What is Respiratory System?

     Is a biological system consisting of specific organs and structures used for the process of respiration in an organism. The respiratory system is involved in the intake and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between an organism and the environment.In air-breathing vertebrates like human beings, respiration takes place in the respiratory organs called lungs. The passage of air into the lungs to supply the body with oxygen is known as inhalation, and the passage of air out of the lungs to expel carbon dioxide is known as exhalation; this process is collectively called breathing or ventilation.

What is Circulatory System?

           
Is an organ system that permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients (such as amino acids and electrolytes), oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormone, and blood cells to and from cells in the body to nourish it and help to fight diseases, stabilize body temperature and ph, and to maintain homeotasis.

Parts and function of the Respiratory System

• Nostrils- are involved in air intake, i.e. they bring air into the nose, where air is warmed and humidified. The tiny hairs called cilia filters out dust and other particles present in the air and protects the nasal passage and other regions of the respiratory tract.

• Trachea- is also known as windpipe. The trachea filters the air we inhale and branches into the bronchi.

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  Bronchi- The bronchi are the two air tubes that branch off of from the trachea and carry atmospheric air directly into the

• Lungs- The main organ of the respiratory system is lungs. Lungs are the site in body where oxygen is taken into and carbon dioxide is expelled out. The red blood cells present in the blood picks up the oxygen in the lungs and carry and distribute the oxygen to all body cells that need it. The red blood cells donate the oxygen to the cells and picks up the carbon dioxide produced by the cells.

• Alveoli- is the tiny sac like structure present in the lungs which the gaseous exchange takes place.

• Diaphragm- Breathing begins with a dome-shaped muscle located at the bottom of the lungs which is known as diaphragm. When we breathe in the diaphragm contracts and flatten out and pull downward. Due to this movement the space in the lungs increases and pulls air into the lungs. When we breathe out, the diaphragm expands and reduces the amount of space for the lungs and forces air out.

(watch this video--->https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZzn_8ztPMA)

Parts and functions of  the Circulatory System

• Heart- About the size of two adult hands held together, the heart sits near the center of the chest. Thanks to consistent pumping, the heart keeps the circulatory system working.

            * Aorta - the body's largest artery. It takes oxygenated blood from the left ventricle out to the body. 

           * Arteries - carry blood AWAY from the heart 
           * Vena Cava - the largest vein in the body, it carries blood from the body back to the heart (consists of superior and inferior vena cava) 
          * Veins - carry blood TOWARDS the heart 
          * Pulmonary Arteries - carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. 
          * Pulmonary Veins - take oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium 
          * Oxygenated blood - blood carrying oxygen after leaving the lungs (blood passes through pulmonary veins back to the heart, enters left atrium, pumped to body by left ventricle) 
          * Deoxygenated blood - blood carrying little oxygen, and carbon dioxide (blood returning the the right atrium, and pumped by the right ventricle through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs)
          * Right Atrium - receives deoxygenated blood from the body, mostly through the inferior and superior vena cava 
          * Right Ventricle - pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary arteries          * Left Atrium - receives oxygenated blood from the lungs             * Left Ventricle - pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta 
         * Coronary Vessels - supply the heart muscle with its blood supply 
         * Bicuspid Valve - (mitral valve) valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle. 
         * Tricuspid Valve - valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle. 

• Arteries-Arteries carry blood rich in oxygen away from the heart and where they need to go.

• Veins-Veins carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs where they receive oxygen.

• Blood- is the carrier of nearly everything for the body. It transports hormones, nutrients, oxygen, antibodies, and other important things needed to keep the body healthy.

(watch this--->https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE8tGkP5_tc)

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Circulatory System Diseases

• Myocardial infarction (MI)- You know we are talking about heart muscle, right, myocardial? An infarction is blockage of blood flow resulting in death of muscle tissue. Layman’s language for this is a “heart attack.”

• Mitral prolapse, stenosis, regurgitation- The left valve, called atrioventricular, for the chambers it separates, is also called the mitral valve, because it is shaped like an upside down Bishop’s hat, a miter. If the flaps of this valve tear away due to disease, the process is called prolapse, “a falling forward.” This results in leakage and backward flow called “regurgitation” (get the picture?). Sometimes a valve is abnormally narrow causing partial obstruction constricting flow. Stenosis means “a narrowing.”

• Angina pectoris- Literally, “pain in the chest.” But, this is a special kind of pain associated with the heart and is distinctive as “crushing, vise-like”, and often accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue and nausea. Anginal pain indicates not enough blood is getting to the heart muscle, and the heart is protesting and begging for more. People with a history of angina often take nitroglycerine tablets to relieve the pain by increasing blood flow to the heart muscle.

• Arrhythmia/dysrhythmia- Abnormal heart rates and rhythms all have special names like ventricular tachycardia, fibrillation, but generically are termed arrhythmias or dysrhythmia, meaning “no rhythm” and “abnormal rhythm.” There are fine distinctions between the two, but they are often used interchangeably.

• Ischemia- Sometimes the heart muscle is not getting enough blood flow, more importantly, the oxygen the blood carries is insufficient to sustain muscle which has a very high metabolic rate, and oxygen demand. The term loosely means “not quite enough blood.” Typically, the patient suffers angina pain (see above) and they may think they are having a heart attack. And, they may be!

