal passages
Use dental devices to keep airways open
Some patients may require surgery to remove excess soft
tissue or a portion of the soft palate.
15
The Mechanisms of Breathing
Inspiration
Expiration
• Air rich in O2 enters the lungs
• Air rich in C0 2 exits the lungs
• The diaphragm relaxes
from the atmosphere
• The diaphragm contracts or
• The intercostal muscles lower the ribs
flattens
• The intercostal muscles raise the
ribs
Breathing or pulmonary ventilation, consist of inspiration (inhalation) and
expiration (exhalation). The medulla oblongata controls the rhythm and
depth of breathing and the pons controls the rate of breathing.
16
Respiratory Volumes
Tidal Volume
Tidal Volume
Inspiratory
Inspiratory
Reserve Volume
Reserve Volume
Expiratory
Expiratory
Reserve Volume
Reserve Volume
Reflects the amount of air that moves in
or out of the lungs during a normal
breath
Amount of air that can be forcefully
inhaled following a normal inhalation
Amount of air that can be forcefully
exhaled following a normal exhalation
17
Respiratory Volumes
Residual
Residual
Volume
Volume
Vital Capacity
Vital Capacity
Total Lung
Total Lung
Capacity
Capacity
Represents the volume of air that
always remains in the lungs even after
a forceful exhalation.
Amount of air that can be forcefully
exhaled after the deepest inhalation
possible.
This measure reflects the total
amount of air the lungs can hold.
18
The Transport of Oxygen and
Carbon Dioxide in the Blood
Most of the body’s oxygen binds to
hemoglobin in the red blood cells. This
transport system is called oxyhemoglobin.
When carbon dioxide gets into the
bloodstream bicarbonate ions are formed and
bicarbonate ions
some carbon dioxide binds to hemoglobin.
When bicarbonate ions reach the lungs, an
enzyme changes them back into carbon
dioxide and water.
19
Apply Your Knowledge
The medical assistant working for a general practitioner is taking the
medical history of a new patient. The patient states “Even after sleeping
8 to 9 hours I still feel really tired.” The patient’s spouse states, “Well you
sure snore loud, as if the sleep is so good.”
Which of the following is a possible cause for the excessive fatigue?
a. Periods of apnea
b. Depression
c. Tuberculosis
20
Apply Your Knowledge Answer
The medical assistant working for a general practitioner is taking the
medical history of a new patient. The patient states “Even after sleeping
89 hours I still feel really tired.” The patient’s spouse states, “Well you
sure snore loud, as if the sleep is so good.”
Which of the following is a possible cause for the excessive fatigue?
a. Periods of apnea
b. Depression
c. Tuberculosis
21
Common Respiratory Conditions
Asthma is a condition in which the bronchial
tree becomes obstructed due to inflammation
Causes includes allergens, cigarette smoke,
pollutants, cold temperatures and exercise
Signs and symptoms include difficulty
breathing, wheezing, coughing, and a tight feeling
in the chest
Treatment include avoidance of allergens,
steroid inhalers, bronchodilators and stopping
smoking
22
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)
Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi
Bronchitis
May be caused by viruses, gastroesophageal
reflux, exposure to cigarette smoke, pollutants
and fumes.
Signs and symptoms includes chills, fever,
difficulty breathing, coughing up yellowgray or
green mucus, chest tightness, wheezing and
difficulty breathing
Treatment with rest, fluids, cough medicines,
humidifiers, inhalers and antibiotics for smokers
23
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)
Disease
Causes
Signs &
Symptoms
Chronic
Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease
Cigarette smoke
and air pollution
Emphysema
Cigarette smoke, Chronic cough,
pollutants, dust
weight loss,
fatigue,
shortness of
breath
Fatigue,
difficulty
breathing &
frequent
coughing
Treatments
Lifestyle changes,
inhalers, stop
smoking
Stop smoking,
vaccinations,
antibiotics,
oxygen,
bronchodilators
24
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)
Disease
Causes
Signs and
Symptoms
Treatment
Influenza (Flu)
Numerous viruses
Runny nose, sore Bed rest, fluids,
throat, sneezing, antiviral
fever, chills,
medications
diarrhea, loss of
appetite
Laryngitis
Viruses, bacteria,
excessive talking,
allergies, smoking,
frequent use of
alcohol
Hoarse voice,
sore throat, dry
cough and throat
Antibiotics,
avoidance of
cigarettes and
alcohol
25