Respiratory System

The two main functions of the Respiratory System are to provide oxygen to the blood stream and then, in turn, to eliminate the carbon dioxide. These are the two MAIN things this system does. This is one of the main channels of elimination for your body and many waste products are exhaled through this channel.

All systems in our body are important, but some we notice the lack of faster than others. It doesn't take but a few minutes to die from lack of oxygen. Oxygen is essential to each cell in our bodies. Oxygen is what allows our cells to "burn" fuel. When the cells metabolize or burn their fuel, they use oxygen and give off a waste material--carbon dioxide--that is then picked up by the bloodstream and taken back to the lungs for elimination. So the lungs are both an assimilation organ AND an elimination organ.

We take in air through our nose and mouth, then it goes through the larynx (the voice box) down the trachea into the two bronchial passages in the lungs. Our bronchial tubes have special construction that makes it easier to breathe; rings of cartilage surround each passageway to keep it open all the time. airways are lined with mucous to catch dust, germs and other foreign particles. All of these debris are trapped by tiny hair-like projections called cilia. These cilia also line the sinuses. The cilia usually push mucous to the back of the throat and the lungs push the mucous to the top of the air passageway. We then swallow the mucous and it is taken out by way of our digestive tract.

When you mention the connection between respiratory congestion and bowel congestion, people look at you as if you're crazy. After all, we're talking two opposite ends here. But the body will not dump anything when the "trash can" is full. That means if your bowels are sluggish and you're constipated, it's very likely you'll have sinus congestion or respiratory congestion too.

The lungs are pretty laid-back. They are large cone shaped, pink organs. They expand and contract as the diaphragm and rib muscles change the size of the whole chest cavity. The lungs are very passive, simply expanding and contracting with each breath. Inside the lungs themselves are the bronchial

WHAT CAN GO WRONG?

Lots of things can go wrong, and since we don't live very long without air, this can be extremely scary. Normally, the lungs are soft and flexible. When the lungs become degenerative, they become dry and leather-like.