The respiratory system is essential to life as the body’s provider of oxygen. Oxygen is provided in a way which the body can use, cleaned, warmed and humidified, ready for delivery to cells to permit aerobic metabolism. The respiratory system also allows for the excretion of carbon dioxide. The respiratory system is usually considered to comprise: airways (nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles); an area of gas exchange (alveoli); and the necessary structures to drive and control respiration (ribs, intercostals muscles, diaphragm, pleura and nervous system).

The respiratory system is also important as one of the bodies significant interfaces with the environment. A normal person usually breathes about six litres of air a minute, and during exercise this may increase to over 75 litres per minute. The alveoli where gas exchange occurs are necess

Silicosis is the pneumoconiosis due to the inhalation of silica. Silica (silicon dioxide) is a ubiquitous element in the earth’s crust and much mining, quarrying, and construction causes it to be released as a dust. In addition it has useful properties of hardness and heat resistance which have lead to it’s use in a number of applications in industry. These include use as an abrasive, for making moulds, and as a heat resistant lining in the metal industry. It is also encountered in the ceramics industry. Crystalline forms of silica such as quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite cause silicosis while amorphous types, such as diatomite do not seem to, however, amorphous types of silica may be converted to crystalline by heating.

Some topics in this essay:
MMAD Macrophages, Particle Deposition, Fibrosis Inhalation, Anatomy Physiology, ELISA IgG, Irritation Acute, Allergy IgE, BCME CCME, Russia Australia, , gas exchange, respiratory system, respiratory tract, ige mediated, gases vapours, lung cancer, coal workers, immune response, coal workers pneumoconiosis, due inhalation, defence mechanisms, alveoli gas exchange, related disease irritation, 6 mechanisms related, 5 defence mechanisms,