This is a summary of the Anatomy of the Human Body's Respiratory System. It covers major functions and definitions, structures that compose the respiratory system, respiratory passages, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, and the blood supply of the lungs.
Very easy to read and understand!
List the functions of the Respiratory System: Pg. 827
Respiration or what we call breathing, is critical for homeostasis. The 2 broad aspects of
respiration are; ventilation and respiration. Ventilation is the movement of air into and out
of the lungs and Respiration is the diffusion of gases across plasma membranes.
In addition to respiration, the respiratory system performs the following functions:
1. Regulation of blood pH: the respiratory system can alter blood pH by changing blood
CO2 levels.
2. Production of chemical mediators: The lungs produce an enzyme called Angiotensin-
converting Enzyme (ACE) which is an important component of blood pressure
regulation.
3. Voice production: Air moving past the vocal folds makes sound and speech possible.
4. Olfaction: The sensation of smell occurs when airborne molecules are drawn into the
nasal cavity.
5. Protection: This system provides protection against some microorganisms by
preventing them from entering the body and removing them from respiratory
surfaces.
List the structures that compose the respiratory system:
There are several structures that make up the respiratory system:
1. External Nose: It encloses the chamber for air inspiration
2. Nasal cavity: is a cleaning, warming and humidifying chamber for inspired air.
3. Pharynx: commonly called the throat, it serves as a common passageway for food
and air.
4. Larynx: is usually called the voice box. Its rigid structure helps keep the airway
constantly open.
5. Trachea: also known as the windpipe. It serves as an air cleaning tube to funnel
inspired air into each lung.
6. Bronchi: are tubes that direct air into the lungs.
7. Lungs: each lung consists of a maze of air tubes, and a complex network of air sacs
(called alveoli and capillaries). Each air sac is the point of gas exchange between the
air and the blood.
***See figure 23.1 in textbook
Describe the anatomy of the respiratory passages from the nose to the alveoli:
The nose Consists of the external nose and the nasal cavity
External nose is the visible structure on our faces. The largest part of our noses is
made up of hyaline cartilage plates.
The nasal bone is an extension of the frontal and maxillary bones which
form the bridge of the nose or the place where glasses rest.
Nasal cavity Is the open chamber inside the nose where air enters the respiratory
system.
It opens posteriorly into the pharynx, this opening into the pharynx is
called the choanae.
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