The human respiratory system: the organs involved and how they work

The average human breathes about 17-30 thousand times per day. Now, to be able to breathe properly, humans need to be supported by a healthy respiratory system. Apart from relying on the nose and lungs for breathing, there are a variety of other organs and tissues that play an equally important role in the respiratory system. Anything?

Why do humans breathe?

Normally, adult humans breathe 12-16 times per minute while at rest. Breathing is the process of inhaling oxygen-containing air and removing carbon dioxide from the lungs. One series of inhales and exhales counts as 1 breath. This process is also called the human respiration system.

You need oxygen to survive. Various daily body functions such as digesting food, moving limbs, or even just thinking for a moment require oxygen intake.

Reporting from the American Lung Association, the human respiratory system functions to provide consistent oxygen intake so that all body functions work properly.

Meanwhile, the metabolic process will produce carbon dioxide gas as a waste product that must be disposed of. The process of removing carbon dioxide is also the responsibility of the respiratory system.

In addition, the respiratory system also works to protect the body from foreign substances and harmful particles through natural defense mechanisms such as coughing, sneezing and the ability to swallow.

Breathing that runs smoothly is the result of the work of the respective tissues and organs that make up the human respiratory system. The human respiratory system is divided into two parts, namely the upper respiratory organs and the lower respiratory organs.

Upper respiratory system organs

Upper and lower respiratory system organs

1. Nose

The nose is the main gateway for air in and out every time you breathe. The inner walls of the nose are covered with fine hairs which function to filter impurities from the air you breathe.

Apart from the nose, air can also enter and leave the mouth. Usually, it is always done when you need more air (when you exhaust yourself from exercising) or when your nose is congested due to colds and flu.

2. Sinus

The sinuses are the air cavities in the skull bones. This cavity is located on either side of the nose near the cheekbones, behind the nasal bones, between the eyes, and in the middle of the forehead.

In the human respiratory system, the sinuses help regulate the temperature and humidity of the air you breathe from your nose.

3. Adenoids

Adenoids are the lymph nodes in the throat. In the adenoids there are cell nodes and connecting blood vessels that carry fluids throughout the body.

Adenoids help you fight infection by filtering out foreign bodies such as germs, and producing lymphocytes to kill them.

4. Tonsils

Tonsils are another name for tonsils. The tonsils themselves are lymph nodes that are in the wall of the pharynx (throat).

The tonsils are not really an important part of the human immune or respiratory system. If the tonsils become infected and inflamed, doctors can remove or remove them surgically.

5. Pharynx

The pharynx (upper throat) is the tube behind the mouth and nasal cavity that connects them to the other respiratory tract, namely the trachea.

As part of the human respiration system, the pharynx functions to channel air flow from the nose and mouth to the trachea (windpipe).

6. Epiglottis

The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped fold of cartilage that lies behind the tongue, above the larynx (voice box).

During breathing, the epiglottis opens to allow air to enter the larynx into the lungs. However, the epiglottis closes while we eat to prevent food and drink from being accidentally inhaled and causing choking.

Lower respiratory system organs

Upper and lower respiratory system organs

1. Larynx (voice box)

The larynx is the home of your vocal cords. It is located just below the junction of the pharyngeal tract which divides into the trachea and esophagus.

The larynx has two vocal cords that open when we breathe and close to produce sound. When we breathe, the air will flow through the two vocal cords which coincide to produce vibrations. These vibrations produce sound.

2. Trachea (windpipe)

The trachea is an integral part of the airway and has a vital function to carry air to and from the lungs for breathing.

The trachea or windpipe is a wide hollow tube that connects the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi of the lungs. It is about 10 cm long and less than 2.5 cm in diameter.

The trachea extends from the larynx to below the sternum (sternum), and then divides into two small tubes called bronchi. Each side of the lung has one bronchus.

3. Ribs

The ribs are the bones that support the chest cavity and protect organs in the chest, such as the heart and lungs, from impact or shock.

The ribs will expand and contract with the lung's motion as you inhale and exhale.

4. Lungs

The lungs are a pair of organs located inside the ribs. Each lung is located on either side of the chest.

The main role of the lungs in the respiratory system is to accommodate the oxygenated air that we breathe from the nose and circulate this oxygen to the blood vessels to be distributed throughout the body.

5. Pleura

The lungs are covered by a thin membrane called the pleura. The pleural lining acts as a lubricant allowing the lungs to expand and contract smoothly with each breath. The pleural lining also separates your lungs from your chest wall.

6. Bronchioles

Bronchioles are the branches of the bronchi that function to channel air from the bronchi to the alveoli. In addition, bronchioles also function to control the amount of air that enters and leaves during the breathing process.

7. Alveoli

The alveoli or alveoli are small sacs in the lungs that are located at the ends of the bronchioles. In the respiratory system, the alveoli function as a place for exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

In the alveoli there are also blood vessel capillaries. Later, the blood will pass through the capillaries and be carried by the veins and arteries.

The alveoli then absorb oxygen from the air carried by the bronchioles and circulate it into the blood. After that, carbon dioxide from the body's cells flows with the blood to the alveoli to be exhaled.

8. Bronchial tubes

In the bronchial tubes of the lungs, there are sillia, which are tiny hairs that move like waves. The movement of the sillia waves will carry mucus (phlegm / mucus / liquid) up and out of the throat. Cilia are also in the nostrils.

The function of mucus or phlegm in the bronchial tubes is to prevent dust, germs, or other foreign objects from getting into the lungs. Coughing can also be a way for the human respiratory system to prevent foreign objects from entering the lungs.

9. Diaphragm

The diaphragm is a strong muscular wall that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. When doing abdominal breathing, the diaphragm will move downward and create an empty cavity to draw in air. It can also help expand the lungs.

How the human respiratory system works

The work process of the human respiratory system is often called the respiration system. As explained by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the process of respiration begins when you take air in through your nose and into your throat. After that, the air will descend through the larynx and into the trachea.

At the same time as you inhale, the diaphragm and muscles between your ribs shrink to create empty space in the chest cavity. This is so that the lungs can draw in the air you breathe.

After the incoming air moves to the end of the trachea, the air will pass through the bronchi and enter the lungs. After that, the air flows into the bronchioles, which continue to shrink until the air reaches the end of the fork.

At the ends of the bronchioles are small air sacs or alveoli. When air reaches the alveoli, oxygen enters through the membrane into tiny blood vessels called capillaries. Instead, carbon dioxide from the blood in the capillaries leaves and enters the alveoli.

After oxygen and carbon dioxide have exchanged places in the alveoli, the chest cavity will relax the diaphragm muscle so that the diaphragm loosens. This allows carbon dioxide to move up and then excreted through the lungs and then exhaled through the nose.

Diseases that attack the respiratory system

The organs contained in the respiratory system play an important role in capturing and circulating the oxygen needed by the body. However, the function of the respiratory system can be disrupted due to the air that is inhaled, especially if the air contains germs.

The threat of disease does not only come from outside the respiratory system, some respiratory disorders can also come from the respiratory system itself.

The following are some of the common diseases that attack the respiratory system:

• Cold
• Influenza (flu)
• Asthma
• Pneumonia
• Tuberculosis
• Bronchitis
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)