anatomy of respiratory system

Question 1

what is the function the respiratory system?

Answer 1

-gas exchange between the blood and external environment occur only in the alveoli of the lungs

Question 2

what does the respiratory system include?

Answer 2

-upper respiratory system includes passageways from the nose to larynx
-lower respiratory system includes passageways from trachea to alveoli

Question 3

nasal cavity

Answer 3

-mucosa lines the nasal cavity
-moistens air, traps incoming foreign particles
-destroys bacteria, moves contaminated mucus to the posterior of throat
-traps inhaled particles

Question 4

the pharynx

Answer 4

-commonly called the throat
-oropharynx and laryngopharynx serve as common passageway for air and food
-tonsils protect the body from infection by protecting the openings of the pharynx

Question 5

the larynx

Answer 5

-commonly called the voice box
-routes air and food into proper channels
-plays a role in speech
-located inferior to the pharynx

Question 6

the trachea

Answer 6

-commonly known as the windpipe
-walls are reinforced with hyaline cartilage
-lined with ciliated mucosa to clear airways
-goblet cells produce mucus

Question 7

the main bronchi and lungs

Answer 7

-right bronchus wider, shorter and straighter than the left
-bronchi subdivide into smaller and smaller branches and eventually into bronchioles
-pleural fluid decreases friction during breathing

Question 8

organs in the thoracic cavity

Answer 8

-heart
-lungs
-trachea
-esophagus
-thymus

Question 9

respiratory membrane

Answer 9

-respiratory membrane (air-blood barrier) formed by alveolar and capillary
-gases cross the respiratory membrane by diffusion
-alveolar macrophages pick up bacteria, carbon particles and other debris