The Respiratory System

Basic functions of the respiratory system

Breathing (Pulmonary Ventilation) movement of air in and out of the lungs

Inhalation (inspiration) draws gases into the lungs.

Exhalation (expiration) forces gases out of the lungs.

Gas Conditioning as gases pass through the nasal cavity and paransal sinuses, inhaled air becomes turbulent.
The gases in the air are
warmed to body temperature
humidified
cleaned of particulate matter

Gas Exchange - respiration

Supplies body with oxygen
Disposes of carbon dioxide

Produces Sounds

Protects respiratory surfaces

Site for olfactory sensation

Respiration

Respiration four distinct processes must happen

Pulmonary ventilation moving air into and out of

the lungs
External respiration gas exchange between the
lungs and the blood
Transport transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
between the lungs and tissues
Internal respiration gas exchange between
systemic blood vessels and tissues

Functional Anatomy of the Respiratory System

Respiratory organs

Nose, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses

Pharynx, larynx, and trachea
Bronchi and smaller branches
Lungs and alveoli

Organs of the Respiratory System

Figure 21.1

Respiratory System

Consists of

Respiratory muscles diaphragm and

other muscles that promote ventilation
Respiratory zone site of external
respiration respiratory bronchioles,
alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and
alveoli.
Conducting zones
Provides rigid conduits for air to
reach the sites of gas exchange
Includes nose, nasal cavity,
pharynx, trachea
Air passages undergo 23 orders of
branching in the lungs

The Nose

Provides an airway for

respiration
Moistens and warms air
Filters inhaled air
Resonating chamber for
speech
Houses olfactory receptors
Skin is thin contains
many sebaceous glands

The Nasal Cavity

External nares nostrils

Divided by nasal septum
Vestibule - anterior opening
Continuous with nasopharynx
Two types of mucous membrane

Olfactory mucosa - Near roof of

nasal cavity, houses olfactory

(smell) receptors
Respiratory mucosa - Lines nasal
cavity
Epithelium is pseudostratified ciliated

columnar
Goblet cells within epithelium
Underlying layer of lamina propria has
glands that contribute to the mucus
layer and blood vessels that warm the
air.
Cilia move contaminated mucus
posteriorly

Nasal Cavity

Nasal Conchae

3 paired bony projections

along the lateral walls of the
nasal cavity
Superior and middle nasal
conchae - part of the ethmoid
bone
Inferior nasal conchae separate bone
Function - Particulate matter
deflected to mucus-coated
surfaces

The Paranasal Sinuses

Figure 7.11a, b

The Pharynx
Funnel-shaped passageway
Connects nasal cavity and

mouth
Shared by the digestive and
respiratory systems
Divided into three sections by
location

Nasopharynx superior

portion,
Oropharynx continuous
with the oral cavity
Laryngopharynx between
the hyoid bone and the
esophagus

Type of mucosal lining

changes along its length

The Nasopharynx

Superior to the point

where food enters
Only an air passageway
Closed off during
swallowing
Epithelium consists of
ciliated pseudostratified
epithelium that moves
mucus

The Oropharynx
Arch-like entranceway
fauces

Extends from soft palate to

the epiglottis

Epithelium - stratified

squamous epithelium
Two types of tonsils in the
oropharynx

Palatine tonsils in the

lateral walls of the fauces

Lingual tonsils covers the
posterior surface of the
tongue

The Laryngopharynx

Passageway for both

food and air
Epithelium - stratified
squamous epithelium
Continuous with the
esophagus and larynx

The Larynx

Prevent food and drink from entering the trachea

Passageway for air
Produces Sound
It connects the pharynx to the trachea
Epithelium of the larynx
Stratified squamous superior portion
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar inferior portion

Nine Cartilages of the Larynx

Thyroid cartilage - shield-shaped, forms laryngeal prominence

(Adams apple)
Three pairs of small cartilages
Arytenoid cartilages
Corniculate cartilages
Cuneiform cartilages
Epiglottis - tips inferiorly during swallowing

The Larynx
Vocal ligaments of the larynx
Vocal folds (true vocal

cords) - act in sound

production
Vestibular folds (false
vocal cords) - no role in
sound production
Voice production
Length of the vocal folds
changes with pitch
Loudness depends on the
force of air across the
vocal folds

The Trachea

Descends into the mediastinum

C-shaped cartilage rings keep airway open
Carina - marks where trachea divides into two primary
bronchi
Epithelium - pseudostratified ciliated columnar

The Trachea

Figure 21.7a, b

Bronchi in the Conducting Zone

Bronchial tree - extensively

branching respiratory
passageways

Primary bronchi (main

bronchi)

Largest bronchi
Right main bronchi - wider
and shorter than the left

Secondary (lobar) bronchi

Three on the right

Two on the left

Tertiary (segmental) bronchi branch into each lung segment

Bronchioles - little bronchi,
less than 1 mm in diameter
Terminal bronchioles - less
than 0.5 mm in diameter

Tissue Composition of Conducting Zone

Changes along pathway

Supportive connective tissues change
C-shaped rings trachea, primary bronchi
Replaced by cartilage plates, secondary & tertiary bronchi
Epithelium changes
First, pseudostratified ciliated columnar trachea
Replaced by simple columnar - bronchi
Then simple cuboidal epithelium - bronchioles and
terminal bronchioles
Smooth muscle becomes important at the bronchioles controlled by the ANS (bronchoconstriction and
bronchodilation).

Lobes and Surfaces of the lungs

Right lung has three lobes

Left lung has two lobes
Concavity on medial surface = cardiac notch
Bronchi enter the lungs at the hilus

The Pleurae

A double-layered sac surrounding each lung

Parietal pleura
Visceral pleura
Pleural cavity - potential space between the visceral and parietal pleurae
Pleurae help divide the thoracic cavity
Central mediastinum
Two lateral pleural compartments

Structures of the Respiratory Zone

Consists of air-exchanging structures

Respiratory bronchioles branch from terminal
bronchioles

Lead to alveolar ducts

Lead to alveolar sacs

Structures of the Respiratory Zone

Figure 21.9b

Features Of Alveoli

Alveoli cell types

Surrounded by basal laminae and elastic fibers

Interconnect by way of alveolar pores
Internal surfaces - site for free movement of alveolar macrophages

Type I cells site of gas exchangeand

Type II cells - secrete surfactant
Macrophages

Figure 21.10b