Respiratory System Overview

Tiny air sacs in the lungs, surrounded by capillaries.

Doubled membrane covering the lungs and inner chest wall.

Part of the pleura lining the inner chest wall.

Part of the pleura covering the lungs.

The act of breathing in.

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between air and blood in lungs.

Gas exchange between blood and tissue cells.

Supplies cells with oxygen for energy production and removes carbon dioxide.

Nose, pharynx, and larynx. First part of the respiratory system.

Warms, moistens, and filters inhaled air using mucous membranes and cilia.

Trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Handles air movement inside the body.

Cartilaginous tube that carries air from the pharynx to the bronchi.

Two branches that carry air from the trachea to the lungs.

The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the opening of the larynx during swallowing, preventing food and drink from entering the airway.

Inspiration is the act of breathing in, drawing air into the lungs. Expiration is the act of breathing out, expelling air from the lungs.

The bronchi are the two branches of the trachea (windpipe) that lead into the lungs, carrying air to the alveoli.

The pharynx, commonly known as the throat, is the passageway that connects the nose and mouth to the larynx and esophagus. It plays a crucial role in both breathing and swallowing.

Paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities in the bones around the nose. They contribute to voice resonance and reduce the weight of the skull.

Tiny air sacs at the end of the terminal bronchioles, surrounded by capillaries, where gas exchange occurs.

A double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs, reducing friction during breathing.

Parietal pleura lines the chest cavity, while visceral pleura covers the lung surface.

A muscular wall separating the chest and abdomen, crucial for breathing.

It contracts and moves down for inhalation, then relaxes and moves up for exhalation.

The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the entrance to the larynx (voice box) during swallowing, preventing food and drink from entering the airway.

The pharynx, or throat, is the passageway that connects the nose and mouth to the larynx and esophagus. It plays a role in both breathing and swallowing.

Inspiration, or inhalation, is the process of breathing in air. It's caused by the expansion of the chest cavity.

Cilia are tiny hair-like structures that line the nasal cavity. They help to move mucus and trapped particles upward and out of the nose, providing a defense mechanism against foreign bodies.

The pharynx, commonly known as the throat, is divided into the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx. Each section serves specific roles in the respiratory and digestive systems.

The trachea, or windpipe, acts as the pathway for air to travel from the pharynx to the lungs. It's held open by C-shaped rings of cartilage, ensuring a constant airway.

Bronchioles are the smaller branches of the bronchi. They continue to subdivide, eventually leading to the alveoli, where gas exchange takes place.

Paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull that connect to the nasal cavity. They help to lighten the skull, provide resonance to the voice, and produce mucus for lubrication.

External respiration refers to the exchange of gases between the air and blood in the lungs, specifically oxygen entering and carbon dioxide leaving. Internal respiration refers to the gas exchange between blood and the cells within the body.

The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, pharynx, and larynx, serving as the initial pathway for air. The lower respiratory tract, including the trachea, bronchi, and lungs, handles the actual air transfer and gas exchange within the body.