Respiratory System

-ventilation or breathing; movement of air into and out of the lungs

-exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between air in the lungs and the blood
-transport or oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood
-the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and the tissues

Function:
1. Regulation of blood Ph
2. Voice production
3. Olfaction
4. Innate Immunity

Anatomy:
Upper Respiratory Tract Lower Respiratory Tract
a. NOSE a. TRACHEA
b. PHARYNX (THROAT) b. BRONCHI
c. LARYNX c. LUNGS

A. NOSE
 External Nose
o visible structure that forms a prominent feature of the face
o composed of Hyaline Cartilage (the bridges consist of bone)
- NARES (NOSTRILS) – openings of the nose
- CHOANAE – openings into the pharynx
 Nasal Cavity
o a partition dividing the nasal cavity into right and left parts
- DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUM – occurs when the septum bulges to one side
- HARD PALATE – forms the floor of the nasal cavity, separating the nasal cavity from the oral
cavity
- CONCHAE – 3 prominent bony ridges; present on the lateral walls on each side of nasal cavity
- increase the surface area of the nasal cavity and cause air to churn, so that it
can be cleansed, humidified, and warmed
- PARANASAL SINUSES – air-filled spaces within bone
- Maxillary, Frontal, Ethmoidal, Sphenoidal Sinuses
- open into the nasal cavity and are lined with a mucous membrane
- they reduce the weight of the skull, produce mucus, and influence the
quality of the voice by acting as resonating chambers
- SINUSITIS – inflammation of the mucous membrane of a sinus, especially one or more of the
paranasal sinuses
- sinus opening into the nasal cavity can be partially or completely blocked
- mucous accumulation within the sinus can promote the development of a bacterial
infection
- combination of build-up mucus and inflamed and infected mucous membranes
produces pain
- NASOLACRIMAL DUCTS – which carry tears from the eyes; also open into the nasal cavity
 The coarse hairs just inside the nares and the mucus produced by the goblet cells trap large dust particles.
 Cilia sweep the debris-laden mucus toward the pharynx, where it is swallowed. The acid in the stomach kills any
bacteria that were trapped by the mucus.
 Air is warmed by the blood vessels underlying the mucous epithelium. It is humidified by moisture in the mucous
epithelium.
 SNEEZE REFLEX – dislodges foreign substances from the nasal cavity; the uvula and the soft palate are
depressed, so that rapidly flowing air from the lungs is directed primarily through nasal passages, although a
considerable amount passes through the oral cavity.
 PUPILLARY REFLEX – causes pupils to constrict in response to bright light
 PHONIC SNEEZE REFLEX (ACHOO) – autosomal-dominant-compelling-helio-opthalmic-outburst

B. PHARYNX
 common passageway for both the respiratory and the digestive systems
 inferiorly, the pharynx leads to the rest of the respiratory system through the opening into the larynx
and to the digestive system through the esophagus
 lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium that is continuous with the nasal cavity
i. NASOPHAYNX
o superior part of pharynx; located posterior to choanae and superior to soft palate
o Soft Palate – an incomplete muscle and connective tissue partition separating the
nasopharynx from the oropharynx; forms the floor of nasopharynx; is elevated during
swallowing *****this movement closes the nasopharynx and prevents food from
passing from the oral cavity into the nasopharynx*****
o Uvula – posterior extension of soft palate
o Pharyngeal Tonsil – helps defend the body against infection
ii. OROPHARYNX
o extends from the uvula to the epiglottis, and the oral cavity opens into the oropharynx
o food, drinks and air all pass through here
o lined with stratified squamous epithelium, which protects against abrasion
o PALATINE TONSILS – located in the lateral walls near border of the OC & Oropharynx
o LINGUAL TONSILS – located on the surface of the posterior part of the tongue
iii. LARYNGOPHARYNX
o passes posterior to the larynx and extends from the tip of the epiglottis to the
esophagus.
o small amount of air is usually swallowed with the food and drink
o swallowing too much air can cause excess gas in the stomach and may result in belching
o lined with stratified squamous epithelium, and ciliated columnar epithelium

C. LARYNX (voice box)

 located in the anterior throat and extends from the base of the tongue to the trachea
 maintains an open airway
 protects the airway during swallowing
 produces the voice
 consists of 9 cartilage structures; 3 singles & 3 paired (connected by muscles & ligaments)
 THYROID CARTILAGE (Adam’s Apple) – 1st single & largest cartilage; attached to hyoid bone
 CRICOID CARTILAGE – 2nd single& most inferior cartilage; forms the base of larynx on which
other cartilages rest; both maintain an open passageway for air movement
 EPIGLOTTIS – 3rd single; consist of elastic cartilage rather than hyaline cartilage; inferior margin
is attached to the thyroid cartilage anteriorly, and the superior part projects superiorly as a free
flap toward the tongue; protects the airway during swallowing; prevents swallowed materials
from entering the larynx by covering epiglottis; cover glottis
 CUNEIFORM CARTILAGE – middle cartilage