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Respiration

The process including ventilation of lungs (breathing), gas exchange between air and blood, gas exchange between blood and tissue fluid, and the use of oxygen in cellular metabolism for ATP production.

Conducting division

Passages that serve only for airflow, spanning from nostrils to bronchioles.

Respiratory division

Regions including the alveoli and distal gas-exchange regions.

Upper respiratory tract

Comprises organs in the head and neck from the nose through the larynx.

Lower respiratory tract

Includes organs of the thorax, from the trachea through the lungs.

Functions of the nose

Warms, cleanses, and humidifies inhaled air; detects odors; modifies voice; contains hairs and mucus to block and trap particles; mucus has lysozymes to kill bacteria; cilia moves mucus towards pharynx.

Epistaxis

Medical term for a nosebleed.

Respiratory epithelium

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium that contains goblet cells secreting mucus; cilia propel mucus toward the pharynx.

Erectile tissue in the inferior concha

Venous plexus that swells with blood to restrict airflow, allowing the engorged side time to recover from drying.

Nasopharynx

Region posterior to choanae that receives auditory tubes and contains pharyngeal tonsils; air turns 90 degrees downward to trap large particles.

Oropharynx

Visible area when mouth is open containing palatine and lingual tonsils.

Laryngopharynx

Lower throat segment extending from epiglottis to cricoid cartilage, passing the pharynx.

Larynx (voice box)

Contains the glottis (superior opening) and epiglottis (flap guarding glottis), directing food to the esophagus.

Thyroid cartilage

Also known as the Adam's apple, its development is stimulated by testosterone.

Vocal cords

Structures that produce sound, generally longer and thicker in males, vibrating more slowly to create deeper sounds.

Infant larynx characteristics

Larynx is higher in the throat allowing simultaneous breathing and swallowing; by age 2, slippage occurs due to a muscular tongue.