Final answer:
General anesthesia relaxes the muscles necessary for breathing and moving the tongue, which can lead to airway blockage. Endotracheal intubation is a common procedure used during surgery to maintain an open airway. Patients typically take about 30 minutes to wake up and regain control of their breathing muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
General anesthesia can affect the respiratory system by relaxing the muscles necessary for breathing and moving the tongue. This relaxation can lead to a partial or full blockage of the airway by the tongue, and the muscles of respiration may not move the diaphragm or chest wall effectively. To maintain an open airway during surgery, doctors commonly use a procedure called endotracheal intubation, which involves placing a tube into the trachea. The anesthesiologist gradually adjusts the gases that keep the patient unconscious, and when the muscles of respiration start to function, the tube is removed. It usually takes about 30 minutes for the patient to fully wake up and regain control of their breathing muscles, and they may experience a sore or scratchy throat for a few days after surgery.