Lower Respiratory System
Structures
Larynx
AKA the voicebox- contains vocal cords that vibrate as air passes over them to make sound.
Contains:
Glottis- opening to larynx
Thyroid cartilage- Adam's apple. Protects glottis
Epiglottis- covers glottis during swallowing
AKA the voicebox- contains vocal cords that vibrate as air passes over them to make sound.
Contains:
Glottis- opening to larynx
Thyroid cartilage- Adam's apple. Protects glottis
Epiglottis- covers glottis during swallowing
Trachea
Tube of C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage. Begins under pharynx and branches into bronchi.
Tube of C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage. Begins under pharynx and branches into bronchi.
Bronchi
Primary bronchi- where trachea branches off. Right bronchi takes air to right lung, left bronchi to left lung.
Once they reach the lungs, the primary bronchi branch into secondary and tertiary bronchi.
As you move from the trachea to the bronchioles, the structures progressively become made of more smooth muscle than cartilage.
Tertiary bronchi branch into bronchioles, which transport gas to the alveoli.
Primary bronchi- where trachea branches off. Right bronchi takes air to right lung, left bronchi to left lung.
Once they reach the lungs, the primary bronchi branch into secondary and tertiary bronchi.
As you move from the trachea to the bronchioles, the structures progressively become made of more smooth muscle than cartilage.
Tertiary bronchi branch into bronchioles, which transport gas to the alveoli.
Alveoli
Sac structures where gas exchange takes place
The bronchioles are connected to the alveoli by the alveolar ducts.
150 million alveoli per lung
Sac structures where gas exchange takes place
The bronchioles are connected to the alveoli by the alveolar ducts.
150 million alveoli per lung
Lungs
The main function of the lungs is to bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide, allowing us to breathe.
The main function of the lungs is to bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide, allowing us to breathe.
Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a dome shaped muscle at the bottom of the thoracic cavity. When we breathe in, the diaphragm contracts, opens up the thoracic cavity, and allows the lungs to expand to make room for oxygen coming in. When the diaphragm relaxes, we breath out and release carbon dioxide.
The diaphragm is a dome shaped muscle at the bottom of the thoracic cavity. When we breathe in, the diaphragm contracts, opens up the thoracic cavity, and allows the lungs to expand to make room for oxygen coming in. When the diaphragm relaxes, we breath out and release carbon dioxide.