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Overview of Respiratory System

Overview of Respiratory System

The respiratory system is a complex biological apparatus that facilitates the exchange of gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, between our bodies and the environment. This system plays a vital role in the physiological process of respiration, an essential function for sustaining life.
What is the Respiratory System?
The respiratory system consists of a series of organs responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. The primary function of the respiratory system is to...

Physiology of Respiration I: Functions of the Respiratory System

Physiology of Respiration I: Functions of the Respiratory System

The respiratory system is crucial for exchanging oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) between the atmosphere and the bloodstream, maintaining the body's balance. Beyond gas exchange, it helps regulate acid-base balance, purify inhaled air, and enable vocalization.
Fundamental Processes in Respiration:

The Respiratory System

The Respiratory System

The respiratory system is comprised of the organs that enable breathing. Air enters the nostrils and mouth, followed by the pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box), which lead to the trachea (windpipe). In the thoracic cavity, the trachea splits into two bronchi that allow air to enter the lungs. The bronchi split into progressively smaller bronchioles and terminate in small groups of tiny sacs in the lungs called alveoli, where gas exchange occurs.

Mechanism of Breathing I: Inspiration

Mechanism of Breathing I: Inspiration

Introduction to Inspiration: The Respiratory System in Action
The respiratory system, an essential network for breathing, comprises the conducting and respiratory zones, each playing a crucial role in the overall process of respiration. Let us explore the detailed mechanism of inspiration, or inhalation, which is the first phase of the respiratory cycle.
Pathway of Air during Inspiration
During inspiration, air enters our body through the nose or mouth and moves through the conducting zone,...

Anatomy of Respiratory System II: Lower Respiratory Tract

Anatomy of Respiratory System II: Lower Respiratory Tract

The lower respiratory tract is anatomically composed of several vital structures, including the larynx, trachea, bronchial tree, alveoli, lungs, and pleurae. Each component has a specific function, and all are intricately connected to ensure efficient respiration.
The Larynx
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Breathing

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The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways

A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways

Published on: May 9, 2016

Respiratory circuits: development, function and models.

Nicholas M Mellen¹, Muriel Thoby-Brisson

¹Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202-3830, USA.

Current Opinion in Neurobiology

|January 28, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Breathing control relies on two key hindbrain networks: the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC) and the RTN/pFRG. Understanding their genetic makeup and interactions reveals insights into respiratory disorders and regulation.

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Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording

Published on: November 19, 2015

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Respiratory Physiology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Breathing is a vital rhythmic motor behavior controlled by hindbrain neuronal networks.
Two primary rhythmogenic networks, the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC) and the retrotrapezoïd nucleus/parafacial respiratory group (RTN/pFRG), generate respiratory motor output.
These networks are functionally interconnected and crucial for maintaining respiration.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advances in understanding the genetic specification of neurons within the preBötC and RTN/pFRG.
To elucidate the distinct roles of these networks in respiratory function and their interaction within a functional circuit.
To describe the consequences of disrupting these networks, as observed in developmental disorders and experimental models.

Main Methods:

Review of current scientific literature on respiratory control networks.
Analysis of genetic specification of neuronal constituents.
Examination of lesion studies and transgenic animal models.
Discussion of computational modeling approaches.

Main Results:

Recent studies have advanced the delineation of genetic factors specifying the neuronal components of the preBötC and RTN/pFRG.
The distinct contributions of each network to respiratory rhythm generation and regulation are becoming clearer.
Disruptions to these networks, evident in developmental disorders and experimental models, often lead to severe respiratory dysfunction and lethality.
Computational models are increasingly used to understand the complex dynamics of these neural circuits.

Conclusions:

A comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis and functional interactions of the preBötC and RTN/pFRG is essential for respiratory control.
Insights gained from studying network disruptions highlight their critical role in health and disease.
Computational modeling offers a powerful tool for further unraveling the mechanisms of respiratory network function and regulation.