Structure of the respiratory system

The respiratory system provides our body with oxygen and

removes waste
products such as
carbon dioxide, heat
and water. Oxygen
is extremely
important and is
required by every
cell in the body of
every living
creature. There are
two sets of airways
that are known as
the upper respiratory tract (nose, nasal cavity, mouth, pharynx
and larynx) and the lower respiratory tract (trachea, bronchi
and lungs).

Nasal cavity
The nose has two parts to it, the external nose and the
internal nasal cavity. When we breathe in the air travels
through our nostrils into the nasal
cavity, the hairs in the nostrils
prevent dust, pollen and other
foreign particles from moving
through to the nasal cavity by acting
as a filter. The air is then warmed
and moistened before it passes into
the nasopharynx, a layer of sticky
mucous trap any other small foreign
particles and the tiny hairs know as
cilia transport this to the pharynx to
be swallowed.
 Epiglottis

This is the small flap of cartilage that is

located in the throat behind the tongue
and in front of the larynx. The epiglottis
remains upright at rest which allows air to
pass into the larynx and lungs. When we
swallow the epiglottis closes and folds backward to cover the
entrance of the larynx, this stops food and liquid entering the
windpipe and lungs. After swallowing the epiglottis will return
to its original upright position resting position.

Pharynx

This is the part of the throat situated

immediately behind the mouth and nasal
cavity, and in front of the esophagus and
larynx. The human pharynx is divided into
three parts (nasopharynx, oropharynx and
the laryngopharynx). The pharynx is part
of the digestive system and respiratory system. It is around
10-13 cm long and contains skeletal muscle throughout, it is the
passageway for both food and air and is specially adapted to
avoid chocking. It is most commonly known as the throat.

Larynx

The larynx is located in the neck at the top of the

trachea, it is used when we talk, swallow and breathe. It is also
known as the voice box and is made up of rigid cartilage walls,
(the large cartilage in the front is often called the Adam's
apple) it contains the vocal cords and is about 5 cm long.
 Trachea

This is often referred to as

the windpipe, it is about 12 cm
long and 2 cm in diameter. The trachea contains many strong
rings of cartilage to prevent it from collapsing. This flexible
pipe is located at the front of the neck and branches off into
the right and left bronchi.

Bronchus

The right and the left lung each have one

large bronchus, connecting it to the trachea.
Within the lung the bronchus branches into
smaller tubes. The right lungs bronchus
subdivides into three lobar bronchi, the left
lung subdivides into two lobar bronchi, these
then divide into segmental bronchi which are
smaller again and finally the smallest branches are the
bronchioles. A bronchus has cartilage plates, smooth muscle,
and mucus secreting gland cells in its wall. It is also lined with
cilia (small hairs), these remove dust and other small particles.

Bronchioles
Bronchioles are the smallest
airways that branch off the
bronchus. They are very thin
at around 1 mm in diameter
and do not contain cartilage.
The bronchioles end in
clusters and have air sacs at
the end of them often know as alveoli.

Lungs

Your lungs are a pair of large sponge-like

organs that almost fill your chest cavity.
Your left lung is slightly smaller than your
right lung, to make space for your heart.
These occupy most of the thoracic cavity
and go right down to the diaphragm.

Lobes

The lungs are divided into separate

lobes, the right lung contains three
separate lobes and the left lung only
contains two.
 Pleural membrane and cavity

The pleural cavity is the body

cavity that surrounds the lungs.
The thin space between the two
pleural layers is known as the
pleural cavity, it normally
contains a small amount of
pleural fluid. The fluid will help
lubricate the walls so that when the lungs expand and contract
they are friction free. The outer pleura is attached to the
chest wall. The inner pleura covers the lungs and other
structures.

Thoracic cavity

This is the area in the chest that is protected by

the thoracic wall. It is separate from the
abdominal cavity by the diaphragm and is a large
hollow cavity.

Alveoli

There are 300 million air sacs known as alveoli, this

is where gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide)
takes place in the lungs. When you breathe out, the
body delivers carbon dioxide to the alveoli, and you
release it in your exhalation. When you breathe in,
oxygen fills the alveoli and then enters the blood, so it can be
delivered to the rest of the body.
 Diaphragm

This is the dome shaped muscle that separates the chest and
abdomen, the contraction of the diaphragm
increases the area in the chest cavity, this
draws more air into the lungs during
inspiration and during expiration it relaxes to
decrease the area in the cavity and forces
air out during expiration.

Internal and external intercostal muscles

These muscles are located in between the ribs, they help with
the inspiration and expiration of the lungs.
The internal intercostal muscles are inside the
ribcage, they draw the ribs inwards and pull
them downwards. This decreases the area of
the chest cavity and forces the air out. The
external intercostal muscles are on the
outside of the ribs and pull the ribs upwards
and outwards, this increases the area of the
chest and draws air into the lungs.