AMA Anatomy & Physiology/Medical Terminology/Pathology 10 Respiratory System

Function: Mechanical process of breathing, or exchange of air between the lungs and the external environment, and the exchange of gases at the cellular level External respiration: oxygen is inhaled into the lungs and passed into blood vessels (capillaries), carbon dioxide passes from cells into capillaries and is exhaled External respiration: oxygen is inhaled into the lungs and passed into blood vessels (capillaries), carbon dioxide passes from cells into capillaries and is exhaled Internal respiration: exchange of gases in all body cells, oxygen is released into cells from the capillaries and carbon dioxide is sent from the cells into the capillaries Internal respiration: exchange of gases in all body cells, oxygen is released into cells from the capillaries and carbon dioxide is sent from the cells into the capillaries

Structure of the Respiratory System: Nose: air enters body here Nose: air enters body here Nasal cavity: filters foreign bodies; warms and moistens air Nasal cavity: filters foreign bodies; warms and moistens air Paranasal sinuses: air-containing spaces in the skull; produce mucus to lubricate and help produce sound Paranasal sinuses: air-containing spaces in the skull; produce mucus to lubricate and help produce sound Pharynx: throat Pharynx: throat Nasopharynx: division of the throat that contains adenoids Nasopharynx: division of the throat that contains adenoids Adenoids: collections of lymphatic tissue Adenoids: collections of lymphatic tissue Oropharynx: division of the throat that contains tonsils Oropharynx: division of the throat that contains tonsils Palatine tonsils: rounded masses of lymphatic tissue Palatine tonsils: rounded masses of lymphatic tissue Laryngopharynx: serves as a common passage for food from the mouth and air from the nose; divides into two passages Laryngopharynx: serves as a common passage for food from the mouth and air from the nose; divides into two passages Larynx: voice box Larynx: voice box Esophagus: leads to the stomach, carries food to be digested Esophagus: leads to the stomach, carries food to be digested Epiglottis: flap of cartilage on root of the tongue that prevents choking or aspiration of food; acts as a lid to cover the larynx when swallowing Epiglottis: flap of cartilage on root of the tongue that prevents choking or aspiration of food; acts as a lid to cover the larynx when swallowing

Structure of the Respiratory System Continued: Trachea: windpipe, tube connecting larynx to the bronchial tubes Trachea: windpipe, tube connecting larynx to the bronchial tubes Bronchial tubes: branches of the trachea that lead to each lung Bronchial tubes: branches of the trachea that lead to each lung Bronchi: smaller branches of the bronchial tubes; branches out to smaller and smaller tubes like the branches of a tree. Bronchi: smaller branches of the bronchial tubes; branches out to smaller and smaller tubes like the branches of a tree. Lungs: two sack-like breathing organs in thoracic cavity; right has 3 lobes, left has 2 lobes Lungs: two sack-like breathing organs in thoracic cavity; right has 3 lobes, left has 2 lobes Bronchioles: smaller branches of the bronchi that narrow into alveolar ducts Bronchioles: smaller branches of the bronchi that narrow into alveolar ducts Alveoli: collections of air sacs at the end of the terminal bronchiole Alveoli: collections of air sacs at the end of the terminal bronchiole Capillary: smallest blood vessel; surrounds alveoli where exchange of gases occurs Capillary: smallest blood vessel; surrounds alveoli where exchange of gases occurs Erythrocytes: red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of the body and carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation Erythrocytes: red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of the body and carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation Parietal pleura: outer membrane covering lungs Parietal pleura: outer membrane covering lungs Visceral pleura: inner membrane covering lungs Visceral pleura: inner membrane covering lungs Diaphragm: muscular partition that separates the thoracic from the abdominal cavity; aids in breathing by contracting and relaxing, helping air to enter and leave the lungs Diaphragm: muscular partition that separates the thoracic from the abdominal cavity; aids in breathing by contracting and relaxing, helping air to enter and leave the lungs