Respiratory System

Take a deep breath and relax

Structure

• Nose• Pharynx• Larynx • Trachea• Bronchi• Alveoli• Lungs

• Nose- lined with mucous membranes. Air is warmed, filter and moistened

• Pharynx or throat- 3 sections: upper, middle and lower. Esophagus branches off here

• Larynx- voicebox. Epiglottis closes the opening during swallowing

• Trachea- windpipe, lined with c-shaped cartilaginous rings

• Bronchi (singular bronchus)- left and right

• Bronchioles- smaller divisions of the bronchi

• Bronchioles end in small air sacs called alveoli

• Lungs: 2 unequal lobes

• Covered in a membrane called the pleura

• Breathing = ventilation

• Two stages: inspiration and experation

• Diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract, thoracic cavity enlarges

• External respiration: exchange of O2 and CO2 between lungs and bloodstream

• Internal respiration: exchange of CO2 and O2 between cells and bloodstream

• Asthma

• Bronchitis

• COPD- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Emphysema

• Influenza

• Laryngitis

• Lung cancer

• Tuberculosis