Physiology of respiration in humans

The physiology of human respiration is one of the main processes of vital activity

Breathing is one of the main functions of maintaining life in a living being. Like all other functions, breathing is not the main or secondary process - it is one of the elements of the harmonious, interrelated work of all systems and human organs.

The physiology of the process can be both normal and pathological. In order to understand more about the breathing itself and to have an idea of the norms and deviations, it is worthwhile to directly consider the respiratory process itself.

The anatomy and physiology of the respiratory organs in all living things is arranged differently, but obeys the same natural principles - the normal life-support of the organism. Normally, the physiology of human respiration involves the process through the nasal cavity. The mouth is used for breathing only when the nasal type becomes problematic. For example, in the common cold, adults breathe through the mouth, since nasal breathing is difficult. In childhood, when breathing through the mouth, doctors are more likely to suspect the proliferation of adenoids, which prevent the passage of air through the nasal cavity.

Nasal breathing is very important for a person, that's why even from a small age, parents teach children to breathe through their noses, so that the habit of "gasping for the mouth" does not lead to throat diseases. The physiology of breathing is so arranged that, passing through the nose, the air descends through the airways already warmed, not so cold. This is due to the fact that a dense network of blood vessels is located in the nose, which warms the air as it passes through the nasal cavity. In addition to the warming function, the nose perfectly cleans the air, retaining the minute dust particles that come with the current of air. It is important for a person to know that during the day the nose also suffers somehow from such air pollution, so the daily (morning) sanation of the nasal cavity is necessary.

From the sinuous nasopharynx, air descends into the larynx and trachea. Trachea in turn is divided into bronchi, which go to the right side to the right lung and to the left to the left lung. The bronchi themselves resemble a branched tree, which is divided into bronchioles and ends at the ends with alveoli (pulmonary vesicles). It is here that the exchange of tissues with oxygen begins and the transportation of blood through the body. In order to ensure maximum safety of the respiratory process in terms of ingress of dust, both the bronchi and the trachea are provided inside the ciliated epithelium, which is directed toward the oral cavity. In this way, the mucus that forms around the dust particles is removed by the epithelium to the oral cavity. When coughing or sneezing, the human body releases sputum particles that clean the respiratory organs - this involves the physiology of breathing, so there is no cause for concern with light, viscous sputum. It is much worse if the sputum is difficult to leave, has a yellowish-green color or an admixture of blood - this picture may indicate a serious damage to the respiratory system.

Alveoli are very peculiar in their structure - nature completely subordinated their respiratory physiology. The walls of the alveoli are thin - just one layer of cells freely passes oxygen and carbon dioxide. A special role in the respiratory process is played by a surfactant - this is a special substance that covers the walls of the alveoli. Thanks to him, the walls of the alveoli are not prone to atelectasis - a collapse. That is why it is very important that babies are born full-termed - in their alveoli the surfactant is enough that babies can breathe on their own.

The physiology of breathing includes not only the work of organs belonging to the respiratory system. In the respiratory process, the bones (the ribs rise slightly), the muscles (directly lead into the action of the rib), the diaphragm (a special muscle that pushes the abdominal cavity organs and increases the volume of the thoracic cavity with respiratory acts) participate in the respiratory process. The normal physiology of breathing fully provides the body with the necessary oxygen for its vital activity and displays the "spent" gas - these are such complex processes that occur in the human body.