Anatomy and Physiology: Lungs Upper Respiratory Tract The upper respiratory system consists of the nostrils (external

nares), nasal cavity, nasal vestibule, nasal septum, both hard and soft palate, nasopharynx, pharynx, larynx and trachea. Within the nostrils, course hairs protect us from dust, insects and sand. The hard palate serves to separate the oral and nasal cavities. There is a protective mucous membrane that lines the nasal cavities and other parts of the respiratory tract. It is secreted over the exposed surfaces and then the cilia sweep that mucus and any microorganisms or debris to the pharynx, so it is swallowed and then destroyed in stomach acids. Lower Respiratory Tract The trachea branches off into what is known as the bronchi (more commonly called bronchial tubes). These two main bronchi have branches forming the bronchial tree. Where it enters the lung, there is then secondary bronchus. In each lung, the secondary bronchus divides into tertiary bronchi and in turn these divide repeatedly into smaller bronchioles. The bronchioles control the ratio of resistance to airflow and distribution of air in our lungs. The bronchioles open into the alveolar ducts. Alveolar sacs are at the end of the ducts. These sacs are chambers that are connected to several individual alveoli, which make up the exchange surface of the lungs. The Lungs The human respiratory system has two lungs, which contain lobes separated by deep fissures. Surprisingly, the right lung has three lobes while the left one has only two lobes. The lungs are made up of elastic fibers that give it the ability to handle large changes in air volume. The pleural cavity is where the lungs are located. The diaphragm is the muscle that makes up the floor of the thoracic cavity and plays a major role in the pressure and volume of air moving in and out of the lungs. The lungs constitute the largest organ in the respiratory system. They play an important role in respiration, or the process of providing the body with oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. The lungs expand and contract up to 20 times per minute taking in and disposing of those gases. Air that is breathed in is filled with oxygen and goes to the trachea, which branches off into one of two bronchi. Each bronchus enters a lung. Within the lungs, the bronchi branch out into minute pathways that go through the lung tissue. The pathways are called bronchioles, and they end at microscopic air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli are surrounded by capillaries and provide oxygen for the blood in these vessels. The oxygenated blood is then pumped by the heart throughout the body. The alveoli also take in carbon dioxide, which is then exhaled from the body. Inhaling is due to contractions of the diaphragm and of muscles between the ribs. Exhaling results from relaxation of those muscles. Each lung is surrounded by a two-layered membrane, or the pleura, that under normal circumstances has a very, very small amount of fluid between the layers. The fluid allows the membranes to easily slide over each other during breathing.