Respiration and Upper Respiratory Tract

What is the primary purpose of the hairs and mucus in the nasal cavities?

What section of the pharynx is responsible for connecting the nasal cavity to the esophagus?

Which of the following structures forms the boundary between the upper and lower respiratory tracts?

What role do the blood capillaries beneath the mucous membrane of the nasal cavities serve?

Which part of the respiratory system is primarily involved in the process of gas exchange?

What is the function of the cilia in the nasal cavities?

Which part of the upper respiratory tract directly connects to both the esophagus and larynx?

What is the anatomical significance of the nasal septum?

Respiration

The respiratory system is responsible for gas exchange between the body and the environment.
The human respiratory system is divided into two parts: upper and lower respiratory tracts.

Upper Respiratory Tract

Includes the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx.
Nose: External part of the system, composed of bone, cartilage, and fatty tissues. Nostrils are the external openings. Nasal cavities are the inner hollow spaces partitioned by the nasal septum (part of nasal bone). Vestibules are the areas near the nostrils containing hair.
Nasal Cavities: Lined with ciliated mucous membranes. Nose hair, mucus, and cilia act as a defense mechanism filtering air and trapping foreign material like microorganisms, dust. Mucus also moistens the air. Cilia move trapped particles to the pharynx for removal. Capillaries under the mucous membrane help warm air to about 30°C.
Pharynx: Cone-shaped passageway leading from oral and nasal cavities to the esophagus and larynx. Part of both the digestive and respiratory systems. Three sections: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Includes the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
Larynx: Enlargement in the airway at the top of the trachea and below the pharynx. Composed primarily of muscles and cartilages. The epiglottis is one of these cartilages.

Explore the human respiratory system, focusing on the upper respiratory tract, which includes the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx. Learn about the structure and function of these components and how they contribute to effective gas exchange. This quiz will test your knowledge on the respiratory system and its defense mechanisms.