THE

RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY
COURSE # PD-317
Dr. Faheema Siddiqi (PhD)
Assistant Prof., DCOP
The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and
treatment of diseases of the ears, nose, and throat (ENT) is
called otorhinolaryngology;
oto- ear; rhino- nose; laryngo- voice box; -logy study of ).
A pulmonologist ( pulmon- lung) is a specialist in the
diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the lungs.
The entire process of gas exchange in the body, called
respiration, occurs in three basic steps:
1. Pulmonary ventilation, or breathing, is the flow of air
into and out of the lungs.
2. External respiration is the exchange of gases between the
air spaces (alveoli) of the lungs and the blood in pulmonary
capillaries. In this process, pulmonary capillary blood gains O2
and loses CO2.
3. Internal respiration is the exchange of gases between blood
in systemic capillaries and tissue cells. The blood loses O2 and
gains CO2. Within cells, the metabolic reactions that consume
O2 and give off CO2 during the production of ATP are termed
cellular respiration .
INTRODUCTION

• The respiratory system provides the route for the entry

of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide from the body.

• It helps in :
• Warmed/cooled
• Moistened
• Cleaned
Respiratory System
• The respiratory system can also be divided into two parts
based on function

• The conducting zone consists of a series of interconnecting

cavities and tubes—nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi,
bronchioles, and terminal bronchioles—that conduct air into
the lungs.
• The respiratory zone consists of tissues within the lungs
where gas exchange occurs—the respiratory bronchioles,
alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli.
Major Functions of the
Respiratory System

• To supply the body with oxygen and dispose of carbon

dioxide

• Respiration – four distinct processes must happen

• Pulmonary ventilation – moving air into and out of the

lungs
• Transport – transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
between the lungs and tissues
Major Functions of the
Respiratory System

• External respiration – gas exchange between the

lungs (alveoli) and the blood (pulmonary capillaries.).

• Internal respiration – gas exchange between systemic

blood vessels and tissue cells.
Organs of the Respiratory
system
• Nose
• Pharynx
• Larynx
• Trachea
• Two bronchi (one bronchus to each lung)
• Bronchioles and smaller air passages
• Two lungs and their coverings, the Pleura
• Muscles of respiration: Intercostal muscles & Diaphragm
that promote ventilation
ORGANS OF THE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Structurally, the respiratory system consists of two
parts:

The upper respiratory system includes the nose,

pharynx, and associated structures.

The lower respiratory system consists of the larynx,

trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
Organs of the Respiratory
system
NOSE AND NASAL
CAVITY
Function of the Nose

• The only externally visible part of the respiratory

system that functions by:

• Providing an airway for respiration

• Moistening (humidifying) and
warming/cooling the inspired air
• Filtering inspired air and cleaning it of foreign
matter
• Receptors for sense of smell
 Structure of the Nose

• The nose is divided into two regions

• The external nose including the root, bridge, dorsum

nasi, and apex. Bone and cartilage covered with skin
and lined with mucous membrane. It has two openings
called the external nares (singular naris) or nostrils.
• Philtrum – is a shallow vertical groove inferior to the
apex
• The external nares (nostrils) are bounded laterally by
the ala
Structure of the Nose
Structure of the Nose
• The internal nasal cavity
It is inside the skull. The internal nose connects to
the throat through two openings called the internal
naris.
Four paranasal sinuses (frontal, sphenoidal,
maxillary, and ethmoidal) and the nasolacrimal ducts.
 Nasal cavity: OPENINGS INTO THE NASAL CAVITY

1. Anterior and Posterior Nares (Pharynx)

2. Paranasal sinuses are a group of four paired air-filled
spaces that surround the nasal cavity.
• Frontal (Above the eyes)
• Ethmoidal Sinuses (Between)
• Sphenoidal Sinuses (Behind)
• Maxillary Sinuses (Under the eyes)
Sinuses lighten the skull and help to warm and moisten the
air
• Nasal cavity: The space inside
the internal nose, lies below
the cranium and above the
Nasal Cavity
mouth.
• The nasal septum divides the
nasal cavity into right and left
sides.
• The posterior bony part of the
septum is formed by the
perpendicular plate of the
ethmoid bone and the vomer.
• Anteriorly it consists of
hyaline cartilage.
• The ethmoid, frontal, nasal and
sphenoid bones form the roof.
• The floor is formed by roof
of the mouth and consist of
the hard and soft palates.
 Nasal Cavity
Hairs in nostrils, trap large dust particles from air. The air then
flows over three shelves called the superior, middle, and
inferior nasal conchae that extends out of the wall of cavity.
The mucous membrane lines the nasal cavity and the three
conchae.
The lateral walls are formed by the maxilla, the ethmoid bone
and the inferior conchae.
The olfactory receptors lie in the membrane lining the superior
nasal conchae and adjacent septum. This region is called the
olfactory epithelium
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelial cells and goblet
cells line the nasal cavity. Mucus secreted by goblet cells
moistens the air and traps dust particles. Cilia move the dust-
laden mucus toward the pharynx, which is swallowed or spit
out.
Nasal Cavity

