Respiratory System Anatomy and Function

In the following, “respiratory system” describes diseases that are assigned to this category according to ICD-10 (J00-J99). The ICD-10 is used for the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems and is recognized worldwide.

Respiratory system

Every single cell in the body requires oxygen for its functions. Because humans cannot store oxygen, they must breathe day and night. The essential functions of the respiratory system (respiratory system) are the exchange of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Anatomy

The respiratory system includes the airways, which are divided into upper and lower airways, as well as the lungs and respiratory muscles.

Physiology

A distinction is made between external respiration and internal respiration. External respiration – pulmonary respiration (gas exchange in the lungs):

  • During inspiration (breathing in), oxygen enters the lungs, is released into the blood, and is transported to the body’s cells, which consume the oxygen. This produces carbon dioxide, which is transported back to the lungs to be released to the outside via expiration (breathing out).
  • Gas exchange takes place in the alveoli (alveoli).

Internal respiration – cellular respiration (exchange between blood and cells):

  • The body cells absorb oxygen and burn it as part of the metabolization (metabolization) of nutrients to ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the main energy carrier of the organism. As an end product of the metabolism of the body’s cells, carbon dioxide is formed, which is released into the blood and transported back to the lungs.

Common diseases of the respiratory system

Diseases of the respiratory system are common occasions for visiting a doctor’s office. A distinction is made between upper and lower respiratory tract diseases and between acute and chronic diseases. Acute respiratory diseases are usually harmless and easily treated. Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are now among the most widespread diseases in Germany. The most common diseases of the respiratory system include:

  • Acute and chronic bronchitis
  • Acute and chronic rhinitis (rhinitis)
  • Acute and chronic sinusitis (sinusitis).
  • Bronchial asthma
  • Bronchial carcinoma (lung cancer)
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Influenza (flu)
  • Flu infection (cold)
  • Laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx)
  • Pulmonary emphysema (lung hyperinflation)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Nasal polyps
  • Pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs)
  • Sleep apnea (cessation of breathing during sleep).

The main risk factors for diseases of the respiratory system

Behavioral causes

  • Consumption of stimulants
    • Tobacco consumption

Causes related to disease

  • Allergies

Environmental pollution – intoxications (poisonings)

  • Particulate matter
  • Sprays – atomization causes the droplets to enter the lungs when inhaled
  • Strong odors – from chemicals in paints, varnishes, etc.
  • Unhealthy indoor climate
  • Incompatibilities

Please note that the enumeration is only an extract of the possible risk factors. Other causes can be found under the respective disease.

The main diagnostic measures for diseases of the respiratory system

  • Ergo-spirometry – pulmonary function testing under stress.
  • Spirometry (lung function test)
  • Pulse oximetry
  • Lung sonography (lung ultrasound)
  • X-ray thorax (chest)
  • Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax/chest (thoracic CT).
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thorax (thoracic MRI).
  • Bronchoscopy – reflection of the trachea (windpipe) and bronchial tree of the lungs with the help of an endoscope.

Which doctor will help you?

Acute respiratory diseases do not usually need to be treated by a pulmonary and bronchial physician. Here, the family doctor or even the ENT physician will take action. Chronic conditions such as bronchial asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchial carcinoma, and emphysema are managed by a pulmonary and bronchial physician in the majority of cases.