Four Events Of The Respiratory System

The respiratory system carries out gas exchange; major organs in the system include: the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. The major function of the respiratory system is to supply the body with oxygen and dispose of carbon dioxide. In order for this to happen, at least four events called respiration must occur.
The first is the pulmonary ventilation. The air must move in and out of the lungs so that the gases in the alveoli are continuously refreshed. This process is better known as “breathing”. Next is external respiration, when a gas exchange between the alveoli and the pulmonary blood must take place. Then there is respiratory gas transport, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are transported to and from tissue cells and
lungs of the body through the blood stream.
Lastly, internal respiration occurs at the systemic capillaries, where gas exchanges are made between tissue cells and blood.
Gas exchanges are all occurring inside of the body. Even though only the first two mentioned are the special responsibility, all processes are needed to accomplish its goals of gas exchange. In terms each process is explained in the next.
The respiratory and cardiovascular systems have the same responsibility of supplying oxygen and disposing carbon dioxide in the body. The organs of the respiratory system oversee gas exchange that occurs in the blood and external environment. Using the blood as a primary transporting fluid the cardiovascular systems organs transport the respiratory gases between lungs and tissue cells. If either one of the systems were to fail, the bodies cell would begin to die from oxygen starvation and the accumulation of carbon dioxide. The respiratory and lymphatic systems are both needed for proper function of the cardiovascular system. The respiratory system provides the oxygen that the lymphatic system maintains the volume of for gas transport. The tonsils and the pharynx houses immune cells and dispose carbon dioxide so that the immune system can protect the respiratory organs from infection and
cancer. A major cause of death and disability in the U.S. is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can be worsened or brought on by emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. These two diseases have a few features in common: 1) Most of the COPD victims are hypoxic, have respiratory acidosis, retain carbon dioxide, and eventually develop respiratory failure. 2) Frequent pulmonary infections, and coughing. 3) History of smoking. 4) Difficulty breathing, which over time becomes more severe. In emphysema the alveoli will enlarge as the walls of chambers break through, allowing chronic inflammation to promote fibrosis of the lungs. When the lungs become less elastic, the airways collapse during expiration and obstruct outflow of air. This results in an incredible amount of energy being need to inhale and exhale. In chronic bronchitis, the mucosa within the lower respiratory passages, becoming severely inflamed and producing a great amount of mucus. The accumulated mucus impairs ventilation and gas exchange, dramatically increasing the risk of lung infections.