RESPIRATORY SYSTEM • Divided into two halves by the nasal septum
• Contains paranasal sinuses where air is
• Also called as Pulmonary System
• Consists of several organs that function as a
whole to oxygenate the body through the
process of respiration (breathing).
• This process involves inhaling air and
conducting it to the lungs where gas
exchange occurs, in which oxygen is
extracted from the air, and carbon dioxide
expelled from the body.
• The respiratory tract has two major divisions:
the upper respiratory tract and the lower
respiratory tract.
• Upper Respiratory Tract: nose, nasal cavity,
paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and larynx.
• Lower Respiratory Tract: trachea, bronchi,
bronchioles, and the lungs.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM FUNCTIONS
• Supplies the body with oxygen and disposes
of carbon dioxide
• Filters inspired air
• Contains receptors for smell
• Rids the body of some excess water and heat
• pH homeostasis
• Vocalization
UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT
- Most of the upper respiratory tract is lined with the
pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, also
known as the respiratory epithelium.
- Conduction, filtration, humidification and warming
of inhaled air.
1. NOSE
• Also called external nares
✓ Laryngopharynx – bottom section of
pharynx where the respiratory tract
warmed.
• Contains Cilia which is responsible for
filtering out foreign bodies.
2. NASAL CAVITY
• Contains cells which release mucus that
contains Lysozymes which kills bacteria.
• contain three bony projections called nasal
conchae (superior, middle and inferior),
which increase the surface area of the nasal
cavity.
3. PARANASAL SINUSES
• are four paired: Frontal sinus, maxillary sinus,
sphenoidal sinus, and ethmoidal sinus.
• air-filled cavities found inside bones of the
skull.
• mucous membrane and respiratory
epithelium that lines both the nasal cavity and
the paranasal sinuses traps any harmful
particles, dust or bacteria
• lighten the skull and amplify sound of voice.
4. PHARYNX
• Common pathway for air and food
• Tube that delivers air from your mouth and
nose to the trachea (windpipe).
• Three sections of pharynx:
✓ Nasopharynx – contains the
pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids) which
aid in the body’s immune defense.
✓ Oropharynx – back portion of the
mouth that contains palatine tonsils
which aid in the body’s immune
defense.
divides into the esophagus and the
larynx.
5. LARYNX
• Voice box is a short somewhat cylindrical
airway ends in the trachea.
• Connects pharynx to trachea.
• Composed of three large cartilage pieces—
the thyroid cartilage (anterior), epiglottis
(superior), and cricoid cartilage (inferior).
• Epiglottis - This flap of skin covers the
opening of the larynx which keeps food and
other particles from getting into respiratory
system.
• Produces sound.
LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT
- conduction and gas exchange
6. TRACHEA
• A flexible tube also called windpipe.
• Extends from the larynx to the bronchial
tubes.
• is formed by 16 to 20 stacked, C-shaped
pieces of hyaline cartilage that are connected
by dense connective tissue. The
7. BRONCHI
• are the two large tubes that carry air from
your windpipe to your lungs.
8. BRONCHIOLES
• Small branches of the bronchial tubes that
lead to the alveoli.
9. ALVEOLI

• Grape-like structures at the end of the

bronchi.
• Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange
of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
• Surrounded by a jacket of capillaries.
• The capillaries absorb oxygen into the blood,
where it is then delivered to all cells.
10. LUNGS

• Main respiratory organ.

• Right lung – have 3 lobes: upper, middle, and
lower lobe.
• Left lung – have 2 lobes – upper and lower
lobe.
• The lungs are surrounded by the pleura, a
membrane with two layers.
• The space between these two layers is called
the pleural cavity.
• A slippery liquid called pleural fluid acts as a
lubricant to reduce friction during breathing.
*Diaphragm - an involuntary muscle that controls
breathing. Helps your lungs pull in air and push it
out.
INSPIRATION/INHALATION

• The diaphragm contracts (gets smaller)

allowing for the ribs and lungs to open/rises,
the pressure in lungs decrease, thereby
pulling air in.
EXPIRATION/EXHALATION

• The process is reverse, the diaphragm

relaxes, ribs and lungs close/lowers, the
pressure in lungs increase, forcing air out of
the lungs.