Composed of the nose, the pharynx, and

the larynx, the organs of the upper

respiratory.
Composed of the trachea, the lungs,
and all segments of the bronchialtree
(including the alveoli), the organs of the lower
respiratory tract are located inside the chest cavity.
1.Nasal cavity: Inside the nose, the sticky
mucous membrane lining the nasal cavity traps
dust particles, and tiny hairs called cilia help
move them to the nose to be sneezed or blown
out.

 Sinuses: These air-filled spaces along side the

nose help make the skull lighter.
2.The pharynx
 Pharynx: Both food and air pass through the pharynx before
reaching their appropriate destinations. The pharynx also plays
a role in speech.
 For the anatomical description, the pharynx can be divided
into three floors. The upper floor, the nasopharynx, is
primarily a passageway for air and secretions from the nose to
the oral pharynx.
 3. Larynx: The larynx is essential to human speech.

 The larynx is an organ of complex structure that serves a dual

function: as an air canal to the lungs and a controller of its
access, and as the organ of phonation.The muscular apparatus of
the larynx comprises two functionally distinct groups. The
intrinsic muscles act directly or indirectly on the shape, length,
and tension of the vocal cords. The extrinsic muscles act on the
larynx as a whole, moving it upward
 4. Trachea: Located just below the larynx, the trachea is
the main airway to the lungs.

 The trachea and the stem bronchi. Below the larynx lies
the trachea, a tube about 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 inches)
long and 2 cm (0.8 inch) wide. . The interior of the
trachea is lined by the typical respiratory epithelium.
The mucosal layer contains mucous glands.
 5. Lungs: Together the lungs form one of the
body’s largest organs. They’re responsible for
providing oxygen to capillaries and exhaling
carbon dioxide.
 Breathing is an automatic and rhythmic act produced
by networks of neurons in the hindbrain (the pons
and medulla). The neural networks direct muscles
that form the walls of the thorax and abdomen and
produce pressure gradients that move air into and out
of the lungs.
 Control Of Breathing

 An important characteristic of the human respiratory

system is its ability to adjust breathing patterns to
changes in both the internal milieu and the external
environment. Ventilation increases and decreases in
proportion to swings in carbon dioxide production
and oxygen consumption caused by changes in
metabolic rate.


 Although the diaphragm is the major muscle of
breathing, its respiratory action is assisted and
augmented by a complex assembly of other muscle
groups. In addition, laryngeal muscles and muscles in
the oral and nasal pharynx adjust the resistance of
movement of gases through the upper airways during
both inspiration and expiration.