structure of the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Question 1

nasal cavity

Answer 1

• filters air by the nose hairs
• warms and moistens air before it enters the lungs
• mucus traps dust etc

Question 2

why does the air need to be moistened?

Answer 2

because gasses cannot diffuse through dry substances

Question 3

pharynx (throat)

Answer 3

air passes through to travel to lungs

Question 4

epiglottis

Answer 4

• a flap of tissue that closes during swallowing so food and liquid cannot enter the lungs

Question 5

bronchioles

Answer 5

• very fine tubes of smooth muscle
  -lead to the alveoli
• expands when the body needs more air
• when sick they are inflamed and filled with mucus

Question 6

alveoli

Answer 6

• tiny air sacs that make up most of the lung
  -occur in clusters
  -very thin walls that are lined with blood capillary for the exchange of gases

Question 7

diaphragm

Answer 7

• a muscle that separates from the chest and abdomen
• contracts and flattens downwards
• allows room for lungs when they inflate

Question 8

larynx (voicebox)

Answer 8

contains vocal cords that vibrate to make sound

Question 9

trachea

Answer 9

• contains C shapes cartilage that hold the structure open
• carries air to and from the lungs
• lined with mucus and cilia (beat to move the phlegm upwards) to trap any dust and debris

Question 10

lungs

Answer 10

• occupy all the space in the chest cavity except for the mediastinum where the heart in
• covered in a pleural membrane
• pleural fluid between the 2 layers that holds the lungs against the chest

Question 11

bronchi

Answer 11

-branch of the trachea into each lung
- has C shaped cartilage rings

Question 12

ribs

Answer 12

the framework for the chest

Question 13

intercostal muscles

Answer 13

• muscles between the ribs
• they move the ribcage upwards and outwards to allow room for the lungs when they inflate.