Getting Started: The Approach to Respiratory Physiology

Summary Points

The text of each chapter ends with a list of Summary Points. These points provide a fairly complete review of the important points covered in the chapter. By reviewing these, along with the learning objectives outlined at the beginning of the chapter and the review questions at the end, you will be able to do a self-check of your understanding of the material presented.

• The study of the physiology of breathing requires an understanding that the achievement of respiration adequate to meet the metabolic needs of the body requires the coordinated interactions of the different elements of the respiratory system. One does not breathe with the lungs alone.
• The major components of the respiratory system are the respiratory controller, the ventilatory pump, and the gas exchanger.
• To master the material in this book and to be able to apply the concepts outlined, you should answer all thought questions and carefully analyze the Animated Figures.