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Upper Respiratory Tract

Includes the nose, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and pharynx.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Includes the larynx, trachea, and bronchial tree.

Function of the Respiratory System

To exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) with the outside environment.

Gross Anatomy

The structures of the respiratory system that can be seen without a microscope.

Microscopic Anatomy

The structures of the respiratory system that can only be seen with a microscope.

Respiratory Volumes

Measurements that indicate the volume of air exchanged during breathing.

Respiratory Capacities

The total amounts of air that can be held in the lungs, formed from one or more respiratory volumes.

Role of the Muscles in Breathing

Muscles such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract and expand the thoracic cavity to facilitate inhalation and exhalation.

Nares

The external openings of the nostrils; also known as nostrils.

Clinical Cases

Practical applications of knowledge about the respiratory system in real-world contexts.