Lateral wall of nasal cavity

PHARYNX
Location
Structure
Function
PHARYNX or throat
• Funnel-shaped tube ( 12 to 14 cm ) that starts at the internal
nares and extends partway down the neck
• that connects to the:
• Nasal cavity and mouth superiorly
• Larynx and esophagus inferiorly
• anteriorly to the cervical (neck) vertebrae
• Extends from the base of the skull to the level of the sixth
cervical vertebra.
It lies behind the nose, mouth and larynx.
Its wall is composed of skeletal muscle and lined with mucous
membrane. The pharynx functions as a passageway for air and
food.
PHARYNX

It is divided into
three regions

• Nasopharynx
• Oropharynx
• Laryngopharynx
NASOPHARYNX
• The upper part of the pharynx, called the
nasopharynx, connects with the two internal nares
and has two openings that lead into the auditory
(eustachian) tubes.
• The posterior wall contains the pharyngeal tonsil.
The nasopharynx exchanges air with the nasal
cavities.
• The cilia consist of pseudostratified ciliated
columnar epithelium move the mucus–dust
toward the mouth.
OROPHARYNX
• The middle portion of the pharynx, the oropharynx, opens
into the mouth and nasopharynx.
• Two pairs of tonsils, the palatine tonsils and lingual
tonsils, are found in the oropharynx.
LARYNGOPHARYNX
• connects with both the esophagus (food tube) and the
larynx (voice box). Thus, the oropharynx and
laryngopharynx both serve as passageways for air as well
as for food and drink.
LARYNX
(VOICE
BOX)
LARYNX (voice box)
• Position:
• Extends from the root of the tongue and the hyoid bone to
the trachea. It lies in front of the laryngopharynx at the
level of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae.

• Structures associated with the larynx:

• Superiorly — Hyoid bone and the root of the tongue
• Inferiorily — It is Continuous with the trachea
• Anteriorly — Muscles attached to the hyoid bone and the
muscles of the neck
• Posteriorly — Laryngopharynx and 3rd to 6th cervical
vertebrae
• Laterally — the lobes of the thyroid gland
• STRUCTURE:
• There are six cartilages, three unpaired and three paired, that
support the larynx and form its skeleton. The main cartilages
are:
• 1 Thyroid cartilage (unpaired)
• 1 Cricoid cartilage
• 2 Arytenoid cartilages (paired)
• 1 Epiglottis
• THYROID CARTILAGE:
• This is the most prominent and consists of two flat pieces of hyaline
cartilage, or laminae, fused anteriorly, forming the laryngeal
prominence (Adam's apple). Immediately above the laryngeal
prominence the laminae are separated, forming a V-shaped notch
known as the thyroid notch. The thyroid cartilage is incomplete
posteriorly and the posterior border of each lamina is extended to
form two processes called the superior and inferior cornu.
• ARYTENOID CARTILAGES:
• These are two roughly pyramid-shaped hyaline
cartilages situated on top of the broad part of the
cricoid cartilage forming part of the posterior wall of
the larynx.
• CRICOID CARTILAGE:
• This lies below the thyroid cartilage and is also
composed of ring of hyaline cartilage, that forms the
inferior wall of the larynx and is attached to the first
tracheal cartilage
• EPIGLOTTIS:
• This is a leaf-shaped fibroelastic cartilage attached to the
inner surface of the anterior wall of the thyroid cartilage
immediately below the thyroid notch. It rises indirectly
upwards behind the tongue and the body of the hyoid bone.
 TRACHEA
(Windpipe)
TRACHEA (OVERVIEW)
• The trachea or windpipe, is a tubular passageway for
air that is located anterior to the esophagus.
• The wall of the trachea is lined with mucous
membrane. The mucous membrane is composed of
pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium,
consisting of ciliated columnar cells, goblet cells, and
basal cells and provides the protection against dust.
• FUNCTIONS:
• Air flow
• Mucociliary escalator
• Cough reflex
• Structures associated with
the Trachea:
• Superiorly —Larynx
• Inferiorly — Right and left
bronchi
• Anteriorly — Upper part:
thyroid gland
• Lower part: the arch of the
aorta and the sternum
• Posteriorly — Oesophagus
• Laterally — Lungs and the
lobes of the thyroid gland.
• Structure

 The trachea is composed of

from 16 to 20 incomplete
(C-shaped) rings of
hyaline cartilages lying one
above the other.
 The rings are incomplete or
open part posteriorly.
 Connective tissue and
involuntary muscle join the
cartilages and form the
posterior wall.
 Posterior wall is in contact
with esophagus.
• There are three layers of tissue
which 'clothe' the cartilages of the
trachea.
• The Outer Layer:
consists of fibrous and elastic
tissue and encloses the cartilages.
• The Middle Layer:
consists of cartilages and bands of
smooth muscle that wind round the
trachea. There is some areolar
tissue, containing blood and lymph
vessels and autonomic nerves.
• The Inner Lining:
consists of ciliated columnar
epithelium, containing mucus-
secreting goblet cells.
 LUNGS
AND
BRONCHIAL
TREE
Gross Anatomy of the Lungs
• Lungs occupy all of the thoracic cavity except the
mediastinum

