Organs of the

Respiratory System
 Nose
It is the organ through which air is inhaled

and exhaled. Nostrils (also known as

external nares) facilitate the process of
inhalation and exhalation. Vestibule is a
part inside the nostrils lined by coarse hair.
Cavity of the nose is divided into two parts
by the nasal septum.
 Nose
The superior and lateral walls of nasal cavity

are formed of the nasal, maxillary, ethmoid,

frontal and sphenoid bones. Floor of the nasal
cavity is composed of hard and soft palates.
Cartilage is external part of nose, which forms
the tip and bridge. Bony shelves which project
from lateral walls of the nose are known as
inferior, middle and superior nasal conchae.
 Trachea
The trachea lies to the anterior side of the
esophagus. It is a tubular structure with 1
inch diameter and a length of 4.25 inches.
The length of trachea spans between 6th
cervical and 5th thoracic vertebrae. Trachea
is composed of around 15 - 20 'C' - shaped
pieces of hyaline cartilage. These pieces
are held together by tracheal muscles.
 Bronchi
The tracheal tube when divided into two at

the caudal end, gives rise to left and right

bronchi. Bronchus is a passage that allows
air flow into lungs. Left bronchus, which is
shorter than the right one, further divides
into 2 lobar bronchi; right bronchus on the
other hand is divided into 3 lobar bronchi
 Lungs
The lungs are a pair of conical organs present in

pleural cavities; both the lungs together form an

important part of the human respiratory system.
Left lung is divided into 2 lobes (superior and
inferior) while the right one in 3 (superior, inferior
and middle). Each lung has a median slit and hilus.
 Pharynx
The pharynx is a body part common to both

respiratory and digestive systems. It is located

behind the nasal and oral cavities. The
different parts of pharynx are nasopharynx,
oropharynx and laryngopharynx. Pharynx is
connected to skull cavity by means of
connective tissues and muscles.
 Epiglottis
Composed of cartilaginous tissue, the epiglottis

is located at the opening of larynx i.e. at the

back of our tongue; it is covered by mucous.
Since epiglottis can get abraded easily, (as it
lies in the digestive tract) its surface is covered
with protective, non-keratinized and stratified
squamous epithelial cells.
 Alveoli
The alveoli are sac-shaped bodies present

inside the lungs. These grape-like bodies are

found only in lungs of mammals and present at
the end of alveolar ducts. The alveoli functions
as an interface for exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide between the lungs and
capillaries that connect with rest of the body.
 Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a part of respiratory
system which plays an important role in
breathing. Contraction of muscles of
diaphragm results into expansion of
thoracic cavity; this contraction of
diaphragm is important from the point of
expansion of lungs during inhalation.
 of human respiratory
system
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
Picture of respiratory process