RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

FUNCTIONS

• Brings air to the lungs and also removes carbon dioxide (breathing)
• Exchanges oxygen for carbon dioxide

PRIMARY ORGANS

• Nose
• Pharynx
• Larynx
• Trachea
• Bronchi
• Lungs

NOSE

• Warms and puts moisture in the air being inhaled
• Location of olfactory receptors (sense of smell)
• 2 nostrils (left and right)

PHARYNX

• Around 5 inches long
• 3 parts: nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx
• Passageway for air entering the trachea and larynx

LARYNX

• Location of vocal cords (how you speak)
• Epiglottis- a "trapdoor" that prevents the accidental entrance of food or liquid
• Air passageway

TRACHEA

• AKA windpipe
• Air passageway to bronchi
• Lined with round rings of cartilage that helps keep its shape so you can breathe

BRONCHI

• 2 branches from trachea (left and right)
• Transports air to the lungs
• Each branch goes into one lung and branches into smaller bronchi called bronchiole

LUNGS

• Right lung contains 3 lobes, left lung only has 2
• Apex is the top part of the lung, base is the lower, broader part
• Contain bronchiole, small branch of bronchi, and alveolar sacs
• Where breathing takes place

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

• Pneumonia- inflammation of the lungs which interferes with breathing
• Bronchitis- increased mucus in the bronchi or bronchiole caused by presence of an irritant- airway becomes clogged with mucus which causes a persistent cough

INTERESTING FACTS

• The surface area of an adult's lungs is roughly the same size as a tennis court
• Not only do nose hairs help warm the air we breathe, they clean it