The respiratory system plays a vital role in the body, by providing your cells with much needed oxygen, as well as excreting carbon dioxide, which can be deadly if allowed to accumulate. Major parts of the system include the airways, the lungs, and the muscles of respiration. This article will explain anatomy of the respiratory system, detailing the organs involved as well as the things that can go wrong.
Anatomy of Respiratory System: Organs and Functions
The three major parts of the respiratory system all work together to carry out their task. The airways (nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx etc.) allow air to enter the body and into the lungs. The lungs work to pass oxygen into the body, whilst removing carbon dioxide from the body. The muscles of respiration, such as the diaphragm, work in unison to pump air into and out of the lungs whilst breathing.
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Respiratory Organs |
Description |
Function |
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Nose and Nasal Cavity |
The nose is the primary opening for the respiratory system, made of bone, muscle, and cartilage. The nasal cavity is a cavity within your nose filled with mucus membranes and hairs. |
The nose is used to inhale air into the body. The nasal cavity warms the air as it enters, acting as filtration and purifying the air by removing any dust, pollen, and other contaminants, before it passed to the inner body. |
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Mouth |
Also called the oral cavity, the mouth is the secondary exterior opening for the respiratory system. Most commonly, the majority of respiration is achieved via the nose and nasal cavity, but the mouth can be used if needed. |
Inhaling air through the mouth allows more inhalation, as the oral cavity is far larger than the nasal cavity. The air also has less distance to travel, meaning more air can enter your body and be used faster. The oral cavity has no hairs or filtering techniques, meaning the air you inhale does not undergo the filtration process. |
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Pharynx |
Also called the throat, the pharynx is a funnel of muscle that extends from the respiratory openings to the esophagus and larynx. |
Air that is inhaled enters the pharynx, where it descends into the larynx via a diversion from the epiglottis. As the pharynx is used for swallowing food as well as breathing, the epiglottis ensures that air can pass into the trachea, and that food enters the esophagus. |
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Larynx |
Also known as the voice box, the larynx is situated below the pharynx, in the anterior portion of the neck. |
Aside from allowing us the ability of speech, the larynx also acts as a defense mechanism. If any food passes into the esophagus when swallowing, the larynx produces a strong cough reflex. |
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Trachea |
Also known as the wind pipe, the trachea is a tube made of cartilage rings that are lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. |
The main respiratory function of the trachea is to provide a clear and unhindered airway for air to enter and exit the lungs. Inside the trachea, small hairs reside upon the inner walls. These hairs catch dust and other contaminants from inhaled air, which are later expelled via coughing. |
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Bronchi |
The bronchi are two tubes stemming off of the end of the trachea. Each tube is connected to a lung. |
The bronchi connect the wind pipe to the lungs, allowing air from external respiratory openings to pass efficiently into the lungs. Once in the lungs, the bronchi begin to branch out into secondary, smaller bronchi, coined tertiary bronchi. |
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Bronchioles |
Tertiary bronchi divide to even smaller, narrower tubes known as bronchioles. |
Bronchioles lead to alveolar sacs, which are sacs containing alveoli. |
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Alveoli |
Alveoli are hollow, individual cavities that are found within alveolar sacs. |
Alveoli have extremely thin walls, which allows the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to take place within the lungs. There are estimated to be three million alveoli in the average lung. |
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Diaphragm |
The diaphragm is an important muscle of respiration which is situated beneath the lungs. |
The diaphragm contracts to expand the space inside the thoracic cavity, whilst moving a few inches inferiorly into the abdominal cavity. Whilst this is happening, the intercostal muscles also contract, which moves the rip cage up and out. The contractions force air into the lungs, by creating a negative pressure through expansion. |
Physiology of Gas Exchange
Parts of the respiratory system and anatomy of respiratory system and organ functions cannot be complete if you don’t understand the transition between CO2 and O2. Once air has been inhaled, it passed through the airways until it reaches the alveoli within the lungs. Alveolus are surrounded by capillaries, through which the gasses enter and exit. Carbon dioxide enters the alveolus, where oxygen is extracted and passed back into the body. The constant blood flow prevents saturation of the blood, allowing for optimal transfer. The following picture better illustrates the process:
Diseases and Illnesses of the Respiratory System
You should also know that many conditions and illnesses can affect the respiratory system, some of the common problems include: -
- Asthma – Asthma leads to a narrowing of the airways, which can cause breathlessness and wheezing.
- Bronchitis – A condition that causes inflammation of the mucus lining within the one lung or both.
- Emphysema – A disease that affects alveoli.
- Influenza – An illness caused by a virus that can have a detrimental affect on one’s respiratory system.
- Laryngitis – When one’s vocal chords (larynx) become inflamed.
- Pneumonia – When one or both lungs become inflamed.
- Lung cancer – Although commonly associated with smokers, lung cancer can also affect those who do not smoke.
Now you know all about anatomy of respiratory system and things that can go wrong.