Assessment Organs/System Involved Normal Function Pathophysiology Analysis

The main function of the lungs is The causative agent or organism gains
(rapid) gas exchange. This is entry into the body through the
respiratory tract by way of inspiration or
accomplished by a well-coordinated aspiration of oral secretions. The
interaction of the lungs with the organisms that can reach the lungs
central nervous system, the through blood circulation are
staphylococcus and gram negative bacilli.
diaphragm and chest wall You can read more on bacterial
musculature, and the circulatory pneumonia.
system.
The body's defense mechanism, that is,
Air enters through the nose and pulmonary defense mechanism in case of
lungs comes into action. A cough reflex,
mouth and travels down the trachea. mucocillary transport and pulmonary
Bronchial tubes branch from the macrophages try to protect the body
trachea and carry the air through against the infection. However, in some
people there defense mechanism is either
smaller and smaller passageways suppressed or overwhelmed by the
deep into the lungs. Air reaches at invading agent and leads to development
the end of bronchial tubes and of infection. You can read more on
mycoplasma pneumonia symptoms.
inflates clusters microscopic air sacs
called alveoli. Oxygen passes through The invading organism starts to multiply
the extremely thin alveoli walls and and release damaging toxins that cause
inflammation and edema of the lung
into the tiny blood vessels that parenchyma. This action leads to
surround them. It is then carried by accumulation of cellular debris and exudes
the blood to all parts of the body to within the lungs. Soon the airless state of
the lungs is changed to a consolidated
be used as fuel. Carbon Dioxide is a
state due to the fluid and exudate filling
waste created when cells use uses up.
oxygen. The blood carry this to the
lungs, where it moves to the alveoli. The ciliated epithelial cells are damaged in
case of viral pneumonia. The virus reach
The lungs are now ready to expel the the lungs through air borne droplets
carbon dioxide and prepare to draw inhaled through the mouth and nose. The
fresh air in. virus after gaining entry into the lungs,
begins an invasion of the cell lining of the
airways and alveoli. This leads to cell
death by direct action of the virus or
through a cell controlled self destruction
called apoptosis. With the body's
response to the invasion, there is further
damage to the lungs as the fluid is leaked
into the alveoli. Viral infection of the lungs
damages the lungs and makes them even
more susceptible to bacterial infections.
This complicated the matters even more
in viral pneumonia. You can read more on
viral pneumonia symptoms.

The fungal pneumonia is a rare condition,

and is often seen in individuals with
compromised immune system like AIDS,
etc. The pathophysiology of pneumonia in
case of fungal invasion is very much
similar to bacterial pneumonia. The most
common fungal agents that cause
pneumonia are Histoplasma capsulatum,
Cryptococcus neoformans, Pneumocystis
jiroveci, blastomyces and Coccidioides
immitis.

Pathophysiology of pneumonia caused by

parasites occurs when they travel to the
lungs by gaining entry through skin or
begin swallowed. There is cellular
destruction and immune response that
leads to disruption of oxygen
transportation. The common parasite that
causes pneumonia are Toxoplasma gondii,
Strongyloides stercoralis and Ascariasis.