Lung anatomy and Physiology

Primary function

• The respiratory system is responsible for delivering oxygen to the body and removing carbon dioxide

• Gas exchange - main role is oxygen intake and CO2 removal

• Regulation of pH

• Sound production

Four Processes of respiration

• Since gas exchange occurs only at alveoli level, the rest of the respiratory system structures are just conducting airways moving air through the lungs to the alveoli, where external respiration occurs

  

Upper respiratory tract

• Nose, Nasal cavity, Pharynx, Larynx

• Primary Functions of upper airways

  • act as conduct of air

  • humidify and warm

  • Prevent foreign material from entering tracheobronchial tree

  • Vital area involved for both speech and smell

• Structure of the nose

  • Outer portion of the nose is composed of bone and cartilage

  • Upper 1/3 is formed by nasal bones and the frontal process of the maxilla

  • Lower 2/3 is lateral cartilage, greater alar cartilage, lesser alar cartilage, septal cartilage, and fibrous fatty tissue

• Nasal Vestibule

  • located in nostrils

  • lined with skin and contains - sebacepus glands, sweat glands, and vibrassae

  • transitions into deeper respiratory mucosa