The Respiratory System Flashcards
Function of the respiratory system
Bring air from the atmosphere into the lungs
Transfer oxygen into the blood
Remove carbon dioxide from the blood
Expel heat and water vapour in the air breathed out
Allow the vocal cords to create speech as air is breathed out
Nasal cavity function
Warms and filters air
Pharynx function
The ‘throat’ which allows food and air to pass. Air is channeled into the larynx
Larynx function
The ‘voice box’. Air passes through the larynx on its way to the trachea. The vocal cords and in the larynx
Trachea function
The airway through which the air passes on its way to the bronchi
Bronchi function
The trachea branches into two bronchi, one for each lung
Bronchioles function
The bronchi divide into smaller bronchioles, which divide into even smaller bronchioles and so on until the terminal bronchioles are reached
Terminal bronchioles function
The terminal bronchioles branch again to form respiratory bronchioles, which also branch to form alveoli or air sacs
Alveoli function
Microscopic air sacs at the end of the respiratory bronchioles. Each one is surrounded by capillaries, which is where gas exchange occurs
What are the mechanics of breathing
Inspiration - breathe in
Expiration - breathe out
Inspiration - breathing in
Is initiated by the diaphragm