Comprehensive Respiratory System Anatomy, Function, and Diseases

Respiratory System

The system that provides oxygen to the body and removes unwanted gases, such as carbon dioxide.

Lungs

The two organs of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs.

Upper Respiratory System

Includes the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx.

Lower Respiratory System

Includes the larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

Nose

A flap of cartilaginous tissue covered by skin that opens to the outside through nostrils.

Nasal Cavity

Divided into two halves by the nasal septum, made of cartilage and bone, and covered by mucus membranes.

Mucus Membranes

Tissues that produce mucus to humidify and warm the air.

Olfactory Nerve

Located at the roof of the nasal cavity, involved with the sense of smell.

Paranasal Sinuses

Air-filled spaces that open into the nasal cavity.

Pharynx

A common passageway for liquid, food, and air, divided into nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

Nasopharynx

The part of the pharynx located behind the nasal cavity.

Oropharynx

The part of the pharynx located behind the oral cavity.

Laryngopharynx

The part of the pharynx located behind the larynx.

Larynx

The voice box that leads to the trachea and contains vocal cords.

Glottis

The V-shaped opening in the larynx that allows air to be inhaled and exhaled.

Epiglottis

A flap-like structure that covers the glottis during swallowing to prevent aspiration.

Adam's Apple

The cartilaginous wall of the larynx in front.

Trachea

The windpipe that is about 4 inches long and made up of C-shaped cartilage tissue.

Cilia

Hairy-like structures in the trachea that sweep mucus with trapped particles toward the throat.

Bifurcation

The location where the trachea divides into right and left primary bronchi.

Primary Bronchi

The two branches that the trachea divides into, singular: bronchus.

Mediastinum

The area in the thoracic cavity where the trachea is located.

Vocal Cords

Structures in the larynx that vibrate to produce sound.

Mucosal Membranes

Membranes that humidify and warm the air in the pharynx.

Common Pathological Conditions

Health issues related to the respiratory system that can affect its function.

Bronchial Tree

The trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles, resembling an upside-down tree.

Pleura

A double folded membrane surrounding the lungs.

Apex of the Lung

The upper part of the lung.

Base of the Lung

The part of the lung that lies on the diaphragm.

Hilum

The depression on the medial border of the lung, the point of entrance for pulmonary arteries, veins, and bronchi.

Lobes of the Lung

The right lung has three lobes, and the left lung has two lobes.

Bronchioles

Smaller branches of the bronchi that lead to air sacs or alveoli.

Alveoli

Air sacs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

Alveolar Cell Type 1

Cells that make up the wall of the alveoli.

Alveolar Cell Type 2

Cells that secrete surfactant in the alveoli.

Surfactant

A protein-fat substance that reduces surface tension inside the alveolus and prevents collapse.

Visceral Pleura

The inner layer of the pleura that covers the outside of the lung.

Parietal Pleura

The outer layer of the pleura that attaches to the inside of the rib cage.

Pleural Space

The space between the visceral and parietal pleura.

Pleural Fluid

A small amount of watery, slippery fluid secreted by the pleura that prevents friction during breathing.

Respiration

The process of supplying the body with oxygen, consisting of inspiration and expiration.

External Respiration

The exchange of air between the lungs and blood, involving inhalation, oxygen exchange, and exhalation.

Internal Respiration

The process where oxygen is carried by lung blood vessels to the heart and then to body cells for gas exchange.

Respiratory Control Center

The part of the brain that regulates the process of breathing, including depth and rate.

Chemoreceptors

Receptors that monitor levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, located close to the aorta and carotid arteries.

Phrenic Nerve

The nerve that sends messages from the respiratory control center to the diaphragm.

Expiration

process of breathing out

Ventilation

movement of air in and out of lungs

Gas transport

after exchange of gases, oxygen and carbon dioxide are carried by the blood to the lung (CO2) and body cells (O2)

Cellular respiration

Body cells use oxygen for the metabolism and production of energy, and they result in creation of waste carbon dioxide.

Adenoids

A mass of lymphatic tissue in the back of the nose within the nasopharynx (posterior aspect) and is larger in children and gradually becomes smaller in adults.

Alveolus (alveoli)

are air sacs in the lungs that allow exchange of gases through the tiny walls. There are about 480 millions alveoli in the lungs that creates a surface area of 100 square meter.

Bronchus (bronchi)

two branches of the trachea that enter the lung through the hilum.

Carbon dioxide

waste gas produced by body cells through the process of metabolism.

Diaphragm

is the muscular membrane separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity, and along with the intercostal muscles help the process of breathing.

Inspiration (inhalation)

process of the breathing in.

Larynx (voice box)

part of the airways that contain the vocal cords and allows air in and out of the lungs.

Lobe

large division of the lung. The left lung has two lobes and right lung contains three lobes.

Lumen

is the inside opening of the airways that allows air in and out.

Metabolism

process of using oxygen to change the food and release energy in the cell.

Nostril (Nares)

nasal opening.

Oxygen

gas that helps to release energy from the food and passes into the bloodstream by the lungs and then travels to all body cells.

Palatine tonsil

small mass of lymphatic tissue in the oropharynx.

Paranasal sinus

four pairs of air cavities in the facial and cranial bones near the nose.

Pharynx (throat)

common passageway for food and air.

Pleural cavity

is a tiny space between the two layers of the pleura.

Pulmonary parenchyma

essential tissue of the lung that is responsible for exchange of gases and contains bronchioles and alveoli.

Trachea (windpipe)

is a cartilaginous tube that connects pharynx and larynx to the bronchi and allows air in and out

adenoid/o

Adenoid

alveol/o

alveolus, air sac

bronch/o

bronchial tube

bronchi/o

bronchus

bronchiol/o

bronchiole

capn/o

carbon dioxide

coni/o

dust

cost/o

Rib

cyan/o

blue

epiglott/o

epiglottis

hal/o

breathe

laryng/o

larynx, voice box

lob/o

lobe of the lung

mediastin/o

mediastinum

nas/o

nose

orth/o

straight, upright

ox/o

oxygen

pector/o

chest

pharyng/o

pharynx, throat

phon/o

voice

phren/o

diaphragm

pleur/o

pleura

pneum/o

air, lung

pneumon/o

lung

pulmon/o

lung

rhin/o

nose

sinus/o

sinus cavity

spir/o

breathing

steth/o

chest

tel/o

complete

thorac/o

chest

tonsill/o

tonsils