• Costal surface – anterior, lateral, and posterior

surfaces in contact with the ribs
• Apex – narrow superior tip
• Base – inferior surface that rests on the
diaphragm
• Hilus – indentation that contains pulmonary
and systemic blood vessels
Lungs
• Cardiac notch (impression) – cavity that
accommodates the heart

• Left lung – separated into upper and lower lobes

by the oblique fissure

• Right lung – separated into three lobes by the

oblique and horizontal fissures
Gross Anatomy of Lungs
• Base, apex (cupula), costal surface, cardiac notch
• Oblique & horizontal fissure in right lung results in 3 lobes
• Oblique fissure only in left lung produces 2 lobes
Mediastinal Surface of Lungs
• Blood vessels & airways enter lungs at hilus
• Occupied by the heart, blood vessels, trachea, right and left
bronchi, Oesophagus, lymph nodes, lymph vessels and nerves
 PLEURA AND PLEURAL CAVITY
• Closed sac of serous membrane which contains a small amount of serous fluid.
• TWO LAYERS
• The visceral pleura
• The parietal pleura
The pleural cavity
Interior of the lungs
The lungs are composed of the bronchi and
smaller air passages, alveoli, connective
tissue, blood vessels, lymph vessels and
nerves, all embedded in elastic connective
tissue matrix.
Bronchial Tree
INTRAPULMONARY BRONCHIAL TREE

Trachea

Lungs
Left Bronchus Right Bronchus

2 3
Intrapulmonary Intrapulmonary
Lobeslobar
secondary/ secondary/ lobar
Bronchi Bronchi

Segmental Segmental
Broncho- Pulmonary Segments
tertiary bronchi tertiary bronchi
BRONCHIAL TREE ( ZONES)
 Bronchial Tree

Conducting zone
• Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and terminal bronchioles
• Conduct air to and from gas exchange zone
• Humidification
• Lining – ciliated Pseudostratified epithelium
CONDUCTING
ZONE

Trachea
L and R Bronchi

Terminal
bronchioles
CONDUCTING ZONE:
BRONCHI
• The carina of the last tracheal cartilage marks the end of
the trachea and the beginning of the right and left
bronchi

• Air reaching the bronchi is:

• Warm and cleansed of impurities
• Saturated with water vapor

• Bronchi subdivide into secondary bronchi, each supplying

a lobe of the lungs
Conducting Zone:
Bronchial Tree
• As conducting tubes become smaller,
structural changes occur

• Cartilage support structures change

• Epithelium types change
• Amount of smooth muscle increases
Conducting Zone:
Bronchial Tree
• Terminal Bronchioles

• Consist of cuboidal epithelium

• Have a complete layer of circular smooth muscle
• Lack cartilage support and mucus-producing cells
BRONCHIAL TREE

• Respiratory zone

• Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts,

alveolar sacs, and alveoli
• Gas exchange zone
• Lining: squamous epithelium
 RESPIRATORY ZONE
Respiratory Alveolar duct
bronchioles Alveolus

Alveolar sacs
Respiratory Zone

• Defined by the presence of alveoli

• Respiratory bronchioles lead to alveolar ducts,
then to terminal clusters of alveolar sacs
composed of alveoli

• Approximately 300 million alveoli:

• Account for most of the lungs’ volume
• Provide tremendous surface area for gas
exchange
 Respiratory Zone

Chapter 22, Respiratory System

HISTOLOGY OF INTRAPULMONARY BRONCHIAL TREE

• In Bronchi hyaline cartilage is replaced by irregularly

shaped cartilaginous plates
• Bronchioles lack cartilage and glands but elastic fibers
may increase in number. Few goblet cells may be
found.
• In Terminal Bronchioles, Pseudostratified ciliated
columnar decreases to finally become simple
columnar to cuboidal. Clara cells are also present.
 Clara cells represent 80% of epithelial cell
population, secret surfactant.
 In subsequent branches of Respiratory Bronchioles,
epithelium becomes low cuboidal and non-ciliated
and finally replaced by simple squamous epithelium
 ALVEOLUS:
functional unit of lung
• In each lung, 300million alveoli provide total surface
area of 75m2.
• Respiratory membrane: It is made up of alveolar wall
and capillary wall fuse firmly together form the
respiratory membrane. The exchange of O2 and CO2
takes place by diffusion across the alveolar and
capillary walls.
• Alveolar epithelium consists of two types of epithelial
cells
1. Type I alveolar cells
2. Type II alveolar cells (secrete surfactants)
Pulmonary Blood Supply

Dual blood supply

• Pulmonary circulation
• Bronchial circulation
Bronchial circulation

• The bronchial circulation is the part of

the circulatory system that supplies
nutrients and oxygen to the cells that
constitute the lungs, as well as carrying
waste products away from them.
Pulmonary Circulation

• Pulmonary Arteries
• Carries deoxygenated blood
from the right side of heart to
lungs
• Pulmonary capillaries
• Site for gas exchange
• Pulmonary veins
• Carries oxygenated blood from
the lungs to left side of heart
REFERENCES