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BDSYS2
Respiratory System
Organ | Function |
---|---|
Mouth, nose & nasal cavity | The function of this part of the system is to warm, filter and moisten the incoming air |
Pharynx | Here the throat divides into the trachea (wind pipe) and oesophagus (food pipe). There is also a small flap of cartilage called the epiglottis which prevents food from entering the trachea |
Larynx | This is also known as the voice box as it is where sound is generated. It also helps protect the trachea by producing a strong cough reflex if any solid objects pass the epiglottis. |
Trachea | It's a tube which carries air from the throat into the lungs. The inner membrane of the trachea is covered in tiny hairs called cilia. |
Bronchi | The trachea divides into two tubes called bronchi, one entering the left and one entering the right lung. Once inside the lung the bronchi split several ways, forming tertiary bronchi. |
Bronchioles | Tertiary bronchi continue to divide and become bronchioles, very narrow tubes, less than 1 millimeter in diameter. There is no cartilage within the bronchioles and they lead to alveolar sacs. |
Alveoli | Individual hollow cavities contained within alveolar sacs (or ducts). Alveoli have very thin walls which permit the exchange of gases Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide. approximately 3 million alveoli within an average adult lung. |
Diaphragm | The diaphragm is a broad band of muscle which sits underneath the lungs, attaching to the lower ribs, sternum and lumbar spine and forming the base of the thoracic cavity. |