The Respiratory System

The Structure & Function: 

What is the function of the respiratory system? The function of the respiratory system is to breathe in oxygen (so we can perform our daily actions) and to eliminate carbon dioxide. By taking in oxygen and exile CO2, we can use the oxygen to turn glucose into fuel for our body.

What are the names & functions of the major organs in the respiratory system? The names & functions of the major organs in the respiratory system are.

• The Airway (consisting of the nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, & bronchioles): The function of the airway is to take in oxygen and send it to the blood so the blood can distribute oxygen to the rest of the body. However, in order for the airway to perform its function at its best, there needs to be a minimum amount of mucus so it does not block the airway.
• The Lungs: The function of the lungs is to evict carbon dioxide and take in oxygen. The lungs expel carbon dioxide when the blood returns with carbon dioxide for the lungs to remove. The lungs perform this function when you exhale (breathe out).
• The muscles of respiration (consisting of the diaphragm & intercostal muscles): The function of the diaphragm is to allow inhalation. When this muscle contracts, the center of the diaphragm moves downwards & the sides ride up, thus allowing us to breathe inward. It is said that this said muscle is to allow us to regurgitate, & expel feces & urine.                    The function of the intercostal muscles is to allow changes in the width of the ribs. They are located between the ribs and are located this way so that when they contract, the muscles are said to allow the rib cage to raise and take in air (inhalation). It is said that they are one of the most significant muscles in the act of respiration.                

The structure & function of the diaphragm: The diaphragm's structure is slightly dome-shaped and is placed underneath the lungs to ensure that when the diaphragm contracts, the "heart" of the diaphragm advances downwards while the edges are carried upward, causing us to inhale. It is shaped almost like a mushroom overhang and is hollow in the middle. The function of the diaphragm is to assist the lungs when inhaling and exhaling. As I mentioned before, it is somewhat connected to eradicating feces and urine (See: The Renal (Excretory, Urinary) System).  

Interactions With Other Systems: 

Interactions with other systems:

• The Immune System: When unidentified particles arrive in the respiratory system, the immune system sends out their "guards", which consist of lymphocytes & macrophages (a macrophage is a white blood cell). Not just that, but the immune system is accountable for the regulation of liquids in the lungs.
• The Nervous System: The lungs, like most organs, have receptors that acknowledge deflation, inflation, & chemical stimulation. This can conclusively trigger the nervous system, which can lead to a neutrally measured reply, such as a modified breathing motif.
• The Skeletal System: The skeletal system provides a structure for the upper region of the respiratory tract, which without the structure, would be nothing but a mess of soft tissues. Another factor of the skeletal system is a special cartilage called the laryngeal skeleton that is found in our throat. This cartilage is considered to be our actual vocal cords that allow us to communicate with words and other vocal sounds.
• The Circulatory System: The circulatory system works quite adequately with the respiratory system to guarantee that oxygenated blood can flow through our body. For this to happen, the respiratory system needs to assist the circulatory system with oxygen, which is sent to analogous organs through arteries. Deoxygenated blood is sent to the heart via veins to be restored with oxygen.
• The Renal (Urinary, Excretory) System: The respiratory system works with the kidneys in the renal system to maintain the suitable levels of oxygen in the bloodstream. If the kidneys discover that in the blood the oxygen levels have fallen flat, they emit erythropoietin (a hormone produced by the kidneys), which will urge supplementary oxygenated blood cells in the bloodstream to form & merge with hemoglobin so that more oxygen will be consumed through the lungs.
• The Digestive System: The digestive system works with the respiratory system since the digestive tract uses the movements of the muscles to digest the food and move it through the organs. Our respiratory system needs the digestive system to keep working because of the muscles in the respiratory system that need the energy to function & the muscles in the respiratory system gain that fuel from the digestive system.

The Respiratory System Analogy: 

Explain the respiratory system analogy: This analogy is comparing the respiratory system to a tree - the tree branches separate like the bronchi does from the larynx. The bronchi extends outward in the same way the branches of a tree would extend outward towards the leaves. The leaves act like the bronchioles of the respiratory system - the bronchioles send out carbon dioxide & take in oxygen.

REDESIGN: How Can I Make This System Better? 

How can you make this system better? I would make the respiratory system better by combining the respiratory system & the circulatory system as they both consist of the same organ & work so closely together. I would also make the lungs of the respiratory system a little tougher & surround it with cartilage to protect it from fluids entering (pneumonia is when fluids enter the lungs & reduce the amount of space for oxygen to fill up).

Sources:

PicMonkey - #Collage
The Respiratory System
Tree.jpg
New Health Advisor | How Does the Respiratory System Work With Other Systems - I got the interactions with other systems here, however, the "Exocrine System" does NOT consist of the kidneys, but the Excretory (Urinary or Renal) System does, so I realized that there was an error in the website and changed the name in my blog post.