The Respiratory System

Respiratory Intro The respiratory system helps you breath in and out, so oxygen (02) can be pumped through your body and carbon dioxide (CO2) can be removed from the blood stream. The respiratory system is made up of many different organs.

Respiratory Overview Picture Nasal Cavity Nose Mouth Bronchus Bronchiole Alveoli Diaphragm Throat (pharynx) Windpipe (Trachea) Left lungs Ribs

The Nose and Mouth This is where it all begins. This is where the oxygen first enters your body and also where Carbon Dioxide leaves.

The Nose and Mouth When the air comes into your nose it gets filtered by tiny hairs called cilia and it is moistened by the mucus that is in your nose. Your sinuses also help out with your Respiratory System. They help to moisten and heat the air that you breath. Air can also get into your body through your mouth/oral cavity but air is not filtered as much when it enters in through your mouth.

Nose and Mouth Picture Nasal Cavity Nostril Oral Cavity Pharynx Lleft lung trachea

The Pharynx and Trachea Next we will head down to your pharynx (throat) and your trachea (windpipe). This is where the air passes from your nose to your bronchi tubes and lungs.

The Pharynx and Trachea (Throat) Mouth Trachea Your pharynx (throat) gathers air after it passes through your nose and then the air is passed down to your trachea (windpipe). Your trachea is held open by “incomplete rings of cartilage.” Without these rings your trachea might close off and air would not be able to get to and from your lungs.

Where are We? Nasal Passage Tongue Pharynx We are here. Bronchi Tubes Alveoli (air-sacs) Thin-walled blood vessels called capillaries Very thin cells line the alveoli so that O2 and CO2 can pass in and out of the blood. Bronchioles pass air to and from your alveoli. The Trachea is held open by partial rings of cartilage. Tongue Pharynx Where are We? We are here.

The Bronchi Tubes and Bronchiole Intro Your trachea (windpipe) splits up into two bronchi tubes. These two tubes keep splitting up and form your bronchiole.

The Bronchi Tubes and Bronchiole These bronchi tubes split up, like tree branches, and get smaller and smaller inside your lungs. The air flows past your bronchi tubes and into your bronchiole. These tubes keep getting smaller and smaller until they finally end with small air sacs (called alveoli). But we will go there later…

Alveoli and Bronchi Picture Trachea Bronchi Tubes Bronchiole Alveoli

Where are We? Nasal Passage Tongue Pharynx Bronchi Tubes Alveoli (air-sacs) Thin-walled blood vessels called capillaries Very thin cells line the alveoli so that O2 and CO2 can pass in and out of the blood. Bronchioles pass air to and from your alveoli. The Trachea is held open by partial rings of cartilage. Tongue Pharynx Where are We? We are here.

The Alveoli and Capillary Network Now we will head over to the alveoli and what happens when the air finally makes it down there.

The Alveoli and Capillary Network Your alveoli are tiny air sacs that fill up with air/oxygen when you breath in. Your alveoli are surrounded by many tiny blood vessels called capillaries. The walls of your alveoli (and capillaries) are so thin that the oxygen or carbon dioxide can pass through them, traveling right into, or out of your blood stream.

Alveoli Picture Here is a close Capillary up picture of your Alveoli and a Capillary surrounding it. Capillary Red Blood Cell Oxygen is picked up Carbon Dioxide is dropped off Wall of the air sac

Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcxyVN49QtI&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwXvqSqAgKc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU_8juD3YzQ