Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System

The respiratory system consists of all the organs involved in breathing. These include the
nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. The respiratory system does two very
important things: it brings oxygen into our bodies, which we need for our cells to live and
function properly; and it helps us get rid of carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of cellular
function. The nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi all work like a system of pipes through
which the air is funnelled down into our lungs. There, in very small air sacs called alveoli,
oxygen is brought into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is pushed from the blood out into the
air. When something goes wrong with part of the respiratory system, such as an infection
like pneumonia, it makes it harder for us to get the oxygen we need and to get rid of the waste
product carbon dioxide. Common respiratory symptoms include breathlessness, cough, and chest
pain.
Function
The function of the respiratory system is to give us a surface area for exchanging gases
between the air and our circulating blood. It moves that air to and from the surfaces of the lungs
while it protects the lungs from dehydration, temperature changes and unwelcome pathogens. It
also plays a part in making sounds such as talking, singing, other nonverbal sounds and works
with the central nervous system for the ability to smell.

Upper Respiratory Anatomy

The upper respiratory system consists of the nostrils (external nares), nasal cavity, nasal
vestibule, nasal septum, both hard and soft palate, nasopharynx, pharynx, larynx and trachea.
Within the nostrils, course hairs protect us from dust, insects and sand. The hard palate serves to
separate the oral and nasal cavities. There is a protective mucous membrane that lines the naval
cavities and other parts of the respiratory tract. It is secreted over the exposed surfaces and then
the cilia sweep that mucus and any microorganisms or debris to the pharynx, so it is swallowed
and then destroyed in stomach acids.

Lower Respiratory Anatomy

The trachea branches off into what is known as the bronchi (more commonly called
bronchial tubes). These two main bronchi have branches forming the bronchial tree. Where it
enters the lung, there are then secondary bronchi. In each lung, the secondary bronchi divide into
tertiary bronchi and in turn these divide repeatedly into smaller bronchioles. The bronchioles
control the ratio of resistance to airflow and distribution of air in our lungs. The bronchioles open
into the alveolar ducts. Alveolar sacs are at the end of the ducts. These sacs are chambers that are
connected to several individual alveoli, which makes up the exchange surface of the lungs.

The Lungs

The human respiratory system has two lungs, which contain lobes separated by deep
fissures. Surprisingly, the right lung has three lobes while the left one has only two lobes. The
lungs are made up of elastic fibers that give it the ability to handle large changes in air volume.
The pleural cavity is where the lungs are located. The diaphragm is the muscle that makes up the
floor of the thoracic cavity and plays a major role in the pressure and volume of air moving in
and out of the lungs