Respiratory System: From Inspiration to Expiration Explained
Components of the Respiratory System:
Filters, warms, and humidifies inhaled air. The nasal cavity also contains olfactory receptors for the sense of smell.
Connects the nasal cavity and mouth to the larynx. It serves as a common pathway for both air and food.
Contains the vocal cords and plays a crucial role in phonation (production of sound). It also acts as a passageway for air traveling to and from the trachea.
Conducts air from the larynx to the bronchi. The trachea is reinforced with cartilage rings to maintain its structure.
The trachea divides into two bronchi, each leading to one lung. The bronchi further branch into smaller bronchioles, facilitating the passage of air into the lungs.
The primary organs of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs.
Bronchioles: Small air passages that lead to the alveoli.
Alveoli: Tiny air sacs where oxygen is taken up by the blood and carbon dioxide is released for exhalation.
A muscular sheet separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm contribute to the process of breathing.
Intercostal Muscles: Muscles between the ribs that assist in expanding and contracting the chest during breathing.
Accessory Respiratory Muscles: Additional muscles that may be recruited during increased respiratory effort.
Functions of the Respiratory System:
The process of inhaling and exhaling air, allowing for the exchange of gases in the lungs.
Gas Exchange (External Respiration):
In the alveoli of the lungs, oxygen from inhaled air diffuses into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli for exhalation.
Oxygen is transported by red blood cells to tissues, and carbon dioxide is carried back to the lungs for exhalation.
The respiratory system helps maintain the body's acid-base balance by regulating the levels of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate ions in the blood.
The nose and nasal cavity contain olfactory receptors, contributing to the sense of smell.
The larynx and vocal cords play a crucial role in producing sound for speech.
Filtering and Humidifying Air:
The nasal cavity filters out particles from inhaled air, and it also humidifies and warms the air before it reaches the lungs.
Protective mechanism to expel irritants or mucus from the respiratory tract.
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