Respiratory system Flashcards
Nasal Cavity
Filters, warms & moistens air before it enters the lungs.
Contains smell receptors.
Pharynx / Throat
Air from the nasal cavity passes through on the way to the lungs
Trachea
Carries air to and from the lungs
Lined with a mucus membrane and cilia
The cilia move mucus and trapped particles upwards to be expelled.
Bronchi
Two primary bronchi branches from the trachea
Divides into secondary bronchi.
Alveoli
Tiny air sacs that make up most of the lung at the end of the bronchioles
Covered in capillaries for gas exchange
Bronchioles
Very fine tubes with walls of smooth muscles
The finest of them end in alveoli
Lungs
Occupies most of the chest cavity
Covered in pleural membrane
Ribs
Structure and support for the chest and lungs
Intercostal muscles
Muscles between the ribs
Pulls the ribs up and out when inhaling
Pulls the ribs down and in when exhaling
Diaphragm
Separates the chest from the abdomen
Contracts and flattens down to make more space for the lungs to take in air