Anatomy Review Part 2

Anatomy of the Respiratory System

Structural Plan of the respiratory system:

o Structure determined by respiratory system functions of air
distributor and gas exchanger supplying oxygen & removing
carbon dioxide from cells
Alveoli: sacs that serve as gas exchangers
Respiratory organs involved in speech, homeostasis of body
pH, and olfaction
o The respiratory system is divided into two structural divisions:
Upper Respiratory Tract: the organs are located outside the
thorax and consist of located in head
Nose
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
Larynx
Lower Respiratory Tract: the organs are located within the
thorax and consist of
Trachea
Bronchial Tree
Lungs
Accessory structures include
Oral cavity
Rib Cage
Diaphragm

Upper Respiratory Tract

o Nose
Structure of the nose- external portion consists of bony and
cartilaginous frame covered by skin containing sebaceous
glands
Two nasal bones meet and are surrounded by the
frontal bone to form the root.
Internal Portion of the nose (nasal cavity) lies over the roof of
the mouth, separated by the palatine bones nasal cavity lies
over roof of mouth
Cleft Palate- condition where the palatine bones fail to
unite completely
Cribriform Plate- separates the roof of the nose from the
cranial cavity
Septum- separates nasal cavity into right and left
cavities. It consists of four structures:
o Perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone

o Vomer Bone
o Vomeronasal cartilages
o Septal Nasal Cartilage
Each nasal cavity is divided into three passageways:
Superior Meatuses
Middle Meatuses
Inferior Meatuses
Anterior (external) nares external openings to the nasal
cavities
Paranasal sinuses:
Four pairs of air-containing spaces that open or drain
into the nasal cavity
Each is lined with respiratory mucosa
Functions of the Nose: air distribution
Provides a passageway from air traveling to and from
the lungs
Filters the air, aids speech, and makes possible the
sense of smell
o Pharynx (throat)
Structure of Pharynx
Tube like structure extending from the base of the skull
to the esophagus
Made of muscle and divided into three parts:
o Nasopharynx
o Oropharynx
o Laryngopharynx
Pharyngeal Tonsils
Located in the nasopharynx
Called adenoids when they become enlarged
Oropharynx contain two pairs of organs
Palatine tonsils most commonly removed
Lingual Tonsils
Functions of the pharynx:
Pathway for the respiratory (air) and digestive tract
(fluid & food)
o Larynx (Voice box) organ of speech and air passage
Location of Pharynx- positioned between the root of the
tongue and the upper end of the trachea
Structure of Larynx
Lined by a ciliated mucous membrane, which forms two
pairs of folds
o Vestibular Fold
o Vocal Folds

Carilages (frame work) of the larynx

Single laryngeal cartilage (3) - the 3 largest cartilages
o Thyroid Cartilages
o Epiglottis
o Cricoid Cartilages
Paired laryngeal cartilage (6) 3 pairs of smaller
cartilages
o Arytenoid
o Carniculate
o Cuneiform
Functions of the larynx- forms part of the airway to the lungs
and produces the voice

Lower Respiratory Tract

o Trachea- often called windpipe
Extends from larynx to the primary bronchi
Functions of the trachea- furnishes part of the open airway to
the lungs; obstruction cause death by asphyxiation
o Bronchi & Alveoli
Structure of Bronchi
Lower end of the trachea divides into primary bronchi,
one on the right and one on the left; right one is larger
and more vertical then left
Primary bronchi enter the lung and divide into
secondary bronchi, which branch into bronchioles and
eventually divide into alveolar ducts and alveoli
Structure of Alveoli primary gas exchange structures
Respiratory membrane- the barrier between which
gases are exchanged by alveolar air and blood
Respiratory membrane consists of the alveolar
epithelium, the capillary endothelium, and their joined
basement membrane
Pulmonary Surfactant- a component of the fluid
coating the respiratory membrane that reduces surface
tension
Functions of bronchi & alveoli
Distributes air to the lungs exterior
o Lungs
Structure of the lungs: Cone-shaped organs extending from the
diaphragm to above the clavicles
Hilum- slit on the lungs medial surface where the
primary bronchi and pulmonary blood vessels enter
Base- the inferior surface of the lung that rests on the
diaphragm
Costal Surface- lies against the ribs

Left lungs is divided into two lobeso Superior

o Inferior
Right lung is divided into three lobeso Superior
o Middle
o Inferior
Lobes are further divided into functional units- broncho
pulmonary segments functional units of lungs
o Ten segments into right lung
o Eight segments into left lung

o Thorax
Structure of the thoracic cavity- 3 divisions divided by the
pleura
Pleural Divisions- the part occupied by the lungs
Mediastinum- part occupied by the esophagus, trachea,
large blood vessels, and heart
Functions of the throrax- brings about inspiration and
expiration
Due to changes in size of thorax