Lab 7 Respiratory System

External nares

Openings through which air enters the nasal cavity, also known as nostrils.

Nasal vestibule

Space inside the nostrils lined with vibrissae and mucous membranes, aiding in filtering and humidifying incoming air.

Nasal septum

Partition dividing the nasal cavity into left and right sides, composed of cartilage and bone.

Nasal conchae (turbinates)

Bony projections covered in mucous membranes within the nasal cavity, increasing surface area and assisting in air warming, humidifying, and filtering.

Olfactory region

Area at the roof of the nasal cavity housing the olfactory epithelium with olfactory receptors for the sense of smell.

Nasopharynx

Upper part of the throat behind the nose, serving as a passage for air from the nasal cavity into the throat.

Oropharynx

Middle part of the throat behind the mouth, acting as a passage for air from the nasopharynx and food from the mouth.

Laryngopharynx

Lowest part of the throat behind the larynx, serving as a common pathway for air and food before diverging into the trachea and esophagus.

Larynx (voice box)

Cartilaginous structure in the neck below the pharynx, housing vocal cords and responsible for sound production, airway protection, and breathing assistance.

Thyroid cartilage

Largest cartilage of the larynx forming the Adam's apple in the front of the neck.

Epiglottis

Elastic cartilage flap at the larynx entrance, folding down during swallowing to cover the glottis and prevent food and liquid from entering the trachea.

Trachea (windpipe)

Flexible tube composed of cartilage rings carrying air from the larynx to the bronchi, providing a passage for airflow to and from the lungs.

Tracheal cartilage

C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage supporting the trachea structurally and preventing collapse during inhalation.

Bronchi

Divisions of the trachea into right and left bronchi, further branching into bronchioles to carry air into the lungs.

Bronchioles

Smaller branches of the bronchi within the lungs lacking cartilage and surrounded by smooth muscle for regulating airflow through constriction and dilation.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs at the end of bronchioles facilitating gas exchange, where oxygen enters the bloodstream and carbon dioxide exits to be exhaled.

Lungs

Paired organs in the thoracic cavity responsible for respiration, containing bronchial tree structures and alveoli for gas exchange.

Diaphragm

Dome-shaped muscle below the lungs separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities, aiding in breathing by changing thoracic cavity volume during contraction and relaxation.