![]() ![]() ![]() In early life, the chest wall is relatively supple. However, these effects can be reduced by regular exercise throughout life. ![]() Although the respiratory system maintains adequate gaseous exchange and carries out its other functions effectively throughout life in the absence of any pathology, the cumulative effects of ageing mean its efficiency progressively diminishes. This article explores the anatomical and physiological changes that occur in the respiratory system with age.Įvery living cell in the body needs oxygen for cellular respiration and generates carbon dioxide as a waste product an efficient respiratory system is therefore vital for cellular function and general health. The respiratory system has numerous functions: in addition to its central role in gaseous exchange, it is involved in regulating blood pH and controlling blood pressure, and has a role in mechanical non-specific immune defences (Marieb and Hoehn, 2015 Montague et al, 2005). Click here to see other articles in this series.Scroll down to read the article or download a print-friendly PDF here (if the PDF fails to fully download please try again using a different browser).This article has been double-blind peer reviewed.Nursing Times 113: 3, 53-55.Īuthors: John Knight is senior lecturer in biomedical science Yamni Nigam is associate professor in biomedical science both at the College of Human Health and Science, Swansea University. This second article in our updated series on age-related changes in the main organ systems looks at the respiratory system.Ĭitation: Knight J, Nigam Y (2017) Anatomy and physiology of ageing 2: the respiratory system. Like all organ systems, it becomes less efficient with age. ![]() The respiratory system has a key role in gaseous exchange but also helps to regulate blood pH, control blood pressure and provide non-specific immune defence mechanisms. ![]()
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