Lets learn about respiratory system anatomy.
The respiratory system takes in oxygen for our cells and releases carbon dioxide.
It is divided into 2 large sections.
The upper respiratory tract consists of the nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx.
The lower respiratory tract includes the trachea, bronchi and lungs.
The nasal cavity contains bony processes called conchae or turbinates.
There are superior, middle and inferior conchae.
The superior and middle conchae are processes on the ethmoid bone.
The inferioir conchae extend from the maxillary bone.
The Nasal conchae create tubulent airflow for heating, cleaning and humidifying the
air.
Air passes from the nasal cavity to the pharynx.
There are 3 parts of the pharynx.
The nasopharynx extends to the end of the soft palate, the oropharynx extends from the
soft palate to the epiglottis and the laryngopharynx from the epiglottis to the glottis.
The larynx extends below the hyoid bone and contains the large thyroid cartilage or adams
apple.
Just below the thyroid cartilage is the cricoid cartilage.
Here is a posterior view of the larynx.
We can see a cartilage flap called the epiglottis.
The epiglottis closes when swallowing to protect the airway.
We can also see the vocal cords.
The true vocal cords produce sounds.
The false vocal cords or vestibular folds are membranes extending from the arytenoid
cartilages.
Here is a close up of the vocal cords.
We can see the true and false vocal cords along with a triangular space called the glottis
which forms when the vocal cords are relaxed.
Air moves from the larynx to the trachea.
The trachea splits at an area called the carina into 2 primary bronchi.
The trachea contains rings of hyaline cartilage.
The rings are open in the back to allow for some flexibility.
The primary bronchi split into secondary bronchi which divide into tertiary bronchi which again
divide into smaller passages called bronchioles and terminal bronchioles.
The trachea is lined with ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium and mucous secreting goblet
cells.
The cilia work to clean the respiratory tract by moving debris toward the pharynx.
Air from the tiny respiratory bronchioles reaches the alveolar ducts and flows into
the alveolus..the functional unit of the lung where gas exchange occurs.
The alveolus contains type I pneumocytes.
where gas exchange occurs.
It also contains type II pneumocytes that secrete surfactant.
Surfactant is a substance that reduces surface tension to keep the lungs from collapsing.
The right lung has 3 lobes.
There are superior, middle and inferior lobes.
The left lung only has 2 lobes which include a superior and inferior lobe.
The right lung also has horizontal and oblique fissures.
The left lung only has an oblique fissure.
Some other structures include the cardiac impression or notch and the hilum or root
of the lung where the vessels enter.
There are 2 pleural membranes.
The visceral pleura is a thin membrane on the surface of the lung.
The parietal pleura is a membrane lining the inside of the thoracic cavity.
Between the membranes is a space called the pleural cavity.
This space contains fluid that helps reduce friction and sticks to the lungs to help to
keep them inflated.
We hope you have learned something about respiratory system anatomy and see you next time.