Respiratory
System
Organs of the Respiratory system
∙ Nose
∙ Pharynx
∙ Larynx
∙ Trachea
∙ Bronchi
∙ Lungs –
alveoli
Function of the Respiratory System
∙ Oversees gas exchanges between the
blood and external environment
∙ Exchange of gases takes place within
the lungs in the alveoli
∙ Passageways to the lungs purify, warm,
and humidify the incoming air
The Nose
∙ The only externally visible part of the
respiratory system
∙ Air enters the nose through the external
nares (nostrils)
Anatomy of the Nasal Cavity
∙ Olfactory receptors are located in the
mucosa on the superior surface
∙ The rest of the cavity is lined with
respiratory mucosa
∙ Moistens air
∙ Traps incoming foreign particles
Anatomy of the Nasal Cavity
∙ The nasal cavity is separated from the
oral cavity by the palate
∙ Anterior hard palate (bone)
∙ Posterior soft palate (muscle)
Paranasal Sinuses
∙ Cavities within bones surrounding the
nasal cavity
∙ Frontal sinus
∙ Sphenoid sinus
∙ Ethmoid sinus
∙ Maxillary sinus
Pharynx (Throat)
∙ Muscular passage from nasal cavity to
larynx
∙ Three regions of the pharynx
∙ Nasopharynx – superior region behind
nasal cavity
∙ Oropharynx – middle region behind mouth
∙ Laryngopharynx – inferior region attached
to larynx
∙ The oropharynx and laryngopharynx are
common passageways for air and food
Upper Respiratory Tract
Structures of the Pharynx
∙ Auditory tubes enter the nasopharynx
∙ Tonsils of the pharynx
∙ Pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids) in the
nasopharynx
∙ Palatine tonsils in the oropharynx
∙ Lingual tonsils at the base of the tongue
Larynx (Voice Box)
∙ Routes air and food into proper
channels
∙ Plays a role in speech
Structures of the Larynx
∙ Thyroid cartilage
∙ Largest hyaline cartilage
∙ Protrudes anteriorly (Adam’s apple)
∙ Epiglottis
∙ Superior opening of the larynx
∙ Routes food to the esophagus and air
toward the trachea
Structures of the Larynx
∙ Vocal cords (vocal folds)
∙ Vibrate with expelled air to create sound
(speech)
Trachea (Windpipe)
∙ Connects larynx with bronchi
∙ Lined with ciliated mucosa
∙ Expel mucus loaded with dust and other
debris away from lungs
Lungs
∙ Occupy most of the thoracic cavity
∙ Apex is near the clavicle (superior portion)
∙ Base rests on the diaphragm (inferior
portion)
∙ Each lung is divided into lobes by fissures
∙ Left lung – two lobes
∙ Right lung – three lobes
Lungs
Coverings of the Lungs
∙ Pulmonary (visceral) pleura covers the
lung surface
∙ Parietal pleura lines the walls of the
thoracic cavity
∙ Pleural fluid fills the area between
layers of pleura to allow gliding
Respiratory Tree Divisions
∙ Primary bronchi
∙ Secondary bronchi
∙ Tertiary bronchi
∙ Bronchiole
∙ Terminal bronchiole
Bronchioles
∙ Smallest
branches of
the bronchi
Respiratory Zone
∙ Structures
∙ Respiratory bronchioli
∙ Alveolar duct
∙ Alveoli
∙ Site of gas exchange
Alveoli
∙ Structure of alveoli
∙ Alveolar duct
∙ Alveolar sac
∙ Alveolus
∙ Gas exchange takes place within the alveoli
in the respiratory membrane
Respiratory Membrane
∙ Thin squamous epithelial layer lining
alveolar walls
∙ Pulmonary capillaries cover external
surfaces of alveoli
Respiratory Membrane
External Respiration
∙ Oxygen movement into the blood
∙ The alveoli always has more oxygen than
the blood
∙ Oxygen moves by diffusion towards the
area of lower concentration
∙ Pulmonary capillary blood gains oxygen
External Respiration
∙ Carbon dioxide movement out of the
blood
∙ Blood returning from tissues has higher
concentrations of carbon dioxide than air in
the alveoli
∙ Pulmonary capillary blood gives up carbon
dioxide
∙ Blood leaving the lungs is oxygen-rich
and carbon dioxide-poor
Internal Respiration
∙ Exchange of gases between blood and
body cells
∙ An opposite reaction to what occurs in
the lungs
∙ Carbon dioxide diffuses out of tissue to
blood
∙ Oxygen diffuses from blood into tissue
Gas Exchange
∙ Gas crosses the respiratory membrane
by diffusion
∙ Oxygen enters the blood
∙ Carbon dioxide enters the alveoli
∙ Macrophages add protection
∙ Surfactant coats gas-exposed alveolar
surfaces
Mechanics of Breathing
(Pulmonary Ventilation)
∙ Two phases
∙ Inspiration – flow of air into lung
∙ Expiration – air leaving lung
Inspiration
∙ Diaphragm and intercostal muscles
contract
∙ The size of the thoracic cavity increases
∙ External air is pulled into the lungs due to
an increase in intrapulmonary volume
Inspiration
Exhalation
∙ Largely a passive process which depends
on natural lung elasticity
∙ As muscles relax, air is pushed out of the
lungs
∙ Forced expiration can occur mostly by
contracting internal intercostal muscles to
depress the rib cage
Exhalation
Nonrespiratory Air Movements
∙ Can be caused by reflexes or voluntary
actions
∙ Examples
∙ Cough and sneeze – clears lungs of debris
∙ Laughing
∙ Crying
∙ Yawn
∙ Hiccup
Factors Influencing Respiratory
Rate and Depth
∙ Physical factors
∙ Increased body temperature
∙ Exercise
∙ Talking
∙ Coughing
∙ Volition (conscious control)
∙ Emotional factors
Aging Effects
∙ Elasticity of lungs decreases
∙ Vital capacity decreases
∙ Blood oxygen levels decrease
∙ Stimulating effects of carbon dioxide
decreases
∙ More risks of respiratory tract infection
Respiratory Rate Changes
Throughout Life
∙ Newborns – 40 to 80 respirations per
minute
∙ Infants – 30 respirations per minute
∙ Age 5 – 25 respirations per minute
∙ Adults – 16 to 20 respirations per
minute
∙ Rate often increases somewhat with old
age
