Ministry Of Higher Education and Science Research

Sulaimani Polytechnic University

Kalar Technical Institute

Nursing Department-Evening

Subject: Anatomy

Upper respiratory tract anatomy

By

Shvan kamaran salh

:Email
:.Phone no

Supervised by

Hasan muhamad
Content :
1. Introduction
2. What is Upper respiratory tract:
3. Upper Respiratory Tract Structural and Functional Anatomy consist of
4. Nose and Nasal Cavity
5. Mouth and Oral Cavity
6. Pharynx
7. Larynx
8. Lungs
9. Respiratory airways
10.The Hyoid Is the Only Bone in the Body That Doesn’t Touch Another Bone
11.Health Conditions Associated with the Upper Respiratory System
12.References

Introduction
The major passages and structures of the upper respiratory tract include the nose or nostrils,
nasal cavity, mouth, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx).

When you breathe in through your nose or mouth, the air is "filtered" through natural lines of
defense that protect against illness and irritation of the respiratory tract. Nasal hairs
(vibrissae) at the opening of the nostrils trap large particles of dust that might otherwise be
inhaled. The entire respiratory system, as with the reproductive, digestive, and urinary
systems, is lined with a mucous membrane that secretes mucus. The mucus traps smaller
particles like pollen or smoke. Hairlike structures called cilia line the mucous membrane and
move the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose.

The respiratory system, which includes air passages, pulmonary vessels, the lungs, and
breathing muscles, aids the body in the exchange of gases between the air and blood, and
between the blood and the body’s billions of cells. Most of the organs of the respiratory
system help to distribute air, but only the tiny, grape-like alveoli and the alveolar ducts are
responsible for actual gas exchange.

In addition to air distribution and gas exchange, the respiratory system filters, warms, and
humidifies the air you breathe. Organs in the respiratory system also play a role in speech
and the sense of smell.

The respiratory system also helps the body maintain homeostasis, or balance among the
many elements of the body’s internal environment.

The respiratory system is divided into two main components:

Upper respiratory tract

Lower respiratory tract

 ?What is Upper respiratory tract

Upper respiratory tract: Composed of the nose, the pharynx, and the larynx, the organs of the
upper respiratory tract are located outside the chest cavity.

 Nasal cavity: Inside the nose, the sticky mucous membrane lining the nasal cavity
traps dust particles, and tiny hairs called cilia help move them to the nose to be
sneezed or blown out.
 Sinuses: These air-filled spaces along side the nose help make the skull lighter.
 Pharynx: Both food and air pass through the pharynx before reaching their appropriate
destinations. The pharynx also plays a role in speech.
 Larynx: The larynx is essential to human speech.

Upper Respiratory Tract Structural and Functional Anatomy consist of

Nose and Nasal Cavity

The nostrils, the two round or oval holes below the external nose, are the primary entrance
into the human respiratory system . Lying just after the nostrils are the two nasal cavities,
lined with mucous membrane, and tiny hair-like projections called cilia . During inhalation,
the air passes into the nasal cavities through the nostrils, where it is cleaned (of any harmful
dust particles or bacteria) and humidified by the cilia and sticky mucus . The purified air then
makes its way into the next parts of the respiratory tract.

Paranasal Sinuses There are four paired hollow spaces within the bones surrounding the
nasal cavities that make the air remain within the cavities longer for humidifying it better, in
addition to making the skull lighter and protecting the face from trauma .They are also
instrumental in getting rid of the impurities trapped by the mucous membrane during
purification of air .

Mouth and Oral Cavity

Despite not being one of the primary organs making up the upper respiratory system, the
mouth is quite important in breathing, serving as an alternate pathway for air in case of a
nasal blockage .

Pharynx
Beginning from right after the nasal cavity, the pharynx or voice box connects with the
larynx below. The 4-5 inches long, funnel-shaped muscular tube   is responsible for carrying
both food and air from the oral cavity down the digestive and respiratory tracts
respectively [13]. It also plays a vital role in speech production , and fighting infections
(since it contains adenoids, or a collection of lymphatic tissues) .

Larynx
The larynx extends from the inferior end of the pharynx, continuing to the trachea, and
connecting the upper and lower respiratory tracts . Apart from acting as the passage for air to
flow into the trachea to reach the lungs , the larynx also houses the vocal cords that produce
sounds to let us speak and sing .

Like the nasal cavity, the rest of the parts of the upper respiratory tract also have a mucous
lining to trap any remaining impurities or pathogens from the inhaled air. The hair-like cilia
are also present to carry the debris back into the nasal cavity or pharynx, to be excreted
through the nostrils or channeled into the digestive system .

Lungs
The lungs take in oxygen. The cells of your body's cells need oxygen to live and carry out
their normal functions. The lungs also get rid of carbon dioxide, a waste product of the cells.
 The lungs are a pair of cone-shaped organs made up of spongy, pinkish-gray tissue. They
take up most of the space in the chest (thorax).

The lungs are surrounded by a membrane (pleura).

The lungs are separated from each other by the mediastinum, an area that contains the:

 Heart and its large vessels

 Trachea
 Esophagus
 Thymus gland
 Lymph nodes
The right lung has 3 sections, called lobes. The left lung has 2 lobes. When you breathe:

 Air enters your body through your nose or mouth.

 Air then travels down the throat through the larynx and trachea.
 Air goes into the lungs through tubes called main-stem bronchi.
One main-stem bronchus leads to the right lung and one to the left lung:

 In the lungs, the main-stem bronchi divide into smaller bronchi.

 The smaller bronchi divide into even smaller tubes (bronchioles).
 Bronchioles end in tiny air sacs (alveoli) where the exchange of oxygen and carbon
dioxide occurs.

Respiratory airways
As with the upper respiratory tract, the respiratory airways and the lungs are all lined
with respiratory epithelium. Once the air enters the larynx, it is purely within the respiratory
organs. It continues down the larynx and into the trachea which bifurcates into the left and
right main bronchi and then further in a tree branch like pattern into bronchioles.
 The Hyoid Is the Only Bone in the Body That Doesn’t Touch Another
Bone

The U-shaped hyoid bone, located just under the chin, is an important contributor to both
respiratory and digestive processes. The hyoid is attached to the tongue, and helps you to
swallow at the start of digestion. In the respiratory system, structures that produce sound
depend on the hyoid. The body and the greater horns of the bone serve as attachment points
for neck muscles that raise and lower the larynx during speech (as well as during
swallowing).
 Health Conditions Associated with the Upper Respiratory System
 Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)
 Influenza (Flu)
 Sinusitis
 Pharyngitis
 Allergic Rhinitis
 Whooping Cough
 Epiglottitis

References

 Neil S. Norton, Ph.D. and Frank H. Netter, MD.: Netter’s Head and Neck Anatomy for
Dentistry, 2nd Edition, Elsevier Saunders, Chapter 22 Introduction to the Upper Limb,
Back Thorax and Abdomen, Page 583.
 Frank H. Netter, MD.: Atlas of Human Anatomy, Fifth Edition, Saunders - Elsevier,
Chapter 3 Thorax, Subchapter 21. Lungs, Page 105 to 108.
 Tim Taylor: Respiratory system. InnerBody.
 https:// learn.canvas.net/courses/394/pages/anatomy-and-physiology-of-the-
respiratory-system
 https: //www .therespiratorysystem.com/category/upper-respiratory-tract/
 https: //www .healthline.com/human-body-maps/respiratory-system/male#3