• Rheumatic Heart Disease- It is an inflammatory condition that mainly involves cardiac valves as a result of chronic history of untreated or poorly managed rheumatic fever. The condition is mainly associated with strep-throat infection that may lead to obstruction of the heart valves or insufficiency as a result of auto-immune destruction.

• Hypertension- Hypertension is the most common vascular disorder that has become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in all parts of the world. Hypertension occurs when the heart pump blood through the narrow vessels as a result of atherosclerosis or stiffening of arteries due to aging or inherited vascular conditions. The pumping through the narrowed vessel consistently increases the systolic and diastolic pressure above normal reference range. Increased work load of heart leads to damaged tissues and increases the risk of cardiac diseases, kidney diseases, aneurysms and stroke.

• Aortic Aneurysm-It is the abnormal dilatation of the aorta leading to the weakening of the walls. Large or fast growing aortic aneurysm can rupture that can lead to severe pain; massive internal bleeding and even death if not treated immediately.

• Deep Vein Thrombosis- Development of a blood clot as a result of stasis of blood or hypercoaguable state like pregnancy, Protein C and S deficiency and other factors in the deep veins of the leg is referred to as deep vein thrombosis. In most situations, the thrombus is asymptomatic and concealed but may also present with mild to moderate pain, discoloration and swelling in the affected area of leg. It usually develops during periods of prolonged immobility like orthopedic or spinal surgery, and hypercoagulable states. The most dreadful complication of DVT is the dislodgment of thrombus that may block pulmonary vessels leading to pulmonary embolism.

• Atherosclerosis- is a chronic vascular disease that may remain asymptomatic for many years leading to the hardening of the arteries due to the accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the arterial walls. The condition usually affects medium and large arteries. If untreated the condition may lead to complete occlusion of the vessel leading to cessation of blood supply to the heart or brain. Smoking, alcohol, diabetes, cholesterol and hypertension increase the risk of atherosclerosis. 

• .Polyarteritis Nodosa-It is a serious inflammatory disease of unknown etiology affecting small to medium sized arteries, but latest research suggests a possible association with hepatitis B infection. Polyarteritis Nodosa is characterized by muscle and joint aches, fever, night sweats, fatigue, and weight loss. Treatment modalities are mostly dependent on the extent of the illness, and the parts of the body involved. Most commonly used drugs are corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive therapies.

• Coronary Artery Disease- is one of the common vascular diseases marked by accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary blood vessels. As the plaque thickens, secondary changes may take place like enlargement of size and calcification that may lead to complete occlusion of lumen of the coronary artery, resulting in inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle.

• Peripheral Vascular Disease- is also called peripheral artery disease. It is a vascular disorder marked by obstruction of large arteries of the legs and hands. It causes either acute or chronic ischemia due to atherosclerosis or inflammatory processes

• .Hypercholesterolemia- refers to high cholesterol level. There are mainly two types of cholesterol, one is low-density lipoproteins (LDL) that is not good for the body and other is high-density lipoproteins (HDL) that is considered good quality cholesterol because of its cardio-protective properties. Elevated LDL levels increase the risk for heart diseases and stroke.

Respiratory System Diseases

• Pneumoconiosis - literally, “an abnormal condition of dust in the lungs.” A generic name for conditions where toxic particles become trapped in the lungs and cause symptoms and disability such a “black lung” or “miner’s lung” disease. Terms specific to the particulate matter may be given such as asbestosis.

• Epistaxis - want a fancier name for a “nosebleed?” You got it!

• Cystic fibrosis - an inheritable disease that affects not only the lungs but other systems producing mucous such as the digestive system. Patients suffer frequent lung infections that are hard to treat because mucous is thick and sluggish and result in increased scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs. They also take multiple enzyme pills because of digestive abnormalities related to abnormal mucous production.

• Emphysema (COPD) - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, of which emphysema is one of, results in progressive destruction of the air sacs in the lungs and loss of respiratory membrane for oxygen exchange. The bane of long term smoke.

• Laryngitis- Swelling and irritation of the larynx

• Bronchitis - An infection in your bronchial tubes

• Tonsillitis- Inflammation of the tonsils

• Pneumonia - An infection deep in your lungs

• Bronchiectasis - Widening and destruction of the airways, often caused by recurrent infection or inflammation

• Influenza(the flu) - A virus that enters your body through your nose and mouth and causes fever, headaches, muscle aches and sore throat

• asthma - A chronic disease in which your airway walls become sore and swollen, narrowing so that your lungs get less air

• tuberculosis- A bacterial infection that attacks the lungs and other parts of the body and can be deadly if not treated correctly

• Lung Cancer- One of the most common cancers in the world, usually caused by cigarette smoke

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Damage of the airways and air sacs from cigarette smoke and other pollutants that prevents airflow in and out of your lungs

• Emphysema- A type of COPD, usually caused by cigarette smoke, which makes it hard to catch your breath)

• Pulmonary Embolism (PE) - A blood clot that blocks a lung artery because of surgery or long periods of inactivity