The structure of the respiratory system

“The primary function of the respiratory system is the supply of

oxygen to the blood so this in turn delivers oxygen to all parts of
the body. The respiratory system does this while breathing is taking
place. During the process of breathing we inhale oxygen and exhale
carbon dioxide.” (www.ambulancetechnicianstudy.co.uk)

The pathway of the respiratory system process;

• Air enters the nostrils

• passes through the nasopharynx,
• the oral pharynx
• through the glottis
• into the trachea
• into the right and left bronchi, which branches and rebranches
into
• bronchioles, each of which terminates in a cluster of
• alveoli (Only in the alveoli does actual gas exchange takes
place. There are some 300 million alveoli in two adult lungs.)

(www.users.rcn.com)

Respiration is achieved through the

• Mouth
Air can also be taken in through the mouth. These two openings
of the airway (the nasal cavity and the mouth) meet at the
pharynx, or throat, at the back of the nose and mouth.

• Nose
At the top of the respiratory system, the nostrils (also called nares)
act as the air intake, bringing air into the nose, where it's warmed
and humidified. Tiny hairs called cilia protect the nasal passageways
and other parts of the respiratory tract, filtering out dust and other
particles that enter the nose through the breathed air.
(www.kidshealth.org)

• Trachea
The trachea, or windpipe, extends downward from the base of
the larynx. It lies partly in the neck and partly in the chest
cavity. The walls of the trachea are strengthened by stiff rings of
cartilage to keep it open and is very flexible.

• Lungs
The paired right and left lungs smaller than the right lung)
occupy most of the thoracic cavity and extend down to the
diaphragm. They hang suspended in the right and left pleural
cavities straddling the heart. (BTEC Sport level 3)

• Daphragm
The diaphragm separates the chest from the abdomen and is the
most important muscle involved when breathing. It is a sheet of
muscle that extends across the bottom of the rib cage.
“The diaphragm's job is to help pump the carbon dioxide out of the
lungs and pull the oxygen into the lungs. The diaphragm is a sheet
of muscles that lies across the bottom of the chest cavity. As the
diaphragm contracts and relaxes, breathing takes place. When the
diaphragm contracts, oxygen is pulled into the lungs. When the
diaphragm relaxes, carbon dioxide is pumped out of the lungs.”
(www.fi.edu/learn/heart)

Internal and external intercostal muscles

The intercostal muscles lie between the ribs. To help with inhalation
and exhalation they extend and contract.

 The internal intercostal muscles lie inside the ribcage. They

“extend from the front of the ribs, and go around back, past the
bend in the ribs.” (www.yorku.ca) and their aim is to assist in
expiration.

(google.com)
 The external intercostal muscles lie outside the ribcage. “The
external intercostal muscles consist of eleven muscles that envelop
each side of the exterior of the rib cage from the back of the ribs
and wrapping around where they are attached to the sternum in
front.” (www.wisegeek.com) Their aim is to draw the ribs upwards
and forward and assist in inspiration.

Inspired Air
This contains approx:

• 79% nitrogen
• 20% O2
• 0.04% CO2
• Water vapour/Trace Gases

Expired Air

This contains approx:

• 79% nitrogen
• 16% O2
• 4% CO2
• Water vapour/Trace Gases
(www.ambulancetechnicianstudy.co.uk)
BIBLIOGRAPHY!

www.ambulancetechnicianstudy.co.uk

www.wisegeek.com

www.yorku.ca

www.fi.edu/learn/heart

www.kidshealth.org

www.users.rcn.com

Btec Sport Level 3: Mark Adams, Ray Barker, Adam Gledhill, Chris
Lydon, Chris Mulligan, Pam Phillippo, Louise Sutton. Essex 2010.