Respiration is the process by which cells are supplied
with necessary oxygen and relieved of waste carbon
dioxide. In man the process is complex and involves
two body systems, the respiratory and cardiovascular.
Breathing is the process by which air flows through
the lungs (inhalation) and by which waste gases exit
the body (exhalation). The nose warms, moistens
and filters air entering respiraory tract. Both air and
food pass through the pharynx, but epigloggis prevents
food from passing into the larynx. The trachea divides
into two branches, one leading into each lung. The
bronchi divide and subdivide like roots of a tree. The
very smallest bronchial tubes end in cup-shapped air
sacs, called alveoli where vital gases are exchanged.
Each alveolus is richly supplied with blood vessels.
Oxygen crosses the alveolar and capillary walls and
enters the blood, while carbon dioxide passes from the
blood to the alveolus. The blood then carries the oxygen
to the body's cells, while the carbon dioxide is released
upon exhalation. Each lung is covered by a thin, moist
membrane called the pleura, which also lines the chest
cavity. The two plural surfaces slide and glide past each
other as the lungs expand and contract. Although they
do this they have no muscle tissue. They are flexible,
passive organs functioning by movent of the ribs and
diaphragm.. During inhalation it contracts and expands,
during exhalation it relaxes and moves up and chest
capacity is reduced, and air is pushed out of the body
taking with it the waste gases.

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS

Common Cold

Asthma

Influenza Virus'

Pneumonia

CHRONIC LUNG DISORDERS

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Chronic bronchitis

Emphysema

Plurisy

Legionnaires' disease

CHILDHOOD RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Croup

Epiglottis

*Information contained herein is intended for general
information and is intented to replace your Doctor,
Pharmacist or Health Care Provider*

For more information visit PDR Getting Well Network
and click on Diseases Overview

http://consumer.pdr.net/consumer