Components

The components of the respiratory system consists of:

• Lungs
• Airways
• Pleura
• Muscles and chest wall
• Respiratory centers
• Mediastinum

Clinical diagnosis requires knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology and the disease entities. Each organ or tissue can only react in certain preset ways. Thus, multiple etiologies can lead to the same pathological process. For example consolidation can be produced by pneumococcus, TB, aspiration, radiation, etc. A variety of etiologies can give rise to the same pathological process. The steps in clinical diagnosis are:

• History: Sets the stage for what to expect.
• Screening Exam: Enables you to identify the pathological process.
• Focused Physical Exam: Is done following the clinical suspicion developed from history and screening physical exam.
• Clinical Impression: Is made from putting together history and physical exam.
• Investigation: Confirms or rules out differential under consideration.

Our objective is to carefully examine each of the respiratory system components and identify the pathological process. In order for us do this process optimally, we must have sound knowledge of the following:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Clinical Medicine

Hence, please be sure to go through each of the initial options before reviewing physical exam lessons.