Anatomy and Physiology: Respiratory System

-two tracts are responsible for ventilation (movement of air in and out of the airways.

Upper respiratory tract: warms and filters inspired air

Lower respiratory tract: accomplishes gas exchange

UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT:

1. Nose
The nose is composed of an external and an internal portion:
- External Portion: protrudes from the face and is supported by the nasal
bones and cartilages. The anterior nares (nostrils) are the external openings
of the nasal cavities.
 - Internal Portion: hollow cavity separated into the right and left cavities by
a narrow vertical divider, the septum.

- serves as a passageway for air to pass to and from the lungs.

- It filters impurities and humidifies and warms the air as it is inhaled.
- It is responsible for olfaction (smell) because the olfactory receptors are
located in the nasal mucosa.
2. Paranasal sinuses
- include four pair of bony cavities that are lined with nasal mucosa and
ciliated psudostratified columnar epithelium. These air spaces are
connected by a series of ducts that drain into the nasal cavity.
- Sinuses are named by their location: frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal and
maxillary.

-serve as a resonating chamber in speech

3. Turbinate Bones (Conchae)

- conchae:suggested by their shell-like appearance

-catches practically all the dust and organisms in the inhaled air.

4. Pharynx, Tonsils and Adenoids

- Pharynx: tube like structure that connects the nasal and oral cavities to the
larynx
3 Regions:
-Nasopharynx – located to the nose and above the soft palate
-Oropharynx- houses the faucial, or palatine, tonsils.
-Laryngopharynx- extends from the hyoid bone to the cricoid cartilage.

- Epiglottis- forms the entrance of the larynx

- Adenoids (pharyngeal tonsil)- located in the roof of the nasopharynx.
Encircles the throat.

- Important links in the chain of lymph nodes guarding the body from
invasion by organisms entering the nose and the throat

- Passageway for the respiratory and digestive tracts

5. Larynx
- or voice organ
- cartilaginous epithelium lined structure that connects the pharynx