RESPIRATORY INTRODUCTION NOTES

RESPIRATORY
INTRODUCTION
NOTES

,Respiratory System Principal
Organs

, RESPIRATION
• The process of gas exchange between atmospheric air
and the blood at the alveoli, and between the blood
cells and the cells of the body
• Exchange of gases occurs because of differences in
partial pressures and to match the elimination of CO2
and supply of oxygen to meet metabolic needs
- An increase in PCO2 causes acidosis. Receptors in the brain and structures
adjacent to blood vessels respond to this and stimulate ventilation
• Oxygen diffuses from the air into the blood at the
alveoli to be transported to the cells of the body
• Carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the air at
the alveoli to be removed from the body

, Respiration Process
A collective term for the following processes:
• Pulmonary Ventilation
Movement of air into the lungs (inspiration)
Movement of air out of the lungs (expiration)
• External Respiration
Movement of oxygen from the lungs to the blood
Movement of carbon dioxide from the blood to the lungs
• Transport of Respiratory Gases
Transport of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues
Transport of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs
• Internal Respiration
Movement of oxygen from blood to the tissue cells
Movement of carbon dioxide from tissue cells to blood