Respiratory system of Anatomy

• Respiratory system is a vital organ system responsible for gas exchange, supplying oxygen to the body and removing carbon dioxide.

• Here’s an overview of its anatomy, divided into the upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract:

Upper Respiratory Tract

Nasal Cavity:

• Structure: Divided by the nasal septum; contains turbinates (conchae) to increase surface area.
• Function: Filters, warms, and moistens incoming air; houses olfactory receptors for smell.

Sinuses:

• Structure: Air-filled cavities in the skull (e.g., frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, and ethmoid sinuses).
• Function: Lighten the skull, enhance voice resonance, and aid in warming/moistening air.

Pharynx (Throat):

• Sections:
  • Nasopharynx: Connects to the nasal cavity; contains the adenoids and openings of the Eustachian tubes.
  • Oropharynx: Shared passageway for air and food.
  • Laryngopharynx: Leads to the larynx and esophagus.
• Function: Directs air to the larynx.

Larynx (Voice Box):

• Structure: Composed of cartilage (e.g., thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and epiglottis).
• Function: Protects the airway during swallowing (via the epiglottis) and facilitates sound production.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Trachea (Windpipe):

• Structure: A tube supported by C-shaped cartilage rings, lined with ciliated epithelium and mucus-producing goblet cells.
• Function: Provides a clear airway to the lungs and filters debris.

Bronchi:

• Structure: Two main bronchi (left and right), branching into smaller secondary and tertiary bronchi.
• Function: Distribute air to each lung.

Bronchioles:

• Structure: Smaller branches of bronchi without cartilage, ending in alveolar ducts.
• Function: Control airflow resistance and air distribution within the lungs.

Alveoli:

• Structure: Tiny air sacs surrounded by capillaries, with thin walls for efficient gas exchange.
• Function: Site of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.

Lungs:

• Structure: Paired organs divided into lobes (3 on the right, 2 on the left due to the heart’s position).
• Function: Expand and contract during breathing to facilitate gas exchange.

Associated Structures of Respiratory system

Diaphragm:

• Structure: A dome-shaped muscle located below the lungs.
• Function: Primary muscle for respiration; contracts to draw air into the lungs.

Intercostal Muscles:

Thank you for reading from Firsthope's notes, don't forget to check YouTube videos!