The nose
- Olfactory receptors are located in the mucosa
on the superior surface
- The rest of the cavity is lined with respiratory
mucosa (lysozyme enzyme) , which:
o Moistens air
o Traps incoming foreign particles
- Lateral walls have projections called conchae
o Increase surface area
o Increase air turbulence within the nasal
cavity
- The nasal cavity is separated from the oral
cavity by the palate
o Anterior hard plate (bone)
o Posterior soft plate (unsupported)
- Functions of the sinuses:
o Lighten the skull
o Act as resonance chambers for speech
o Produce mucus that drains into the
nasal cavity
The pharynx
- Muscular passage form nasal cavity to larynx
- 3 regions of the pharynx:
o Nasopharynx, superior region behind
nasal cavity
o Oropharynx, middle region behind
mouth (food)
o Laryngopharynx, (air)
- Pharyngotympanic tubes, opnes into the
nasopharynx
- Tonsils (composed of lymphatic cells – produce
antibodies) of the pharynx
o Pharyngeal tonsil (adenoid), located in
the nasopharynx
o Palatine tonsils, located in the
oropharynx
o Lingual tonsils, found at the base of the
tongue
Larynx (voice box)
- Routes air and food into proper channels
- Plays a role in speech
- Made of eight rigid hyaline cartilages and a
spoon-shaped
- Thyroid cartilage
o Largest of the hyaline cartilages
o Protrudes anteriorly
- Epiglottis
o Protects
- Vocal folds (true vocal chords)
o Vibrate with expelled air
o The glottis
Trachea (windpipe)
- 4 inches long tube that connects larynx and
bronchi
- Walls are reinforced with C- shaped hyaline
cartilage, which keeps the trachea patent
- Lined with ciliated mucosa
o Cilia beat continuously in the opposite
direction of incoming air
o Expel mucus loaded with dust and other
debris away from lungs
Main (primary) Bronchi
- Formed by division of the trachea
- Each bronchus enters the lung at the hilum
(medial depression)
- Right bronchus is wider, shorter, straighter than
left
- Bronchi subdivide
Lungs
- Occupy the most of the thoracic cavity
o Heart occupies central portion called
mediastinum
- Apex is near the clavicle (superior portion)
- Base rests on the diaphragm (inferior portion)
- Each lung is divided into lobes by fissures
o Left lung- 2 lobes
o Right lung – 3lobes
- Serosa covers the outer surface of the lungs
o Pulmonary (visceral) pleura, covers the
lung surface
o Parietal pleura lines the wall of the
thoracic cavity
Bronchial (respiratory) Tree Divisions
- All but the smallest of these passageways have
reinforcing cartilage in their walls
- Conduits to and from the respiratory zone
o Primary
o Secondary
o Tertiary
o Bronchioles
- Respiratory zone Structures:
- Respiratory Membrane
o Thin squamous epithelial layer lines the
alveolar walls
o Alveolar pores connect neighboring air
sacs
o Pulmonary capillaries cover external
surface of alveoli
 o Respiratory membrane (air-blood
barrier)
 On one side
o Gas crosses the respiratory membrane
by diffusion
 Oxygen enters the blood
 CO2 enters the alveoli
o Alveolar microphages, add protection
by picking up bacteria, carbon particles,
and other debris
o Surfactant, (a lipid molecule)
 coats gas exposed alveolar
surfaces
 Important in lowering of the
surface tension of the lungs
- 4 events of Respiration
1.) Pulmonary ventilation, moving air into and
out of the lungs (breathing)
2.) External Respiration
3.) Respiratory gas transport, transport of O and
CO2 via the bloodstream
4.) Internal Respiration

- Mechanics of breathing (Pulmonary Ventilation)