Illustrated Guide to the Human Body: The Respiratory System

This book is a concise, illustrated guide to the anatomy, physiology, well-being, and disorders of the human respiratory system. It has been written and illustrated specially for students and laypeople interested in medicine, health, fitness, and first aid. The subject is dealt with in clear steps, so that the reader can steadily acquire a good overall understanding. Explanatory texts, diagrams, illustrations, captions, and fact boxes are combined to help readers grasp important information at a glance. A glossary of scientific and jargon words defines medical terms in everyday language. A list of Web sites provides links to other relevant sources of information, and the index enables quick access to articles.

There are five sections within the book. The first section surveys the respiratory system and details the mechanism of breathing. It also deals with exercises related to respiration and the ill-effects of smoking. Sections 2, 3, and 4 focus on the major regions of the respiratory system, from the mouth, nose, and bronchial tubes, to the lungs and their associated blood circulation. Section 5 deals with the nonrespiratory functions of these regions, especially speech. Within each section, normal structure and function are followed by the principles of healthcare and fitness. These are followed by a survey of the main disorders and diseases affecting the region. Information is presented as double-page topics arranged in subsections.