Respiratory System, Class notes Anatomy

The Respiratory System - Anatomy

What Does it Do?
The Respiratory System is a network of organs and tissues that work togther to bring
oxygen into the body and exhale carbon dioxide




Main Functions
Breathing
Gas Exchange
Filtering, warming, and humidifying inhaled air
Protection
Speech


Key Components
Upper Respiratory Tract: Nose, nasal cavity, mouth, sinuses, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice
box).
Lower Respiratory Tract: Trachea (windpipe), bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, alveoli
Muscles: Diaphragm and intercostal muscles

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Nose/Mouth The entry points for air

Pharynx (Throat) Shared passage for air and food

Larynx (Voice Box) Contains vocal cords, and directs air to
trachea

Trachea (Windpipe) The main airway leading to the lungs

Bronchi & Bronchioles The trachea splits into bronchi , that branch
into smaller bronchioles withing the lungs

Lungs The primary organs where gas exchange
happens in tiny air sacs (alveoli)

Diaphram A muscle below the lungs that contracts and
relaxes to facilitate breathing

Alveoli Air sacs at the end of the airways in the lungs.
Alveoli facilitate gas exchange bewteen
inhaled air and the bloodstream