Anatomy Parts (and some functions) of the Lung

Functions of the Respiratory System

Gas exchange between blood and environment

organs of the respiratory system

nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, aevoli

The Nose

- has olfactory receptors that sense smell

- lined with mucus that moistens the air and traps foreign particles

- Mucus rests on a network of veins

Cilia moved contaminated mucus down the throat

Structures of the nose

nares, septum, palate

nares

nostrils

septum

Divides the right and left nostrils of the nose

palate

separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity

paranasal sinuses

air cavities within the cranial bones that open into the nasal cavities

these are resonance chamber for speech

produce mucus

Pharynx

Throat, muscular passage from nasal cavity to larynx

auditory tube opens up here, and the tonsils are here (lymph system)

three regions of the pharynx

nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx

Larynx

Voice Box, divides air from food, vocal cords vibrate to create sound

made of rigid hyaline cartilage and a flag of elastic cartilage (epiglottis)

Glottis

Opening between vocal cords

Trachea

Windpipe, connects larynx with bronchi

Lines with ciliated mucosa, and reinforced with C-shaped hyaline cartilage

ciliated mucosa

expels mucus loaded with debris away from lungs

Bronchi

conducting zone, bronchi divide and divide into smaller branches (1, 2, and 3 degrees on bronchi)

walls made of circular cartilage, smooth muscle, and mucosal lining

Primary Branchus

division of the trachea into R and L lungs

Bronchioles

3 types: conducting, terminal, and respiratory

walls have no cartilage, just smooth muscle and elastic fibers

Lungs

in thoracic cavity

divided into lobes (L-2 lobes R-3 lobes)

Diaphram

found below the lungs, muscles contract and relax causing us to breathe

Alveoli

Air sac where gas exchange takes place

wall is a thin, epithelial layer coated with surfactant

Lung tissue contains millions of Alveoli

Surfactant

phospholipid fluid that prevents collapse of lungs

Gas Exchange

Gas crosses the respitorty membrane by diffusion

- O2 into blood, CO2 into alveoli

Respiratory Membrane

air-blood barrier; composed of alveolar and pulmonary capillary

Respiratory Zone

Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar duct, alveoli. Sight of gas exchange