respiratoria

Respiratoria is an adjective used in medicine to denote anything related to respiration, the process by which an organism takes in oxygen and expels carbon dioxide. In humans, respiration encompasses ventilation (the movement of air into and out of the lungs), gas exchange in the alveoli, and the transport of gases in the bloodstream to tissues.

Anatomy and physiology

The respiratory system includes the airways (nasal and oral cavities, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchial tree) and the lungs, where alveoli provide a large surface area for gas exchange. Ventilation is driven mainly by the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, with oxygen entering the blood via pulmonary capillaries and carbon dioxide returning to the alveoli to be exhaled. The circulatory system transports oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. Gas exchange is influenced by diffusion across the alveolar-capillary membrane and by factors such as ventilation-perfusion balance and hemoglobin affinity for oxygen.

Regulation

Breathing is regulated by neural centers in the brainstem (medulla and pons) and chemical sensors that respond to carbon dioxide, oxygen, and pH levels. Breathing can be adjusted automatically or voluntarily, allowing rapid responses to metabolic and environmental changes.

Clinical relevance

Respiratory disorders include obstructive diseases (such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), restrictive conditions (like fibrosis), infections (pneumonia), and acute respiratory failures (e.g., ARDS). Symptoms often include dyspnea, cough, wheeze, chest pain, or cyanosis. Diagnosis relies on history, physical examination, spirometry, imaging, and blood gas analysis. Treatments aim to improve ventilation and gas exchange, relieve symptoms, and treat underlying causes, with approaches ranging from bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs to supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation.