Main Parts of the Respiratory System and their

Function
The nostrils: Nostrils are involved in air intake, i.e. they bring air into the nose, where air is
warmed and humidified. The tiny hairs called cilia filters out dust present in the air and protects
the respiratory tract.

Trachea: The trachea is also known as windpipe. The trachea filters the air we inhale and
branches into the bronchi.

Bronchi: The bronchi are the two air tubes that branch off of from the trachea and carry
atmospheric air directly into the lungs.

Alveolus: Alveolus is the tiny sac like structure present in the lungs which the gaseous
exchange takes place.

Lungs: The main organ of the respiratory system is lungs. Lungs are the site in body where
oxygen is taken into and carbon dioxide is expelled out. The red blood cells present in the blood
picks up the oxygen in the lungs and carry and distribute the oxygen to all body cells that need it.
The red blood cells donate the oxygen to the cells and picks up the carbon dioxide produced by
the cells.

Diaphragm: Breathing begins with a dome-shaped muscle located at the bottom of the lungs
which is known as diaphragm. When we breathe in the diaphragm contracts and flatten out and
pull downward. Due to this movement the space in the lungs increases and pulls air into the
lungs. When we breathe out, the diaphragm expands and reduces the amount of space for the
lungs and forces air out.

Adaptations of the alveoli:

 Large surface area - many alveoli are present in the lungs with a shape that further
increases surface area.
 Thin walls - alveolar walls are thin, providing gases with a short diffusion distance.
 Moist walls - gases dissolve in the moisture helping them to pass across the gas
exchange surface.
 Permeable walls - allow gases to pass through.
 Extensive blood supply - ensuring oxygen rich blood is taken away from the lungs and
carbon dioxide rich blood is taken to the lungs.

Common diseases of the respiratory system include:

 Asthma. Your airways narrow and make too much mucus.

 Bronchiectasis. Inflammation and infection make your bronchial walls thicker.
 Pneumonia. An infection causes inflammation in your alveoli. They might fill up with
fluid or pus.
 Tuberculosis. A bacterium causes this dangerous infection. It usually affects your
lungs but might also involve your kidney, spine, or brain.
 Lung cancer. Cells in your lung change and grow into a tumor. This often happens
because of smoking or other chemicals you’ve breathed in.