Text A. The respiratory system

The term “respiration” means the exchange of gases which takes place between the living organism and the environment. The respiratory system is the system that brings oxygen into the body and removes carbon dioxide. One calls this process respiration or breathing.

The main organs of breathing are the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi. Air is breathed through the nose or the mouth into the oral cavity, or pharynx. It then passes through the voice box, or larynx into the windpipe, or trachea. The trachea ultimately divides into two smaller tubes, bronchi, one is going to each lung.

The lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system. There are two lungs in the human body. They are two spongy organs located in the lateral cavities of the chest. The lungs are separated from each other by the mediastinum. The lungs are covered with the pleura. They are conical in shape. Each lung has the base, apex, two borders and three surfaces.

The lung has the apex extending upward 3-4 centimetres (cm) above the level of the first rib. The base of the lung is located in the convex (выпуклый) surface of the diaphragm. The posterior borders of the lungs are on each side of the spinal column. The anterior border is thin and overlaps (перекрывать) the pericardium.

The weight of the lungs varies according to many conditions. In the adult male the weight of the lungs is about 1,350 gr. The right lung is about 15% heavier than the left one. The vital capacity of the lungs is 3.5-4 litres in the male and 3-3.5 litres in the female.

The right lung consisting of three lobes is heavier than the left one because the latter consists only of two lobes. The lower lobe of the left lung is larger than the upper one.

In infants the lungs are of a pale rose colour but later they become darker.

The lung consists of an external serous coat, the visceral layer of the pleura, a subserous elastic tissue and the parenchyma or proper substance of the lungs.

TASKS

I. Translate the following words and word combinations:

обмен газами, между живыми организмами и окружающей средой, выводит углекислый газ, губчатые органы, боковые полости грудной клетки, отделяются друг от друга, покрыты плеврой, конусообразной формы, границы и поверхности, над уровнем, передние и задние границы, вес легких, жизненная емкость легких, у взрослого мужчины, бледно розовый цвет, собственное вещество легких

II. Complete the sentences:

1.The term “respiration” means the ….

2. The respiratory system brings … into the body and removes ….

3. The … are the main organs of the respiratory system.

4. The lungs are located in the ….

5. The lungs are separated by the ….

6. The lungs are covered by the ….

7. The … of the lungs is about 1,350 gr.

8. The … of the lungs is 3-4 litres.

9. The right lung consists of three ….

10. The … is the proper substance of the lungs.

III. Combine the adjectives with the proper nouns given below:

subserous, inner, lateral, respiratory, pale, human, spinal, anterior, vital, lower, proper, conical

surface, colour, body, coat, column, border, capacity, shape, organs, system, lobe, substance

IV. Fill in the proper preposition:

1. The lungs are located … the lateral cavities of the chest. 2. The lungs are separated from each other … the mediastinum. 3. The lungs are covered … the pleura. 4. The left lung consists … two lobes. 5. The weight of the lung varies according … many conditions. 6. The lungs are conical … shape. 7. The apex of the lung extends … the level of the first rib. 8. We breathe … the lungs. 9.... infants the lungs are of a pale rose colour.

V. Make up questions to the underlined words:

1. The term “respiration” means the exchange of gases.

2. Exchange of gases takes place between the living organisms and the environment.

3. One calls the exchange of gases respiration.

4. Air is breathed through the nose or the mouth.

5. The lungs are the most important organs of the respiratory system.

6. The lungs are located in the lateral cavities of the chest.

7. The lungs are covered with the pleura.

8. The vital capacity of the lungs is about 3-4 litres.

9. The left lung consists of two lobes.

10. In infants the lungs are of a pale rose colour.

VI. Express your agreement or disagreement with the following:

1. The respiratory system is the system that brings carbon dioxide into the body and

removes oxygen.

2. Air is breathed through the nose or the mouth into the oral cavity.

3. The lungs are the main organs of the cardiovascular system.

4. The lungs are separated by the septum

5. The lungs are oval in form.

6. The weight of the lungs is about 1,350 gr.

7. The vital capacity of the lungs is about 5 litres.

8. The right lung has two lobes and the left one three lobes.

9. Both in infants and adults the lungs are of a pale rose colour.

VII. Give the summary of the text A:

VIII. Translate the text using a dictionary: