RESPIRATORY

SYSTEM

Dr. Jamila ELmedany

RESPIRATORYSTRUCTURES
• The respiratory system is
composed of:
• Upper respiratory structures:
• Nose.
• Pharynx.
• Larynx (upper part).
• Trachea.
• Lower respiratory structures:
• Larynx (lower part) Trachea,
Bronchi & Bronchioles.
• Lungs & Alveoli.
NOSE
• It opens externally on the face
by the Nostrils (external
nares).
• The nasal cavity is divided
into two halves by the midline
Nasal Septum.
• It is separated from the oral
cavity by the Palate.
• It opens into the pharynx
through the Choanae (internal
nares).
NASAL MUCOSA
• Olfactory mucosa:
• lines the upper part of
the nasal cavity.
• It is delicate and contains
olfactory nerve cells.
• The rest of the nasal
mucosa is Respiratory.
Respiratory Mucosa
• It lines the lower part of the nasal
cavity
• It is thick, ciliated highly vascular
and contains mucous glands &
goblet cells
• It functions to moisten, clean and
warm the inspired air.
• The air is moistened by the
secretion of numerous serous
glands.
• It is cleaned by the removal of the
dust particles by the ciliary action
of the columnar ciliated epithelium
that covers the mucosa.
• The air is warmed by a submucous
venous plexus.
• Marked by: Lateral wall
• 3 projections;
• (Nasal Conchae).
• Superior, Middle, and
Inferior
• They increase the
surface area of the
mucosa exposed to the
air.
• The space below each
concha is called
Meatus.
• Superior, Middle, and
Inferior Meatuses.

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PHARYNX (THROAT)
• A muscular tube,
• It is a common pathway for food
and air.
• Terminates in the Esophagus.
• Named according to the part it
passes behind:
• Nasopharynx :
• Behind Nasal cavity
• Oropharynx : Behind Oral
cavity.
• Laryngopharynx : Behind
Larynx
• THE NASO & OROPHARYNX
ARE PARTS OF THE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
NASOPHARYNX
• It is continuous with the nasal
cavity through the Internal
Nares.
• It receives the openings of the
Pharyngotympanic tubes
(Auditory tubes) to be
connected with the middle ear.
Laryngopharynx
• It is the lowest part.
• It terminates in the
esophagus below.
• It receives air from and to
nasopharynx.
• Similarly food passes with
the air through the oro and
laryngopharynx but it is
directed into the esophagus
posteriorly.
LARYNX (Voice Box)
• It is located inferior to the
pharynx.
• It has a role in speech.
• Formed of (8) rigid
Hyaline Cartilages and a
spoon shaped flap of
Elastic cartilage
(Epiglottis)
• The Thyroid cartilage is
the largest of the hyaline
cartilages, it protrudes
anteriorly to form
Adam’s apple.
• During swallowing (food or
air) the larynx is pulled
upward and the epiglottis
tips to form a lid over the
opening of the larynx (to
protect the lower respiratory
passages).
• This routes food into the
esophagus posteriorly.
• If anything other than air
enters the larynx, a cough
reflex is initiated to expel
the substance and prevents it
from continuing into the
lungs.
•
Vocal (Folds) Cords
• They are made of the
mucous membrane of
the larynx.
• They vibrate with the
expelled air and
produce sounds.
• The passage between
them is the Glottis.
TRACHEA
• Begins as a continuation of
the larynx.
• Ends at the level of T(4)/(5).
• It is (10-12) cm.
• Its walls are reinforced with
C shaped hyaline cartilages.
• The open parts of the rings
allow the esophagus to
expand anteriorly during
swallowing.
• The rigid parts keep the
trachea patent.
Main (Primary) Bronchi
• Right and Left.
• Formed from the
division of the trachea.
• They run obliquely to
enter the hilum of the
corresponding lung.
Right Main Bronchus
• In comparison with the
Left main bronchus, it is:
• Wider.
• Shorter.
• Straighter.
• It is the more common
site to lodge foreign
bodies.
I

LUNGS
• Paired organs.
• Lie in the thoracic cavity on
each side of the Mediastinum.
• They are covered with pleura.
PLEURA
• A serous membrane.
• It secretes pleural fluid, a
serous secretion that allows
the lungs to glide easily over
the thoracic wall during
respiration.
• It is divided into two layers:
• Visceral (pulmonary):
• Covers the lungs closely.
• Parietal :
• Lines the thoracic walls.
 • Each lung has :
• Apex :
• Narrow and lies deep to the clavicle.
• Base :
• Broad and rests on the diaphragm.
• Fissures :
• Two in the right lung and one in the left.
• Lobes :
• The right lung has three lobes (Upper,
Middle and Lower).
• The left lung has two lobes (upper and
lower)
Base
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TWO
LUNGS
• The right lung :
shorter, broader
,heavier and its base is
more concave.
• The left lung:
• Longer, narrower and its
anterior border has a
concavity to lodge the
heart.
 Respiratory (Bronchial) TREE
• Composed of:
• 1. Primary (main)
7 bronchi.
• 2. Secondary bronchi.
1
6 • 3. Tertiary bronchi.
2
• 4. Terminal bronchioles.
• 5. Respiratory
bronchioles.
3 5
4 • 6. Alveolar ducts.
• 7. Alveolar sacs.
Respiratory Zone
• It is the only site for gas
exchange in the lungs.
• It consists of:
• 1. Respiratory
bronchioles.
• 2. Alveolar ducts.
• 3. Alveolar sacs.
• 4. Alveoli.
• Millions of alveoli make
up the bulk of the lungs
which are mostly air
spaces.
Conducting Zone
• It conducts air to and from the
respiratory zone.
• It consists of :
• 1. Nose.
• 2. Pharynx.
• 3. Larynx.
• 4. Trachea.
• 5. Bronchi.
• 6.Terminal bronchioles.
Thank
You
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