Respiratory Anatomy 1.5

Hyoid Apparatus

• Consists of a group of 5 bones that support the larynx
• Plays a crucial role in tongue movement and swallowing (deglutition)

Swallowing Mechanism

• Larynx is pushed upwards (cranially) during swallowing
• Epiglottis covers the airway to prevent food from entering the trachea
• Breathing temporarily stops while food is being swallowed
• Soft palate seals off the nasopharynx to prevent food from entering the nasal cavity

Hyoid Apparatus

• Consists of a group of 5 bones that support the larynx
• Plays a crucial role in tongue movement and swallowing (deglutition)

Swallowing Mechanism

• Larynx is pushed upwards (cranially) during swallowing
• Epiglottis covers the airway to prevent food from entering the trachea
• Breathing temporarily stops while food is being swallowed
• Soft palate seals off the nasopharynx to prevent food from entering the nasal cavity

Hyoid Apparatus

• Consists of a group of 5 bones that support the larynx
• Plays a crucial role in tongue movement and swallowing (deglutition)

Swallowing Mechanism

• Larynx is pushed upwards (cranially) during swallowing
• Epiglottis covers the airway to prevent food from entering the trachea
• Breathing temporarily stops while food is being swallowed
• Soft palate seals off the nasopharynx to prevent food from entering the nasal cavity

Lower Respiratory Tract

• The lower respiratory tract consists of several parts that work together to facilitate breathing and gas exchange
• The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a tube that connects the throat to the lungs
• The lungs are the primary organs responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Bronchi are tubes that branch off from the trachea, one for each lung, and further divide into smaller bronchioles
• Bronchioles are small airways that eventually lead to the alveolar ducts
• Alveolar ducts are small tubes that connect to the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs
• Alveoli are tiny air sacs where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is removed

Lower Respiratory Tract

• The lower respiratory tract consists of several parts that work together to facilitate breathing and gas exchange
• The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a tube that connects the throat to the lungs
• The lungs are the primary organs responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Bronchi are tubes that branch off from the trachea, one for each lung, and further divide into smaller bronchioles
• Bronchioles are small airways that eventually lead to the alveolar ducts
• Alveolar ducts are small tubes that connect to the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs
• Alveoli are tiny air sacs where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is removed

Lower Respiratory Tract

• The lower respiratory tract consists of several parts that work together to facilitate breathing and gas exchange
• The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a tube that connects the throat to the lungs
• The lungs are the primary organs responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Bronchi are tubes that branch off from the trachea, one for each lung, and further divide into smaller bronchioles
• Bronchioles are small airways that eventually lead to the alveolar ducts
• Alveolar ducts are small tubes that connect to the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs
• Alveoli are tiny air sacs where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is removed

Trachea Structure and Function

• The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is lined with respiratory mucosa.
• The respiratory mucosa is responsible for producing mucus and has cilia, which are tiny hair-like structures.
• The cilia in the trachea work to move mucus, containing dust, debris, and cells, out of the lungs towards the throat.
• This mucus is then coughed up and swallowed, helping to remove foreign particles and waste from the lungs.

Key Landmarks

• The carina is a significant anatomical landmark located at the point where the trachea divides into the two main bronchi.

Trachea Structure and Function

• The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is lined with respiratory mucosa.
• The respiratory mucosa is responsible for producing mucus and has cilia, which are tiny hair-like structures.
• The cilia in the trachea work to move mucus, containing dust, debris, and cells, out of the lungs towards the throat.
• This mucus is then coughed up and swallowed, helping to remove foreign particles and waste from the lungs.

Key Landmarks

• The carina is a significant anatomical landmark located at the point where the trachea divides into the two main bronchi.

Trachea Structure and Function

• The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is lined with respiratory mucosa.
• The respiratory mucosa is responsible for producing mucus and has cilia, which are tiny hair-like structures.
• The cilia in the trachea work to move mucus, containing dust, debris, and cells, out of the lungs towards the throat.
• This mucus is then coughed up and swallowed, helping to remove foreign particles and waste from the lungs.

Key Landmarks

• The carina is a significant anatomical landmark located at the point where the trachea divides into the two main bronchi.

Tracheal Structure

• The trachea's walls are reinforced with C-shaped cartilage, which are incomplete rings.
• The C-shaped cartilage prevents the trachea from collapsing.
• The cartilage allows for flexibility to accommodate movement and the passage of food in the oesophagus, which is located adjacent to the trachea.
• The Trachealis muscle bridges the gap between the ends of the C-shaped cartilage rings.

Learn about the hyoid apparatus, a group of bones supporting the larynx, and the swallowing mechanism, including the roles of the larynx, epiglottis, and soft palate.