News tagged with respiratory tract

Evidence of host adaptation of avian-origin influenza A virus

The connection between human avian-origin influenza A (H7N9) virus infection and environmental sources of the virus were determined based on clinical data, epidemiology, and virological characteristics of the three early ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created May 15, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Asymptomatic carriage of M. pneumoniae common in children

The bacterium M. pneumoniae is carried at high rates in the upper respiratory tracts of healthy children and usual diagnostic tests cannot differentiate between such asymptomatic carriage and actual respiratory tract infect ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Study examines effects of genetic variants for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome

Among infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS; caused by in utero opioid exposure), variants in certain genes were associated with a shorter length of hospital stay and less need for treatment, preliminary findings ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Apr 30, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Flu and bacteria: Better prognosis for this potentially fatal combination

Scientists from the Max F. Perutz Laboratories (MFPL) of the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna have provided insights into how much harm bacteria can cause to the lung of people having ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Apr 26, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1

Research suggests transmission of respiratory viruses in utero

The most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can be transferred during pregnancy to an unborn baby, according to Cleveland Clinic Children's ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Apr 18, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New bird flu strain seen adapting to mammals, humans

A genetic analysis of the avian flu virus responsible for at least nine human deaths in China portrays a virus evolving to adapt to human cells, raising concern about its potential to spark a new global flu pandemic.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Apr 12, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

SARS-like virus seems to cause deep lung infection

A new and deadly virus that has killed 11 of the 17 patients treated for it in the Middle East and Britain appears to cause an infection deep in the lungs, researchers said Wednesday.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Apr 03, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Better communication reduces prescriptions for antibiotics

(HealthDay)—Neither C-reactive protein testing nor enhanced physician communication training resulted in reduced office visits, but enhanced communication training resulted in less prescribing for antibiotics ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Apr 02, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Azithromycin may provide benefit for treatment of respiratory disorder

Among patients with the lung disorder non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, treatment with the antibiotic azithromycin resulted in improvement in symptoms but also increased the risk of antibiotic resistance, according to a ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Mar 26, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Common antibiotic linked to heart problems in patients with lung conditions

The antibiotic clarithromycin – widely used for treating lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and acute exacerbations (sudden worsening) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – may be associated ...

Medications created Mar 21, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Researchers spot molecular control switch for preterm lung disorders

(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have made major discoveries that could lead to new treatments for lung disorders in premature babies. In a mouse study, the team located key molecules ...

Medical research created Mar 20, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Black children less likely to be prescribed antibiotics

(HealthDay)—Black children are less likely to be prescribed antibiotics and to be diagnosed with conditions that require antibiotics, even when treated by the same doctor, according to research published ...

Pediatrics created Mar 18, 2013 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Study uncovers new cells in the urethra which may detect hazardous substances

A recent study conducted by a group of German scientists revealed the presence of a previously unknown cell in the urethra of mice. These chemosensory cholinergic brush cells are in close contact to sensory neurons that express ...

Medical research created Mar 15, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Outdoor heat increases risk of emergency respiratory hospitalization in elderly

Outdoor heat is associated with a significantly increased risk of emergency hospitalization for respiratory disorders in the elderly, according to a large epidemiological study of more than 12.5 million Medicare beneficiaries.

Health created Mar 08, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New study finds maternal diet important predictor of severity for infant RSV

An important predictor of the severity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants may be what their mothers ate during pregnancy, according to a Vanderbilt study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Cr ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Mar 04, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Respiratory tract

In humans the respiratory tract is the part of the anatomy that has to do with the process of respiration.

The respiratory tract is divided into 3 segments:

The respiratory tract is a common site for infections. Upper respiratory tract infections are probably the most common infections in the world.

Most of the respiratory tract exists merely as a piping system for air to travel in the lungs; alveoli are the only part of the lung that exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide with the blood.

Moving down the respiratory tract starting at the trachea, the tubes get smaller and divide more and more. There are estimated to be about 20 to 23 divisions, ending up at an alveolus.

Even though the cross-sectional area of each bronchus or bronchiole is smaller, because there are so many, the total surface area is larger. This means there is less resistance at the terminal bronchioles. (Most resistance is around the 3-4 division from the trachea due to turbulence.)

For more information about Respiratory tract, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.