Exercise 17: Respiratory Anatomy

1. Identify the following on models and/or images.

• Nose
o External nares
o Superior nasal concha (turbinate)
o Middle nasal concha (turbinate)
o Inferior nasal concha (turbinate)
• Hard palate
• Soft palate
• Uvula
• Sinuses
o Frontal
o Maxillary
o Sphenoid
o Ethmoid
• Pharynx
o Nasopharynx
o Oropharynx
o Laryngopharynx
• Tonsils
o Palatine
o Pharyngeal (adenoids)
o Lingual
• Larynx
o Thyroid cartilage
o Laryngeal prominence
o Cricoid cartilage
o Cricothyroid ligament
o Thyrohyoid membrane
o Cricotracheal ligament
o Epiglottis
o Glottis
o Vestibular folds (false vocal cords-upper)
o Vocal folds (true vocal cords-lower)
• Hyoid bone
• Airways
o Trachea
 Tracheal (C-ring) cartilage
 Trachealis
o Carina
o Primary (mainstem) bronchi
188
 o Secondary (lobar) bronchi
o Tertiary (segmental) bronchi
o Bronchioles
 Terminal bronchioles
 Respiratory bronchioles
• Lungs
o Apex
o Base
o Hilus
o Right lung
 Superior lobe
 Middle lobe
 Inferior lobe
 Horizontal fissure
 Oblique fissure
o Left lung
 Superior lobe
 Inferior lobe
 Oblique fissure
 Cardiac notch
o Pleura; parietal and visceral
o Pleural cavity with pleural fluid
• Mediastinum
• Inspiratory muscles
o Diaphragm
o External intercostals
o Accessory muscles of forced inspiration
 Scalenes
 Pectoralis minor
 Serratus anterior
 Sternocleidomastoid
• Expiratory muscles (forced exhalation)
o Internal intercostals
o Transverse abdominis
o Rectus abdominis

189
 nasal cavity
nostril
oral cavity
pharynx

larynx
trachea

right main bronchus left main bronchus

right lung
left lung

diaphragm

Figure 17.1 Major Respiratory Structures

sphenoidal sinus
frontal sinus
nasal meatuses ethmoid bone
(superior, middle, inferior) olfactory epithelium
nasal conchae
pharyngeal tonsil nasal vestibule
opening of auditory tube nostril
nasopharynx hard palate
uvula soft palate
tongue
palatine tonsil
lingual tonsil
fauces
epiglottis
oropharynx
hyoid bone
laryngopharynx
vestibular fold thyroid cartilage
vocal fold
cricoid cartilage

Figure 17.2 Upper Respiratory

190
 epiglottis
hyoid bone
thyrohyoid membrane
thyroid cartilage

laryngeal prominence

cricothyroid ligament
cricoid cartilage
cricotracheal ligament
tracheal cartilages

AA
epiglottis

thyrohyoid membrane
hyoid bone
cuneiform cartilage fatty pad
thyrohyoid membrane
corniculate cartilage
vestibular fold
arytenoid cartilage vocal fold
thyroid cartilage
cricoid cartilage cricothyroid ligament
cricotracheal ligament
tracheal cartilages

Figure 17.3 Larynx; (A) anterior, (B) lateral

191
 larynx

trachea
tracheal cartilages

primary
bronchi
secondary bronchi

Figure 17.4 Lower Respiratory

terminal bronchiole
smooth muscle

deoxygenated blood from pulmonary artery

oxygenated blood to pulmonary vein

respiratory bronchiole

alveolus
alveolar sac

capillaries
alveolar
duct
alveolar pores

Figure 17.5 Respiratory Zone

192
 trachea

superior lobe

main (primary) bronchus

superior lobe
lobar (secondary) bronchus

segmental (tertiary) bronchus

middle lobe cardiac notch

inferior lobe inferior lobe

Figure 17.6 Gross Anatomy of the Lungs

intercostal muscles

pleural sac
intercostal
muscles parietal pleura

visceral
pleura

pleural cavity

diaphragm

Figure 17.7 Pleura

193
2. Histology
Structures to identify Sketch

Trachea
• Pseudostratified ciliated columnar
• Goblet cells
• Seromucous glands
• Hyaline cartilage rings
• Smooth muscle/trachealis

Bronchus
• Pseudostratified ciliated columnar
• Goblet cells (fewer)
• Seromucous glands
• Hyaline cartilage
• Smooth muscle, in spirals not rings

Bronchiole
• Simple columnar
• No goblet cells or glands
• Smooth muscle

194
 Alveolar duct
• Simple squamous
(Type I Pneumocyte)
• Simple Cuboidal
(Type II Pneumocyte)
• Smooth muscle

Alveolar Sac and Alveoli

• Type I Pneumocyte
o 95% of alveolar surface
• Type II Pneumocyte
o Produces surfactant
• Alveolar macrophages

4. Explain how the epithelium in each region of the respiratory tract is adapted so its form follows
its functions.
Most of the respiratory tract (nasal cavity to bronchi) is lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium,

with the conducting portion (excluding the larynx and pharynx) also being ciliated. The ciliated epithelium

functions as a barrier to inhaled pathogens and particles such as dust, which can be moved out of the body

by the cilia. This is aided by goblet cells, which secrete mucus to trap particles for expulsion. In the lower

respiratory system, the bronchioles do not have goblet cells, but they have simple columnar epithelium to

hold and humidify air as it continues to the extremely small alveoli, which perform gas exchange. Alveoli
are lined with thin simple squamous epithelium, which allows diffusion of O2 and CO2. The alveolar type II

pneumocytes produce surfactant from simple cuboidal cells to prevent alveoli collapse during exhalation.

195
 Exercise 17: Terminology List
Nose Right lung
External nares Superior lobe
Superior nasal concha (turbinate) Middle lobe
Middle nasal concha Inferior lobe
Inferior nasal concha Horizontal fissure
Hard palate Longitudinal fissure
Soft palate Oblique fissure
Uvula Left lung
Frontal sinus Superior lobe
Maxillary sinus Inferior lobe
Sphenoid sinus Oblique fissure
Ethmoid sinus Cardiac notch
Pharynx Mediastinum
Nasopharynx Diaphragm
Oropharynx External intercostals
Laryngopharynx Scalenes
Palatine tonsil Pectoralis minor
Pharyngeal (adenoid) tonsil Serratus anterior
Lingual tonsil Sternocleidomastoid
Larynx Internal intercostals
Thyroid cartilage Transverse abdominis
Laryngeal prominence Rectus abdominis
Cricoid cartilage
Cricothyroid ligament
Thyrohyoid membrane Histology
Cricotracheal ligament Trachea
Epiglottis Seromucous glands
Glottis Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Vestibular folds Goblet cells
Vocal folds Hyaline cartilage
Hyoid bone Smooth muscle
Trachea Bronchioles
Tracheal cartilage Simple columnar, ciliated
Trachealis Alveolar duct
Carina Alveolar sac
Primary bronchi Alveoli
Secondary bronchi Simple squamous epithelium
Tertiary bronchi Alveolar macrophage
Bronchioles Type I pneumocyte
Terminal bronchioles Type II pneumocyte
Respiratory bronchioles Bronchi
Apex
Base
Hilus
196
Additional Notes

197
 Image Citations
Figure 17.1 Major Respiratory System Structures
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 17.2 Upper Respiratory
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 17.3 Larynx, anterior and lateral views
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 17.4 Lower Respiratory
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 17.5 Respiratory Zone
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 17.6 Gross Anatomy of the Lungs
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Figure 17.7 Pleura
• OpenStax College (2013). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax College. Adapted from
https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology

198