Öndunarkerfið

The term öndunarkerfið is Icelandic for the respiratory system, a vital organ system responsible for the exchange of gases between the body and the environment. It encompasses the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and the alveolar sacs of the lungs. Air enters through the nasal passages or mouth, is humidified, filtered, and warmed before traveling down the trachea. The trachea divides into the right and left primary bronchi, which further branch into smaller bronchioles that terminate in alveolar sacs where oxygen diffuses into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is expelled.

Gas exchange occurs across the thin alveolar epithelium and capillary walls, facilitated by the blood gas partial pressure gradients. Pulmonary capillaries, mainly within the lungs, contain oxygenated hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Deoxygenated hemoglobin returns to the right atrium of the heart, completing the respiratory cycle.

The respiratory system works in concert with the cardiovascular system, muscles of respiration such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, and neural controls, including the medullary respiratory centers in the brainstem. Reflexes such as coughing and sneezing protect the system from foreign particles and prevent obstruction of the airway. The system also plays a role in maintaining acid-base balance by regulating CO₂ levels.

Common disorders of the öndunarkerfið include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Diagnosis typically involves spirometry, chest radiography, and sometimes bronchoscopy or CT scans. Management strategies vary from inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators to oxygen therapy, immunotherapy, and surgical interventions depending on the condition severity.

Maintaining respiratory health involves adequate ventilation, avoidance of pollutants, vaccinations against respiratory pathogens, and recognition of symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or persistent cough. Regular physical activity can strengthen respiratory muscles and improve overall lung capacity.