Respiratory System

Running Head: RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Respiratory System
Name
Institution

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM 2
Respiratory System
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Anatomy and Functions of the Respiratory System........................................................................4
Nose and Paranasal Sinuses.........................................................................................................4
Pharynx........................................................................................................................................6
Larynx..........................................................................................................................................7
Tracheobronchial Tree and Deep Lung Airways.........................................................................8
Trachea.....................................................................................................................................8
Bronchus...................................................................................................................................9
Microscopic Anatomy of Respiratory System...............................................................................10
Non-ventilatory Functions.............................................................................................................11
Conclusions....................................................................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................14

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM 3
Introduction
The chief role of the respiratory system is to deliver oxygen (O2) to the body and
eliminate carbon dioxide (CO2). Oxygen (needed by cells to work) from the outside surroundings
is moved into the blood whilst CO2 is excluded into the external environment or external air
(Ionescu, 2013). The billions of tissues in the respiratory system are far away from the drawn in
air to exchange gases straight, and rather the blood moves the O2 in the body cells. Thus, this will
happen each inhalation one takes in which the oxygen initially enters the mouth or nose during
the time of inhalation. This air (oxygen) will pass through the larynx, as well as trachea where
then it splits into two bronchi. The several tubes create a huge amount of passageways in the
lung and ending at the stop with a link to minute sacs referred to as alveoli (Tu, Intavong &
Ahmadi, 2013). Thus, the exchange of gases primarily occurs at the alveoli, in which oxygen
circulates into the capillaries of the lungs in exchange of carbon dioxide. The exhalation starts
following the process of gas exchange where the air that contains carbon dioxide returns via the
bronchial passageways in addition to to the external environment via the mouth or nose
(Mazengenya & Bhikha, 2017). The secondary roles of the respiratory system include warming,
filtering, as well as humidifying the inhaled air.
In terms of anatomy, the respiratory system may be splitted into upper along with the
lower respiratory zone. Thus, the upper respiratory zone contains the organs situated external of
the thorax region (nose, pharynx, and larynx), while the lower respiratory zone contains organs
situated nearly wholly in it (trachea, bronchi, alveolar duct, and alveoli) (Meraz, Nazeran,
Ramos, Nava, Diong & Goldman, 2011).

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM 4
Anatomy and Functions of the Respiratory System
The human respiratory system comprises the nose, nasal cavity, plus paranasal sinuses;
the pharynx, larynx, the trachea; the bronchi plus their tiny branches; plus the lungs that have air
sacs or alveoli. In terms of function, the respiratory system contains two zones: the respiratory
and conducting zones as shown in figure 1.0. The respiratory zone is the actual region where gas
exchange occurs that has respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli and all the microscopic
structures (Schachner, Sedlmayr, Schott, Lyson, Sanders & Lambertz, 2017). On the other side,
conducting zone comprises of other respiratory pathways that offer fairly rigid channels for air to
reach the gas exchange regions. The conducting zone has also the role of cleansing, humidify
and warm the air entering the system. Consequently, the air reaching the lungs of the body has
fewer contaminants or irritations (bacteria, dust) as compared to air that entered the system (Tu
et al., 2013).