The Respiratory

System and Their

Functions
Prepared by: Roselyn Q. Acpac-Magbutong, LPT.
The Respiratory
System
Why do we breathe? Think of
all the reasons why we need a
respiratory system.
 Terminology:
Respiration vs. Breathing
• Respiration is the aerobic breakdown of food (glucose)
in the mitochondria with the help of oxygen to make
ATP (energy).
• Respiratory systems are the organs in animals that
exchange gases with the environment.
• Breathing is defined as the physical process of
inhalation and exhalation wherein oxygen is obtained
and carbon dioxide is expelled.
 The Human
Respiratory System
 Respiratory System:
Function
• Respiratory systems allow animals to
move oxygen (needed for cellular
respiration) into body tissues and remove
carbon dioxide (waste product of cellular
respiration) from cells.
 Divisions of
Respiratory System
A. The Upper Respiratory Tract
• The upper airway not only provides
a passage for air to be breathed in
and out of the lungs, but it also
heats, humidifies and filters the air
and is involved in cough,
swallowing and speech.
 1. Nasal Cavity
The Nose
The external opening of the nose
is the nostrils or anterior nares.

The dividing partition between the

nostrils is the nasal septum, which forms
two nasal cavities.
Each cavity is divided into 3 air passages:
the superior, middle, and inferior
conchae.
 Inside the nasal cavity is the
vestibule region, where:
• mucus traps microorganisms
and other debris in the inhaled
air;
• hair-like structure, called cilia
are present that sweep and
trapped foreign particles out;
and
• serves as the first line of
defense against foreign
Functions of the Nose
The nose has 5 functions:
1. It serves as an air passageway.
2. It warms and moistens inhaled air.
3. Its cilia and mucous membrane trap dust,
pollen, bacteria, and foreign matter.
4. It contains olfactory receptors, which smell
odors.
5. It aids in phonation and the quality of voice.
 2. Pharynx
• The pharynx is the correct term for
the throat. It is a muscular and
membranous tube that is about 5
inches long, extending downward
from the base of the skull. It
eventually becomes the esophagus.

• The nasopharynx is behind the

nose; the oropharynx is behind the
mouth; the laryngopharynx is
behind the larynx.
How does pharynx ensures that food does not
enter the wind pipe by mistake?
•Epiglottis
 3. Larynx
• The larynx, commonly called
the voicebox, is located at the
upper end of the trachea, below
the root of the tongue and hyoid
bone. It is lined with mucous
membrane.
• The larynx contains vocal cords,
which produce sound.
• Short, tense vocal cords produce
high notes; long relaxed vocal
cords produce low notes.
B. The Lower Respiratory Tract
•The lower respiratory system, or lower
respiratory tract, consists of the trachea,
the bronchi and bronchioles, and the
alveoli, which make up the lungs.
•These structures pull in air from the
upper respiratory system, absorb the
oxygen, and release carbon dioxide in
1. Trachea
• The trachea or windpipe is a
smooth, muscular tube
leading from the larynx to the
main bronchi.
• Cartilage rings prevent Trachea
crushing of the trachea
The trachea is the passageway for air to and from the lungs.
It is lined with cilia (hairs), which sweep foreign matter out
of the pathway. It is only about 1 inch in diameter and 4 ½
inches long.
 C-shaped rings
of cartilage
provide
protection on the
front and sides
 2. Bronchi (s.bronchus)
• The bronchi are the two main
branches at the bottom of the
trachea, providing passageway for
air to the lungs. The trachea
divides into the right bronchus and
the left bronchus, and then divides
further into the bronchial tree.
• As the branches of the bronchial
tree get smaller, the 2 primary
bronchi become bronchioles, and
then very small alveolar ducts.
The left bronchi is smaller than the right bronchi, because
room is needed to accommodate the heart.

If a foreign body is inhaled

or aspirated (drawn by
suction), it usually lodges in
the larger right bronchi (as
shown in this Xray) or enters
the right lung.
3. Alveoli (s. alveolus)
• grape-like structures
• actual site of gas exchange
How does gas exchange
happen in alveoli?
to be continued...
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THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION