What is the Respiratory System?

Improtant Structures

Nasal Cavity: warms and moistens air while cilia and hair.

Pharynx and Larynx: upper and lower parts of that.

Epigottis: covers the opening to larynx so that food does not enter lungs.

Trachea and Bronchi (and bronchioles): large, branching tubes that lead to the lungs.

Lung: site of gas exchange.

Diaphragm: Inhalation - diaphragm contracts ---> chest cavity expands so air rushes in.

Muscle: exhalation - diaphragm relaxes ---> chest cavity shrinks so air is forced out.

Alveolus (Alvecli): tiny sacs surrounded by capillaries where there are gas exchanges of oxygen and carbon dixode.

Bronchiole: As the airway passages make their way out to the living tissue, the passages become smaller and are referred to as bronchioles (Glossary of Terms- Bronchus/Bronchi/Bronchioles).

Pulmonary Artery: an artery conveying venous blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs (Dictionary Reference).

Pulmonary Vein: One of four vessels that carry aerated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart. The pulmonary veins are the only veins that carry bright-red oxygenated blood (Medicine Net).

Video: Discussing what exaclty the respiratory system is.