Based on the best selling text: An Introduction to Medical Terminology for Health Care (Fifth edition) by A.R.Hutton published by Elsevier Ltd
The interactive learning material in this unit is arranged into five sections:
Click on a section and complete the exercises in the sequence they are presented. Note: FlashCards for revision of this unit are at the end of Section 4.
A short list of abbreviations, pathological conditions, clinical procedures and laboratory tests associated with the respiratory system is available from theWord Check.
Back to IMT Topic ListThe respiratory system consists of a group of organs that interact to
provide body cells with a continuous supply of oxygen. As oxygen enters
the body, carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, is removed.
Air enters the paired lungs through the upper respiratory tract during
breathing. Breathing is the mechanism that ventilates the lungs and
consists of two movements, inspiration and expiration. During inspiration,
the intercostal muscles and diaphragm contract to expand the lungs
increasing their volume. As volume increases, the pressure within
decreases causing air to move from the nose into the body. During
expiration, the intercostal muscles and diaphragm relax and elastic recoil
returns the lungs to their original volume. As volume decreases, pressure
increases forcing air out of the lungs.
While air is in the lungs, gaseous exchange takes place across the surface
of the microscopic alveoli or air sacs. in this process oxygen is
exchanged for carbon dioxide. Oxygen diffuses into the blood from inspired
air and is used by body cells for aerobic respiration to release energy
from food. Carbon dioxide, a waste product of aerobic respiration diffuses
out of the blood into the alveoli and leaves the body in expired air.
Before beginning the word exercises, check the position of the main components of the respiratory system.