Lower Respiratory Tract
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Lungs
Larynx
- Laryngitis:
- Inflammation of vocal folds
- Caused by overuse, dry air, infection
- In front of throat
- Consists of cartilage
- Thyroid cartilage:
- Largest piece of cartilage
- Called Adam’s apple
- Epiglottis:
- Piece of cartilage
- Flap that prevents swallowed materials from entering larynx
- Vocal folds/cords:
- Source of voice production
- Air moves past them, they vibrate, and sound is produced
- Force of air determine loudness
- Tension determines pitch
Pharynx = Throat
- Common passageway for resp. and dig. systems
- Nasopharynx: takes in air
- Oropharynx:
- Extends from uvula to epiglottis
- Takes in food, drink, and air
- Laryngopharynx:
- Extends from epiglottis to esophagus
- Food and drink pass through
- Uvula: = “little grape”
- Extension of soft palate
- Pharyngeal tonsil: aids in defending against infections
Nose
- External nose: composed of mainly of hyaline cartilage
- Nasal cavity:
- Extends from nares (nostrils) to choane
- Choane: openings to pharynx
- On each side of nasal cavity
- Increase surface area of nasal cavity
- Help in cleaning, humidifying, warming of air
- Hard palate is its roof
- Gas exchange
- Regulation of blood pH
- Voice Production
- Olfaction
- Innate Immunity
- Ventilation
Upper Respiratory Tract
- Functions of Nose
- Filters
- Airway for respiration
- Involved in speech
- Olfactory receptors
- Warms air
- Sneezing dislodges materials from nose
- External nose
- Nasal cavity
- Pharynx
Respiratory System- The Basics
- Paranasal sinuses:
- Air filled spaces within bone
- Open into nasal cavity
- Lined with mucous
- Nasolacrimal ducts:
- Carry tears from eyes
- Open into nasal cavity
Lungs
- Primary organ of respiration
- Cone shaped
- Rest on diaphragm
- Right lung has 3 lobes
- Left lung has 2 lobes
- Contains many air passageways (divisions)
Bronchi
- Divide from trachea
- Connect to lungs
- Lined with cilia
- Contain C shaped pieces of cartilage
- Bronchitis
- Inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes
- Cough up thickened mucus, which can be discolored
- Often developing from a cold or other respiratory infection
Trachea
- Windpipe
- Consists of 16-20 C shaped pieces of cartilage
- Contains cilia pseudostratified columnar epi.
- Smoking kills cilia
- Coughing dislodges materials from trachea
- Divides into right and left primary bronchi (lungs)