Respiratory System
Facts about the Respiratory System
• Responsible for taking in oxygen & removing
carbon dioxide
• Cells have a 4 to 6 minute supply of oxygen
• Consists of an upper & lower respiratory tract
Upper Respiratory Tract
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Nose
Sinuses
Nasal pathway
Pharynx
Tonsils
Larynx
Trachea
Lower Respiratory Tract
• Lungs
• Bronchi tubes
• Alveoli
Upper Tract
• Sinuses
– Hollow spaces lined with mucus
– Drain into the nasal cavity
• Nose
– Lined with mucus & cilia (sweep germs away)
• Pharynx (Throat)
– Connects nasal & oral cavity
• Epiglottis
– Cartilage closes trachea when
swallowing
• Larynx (Voice box)
– Connects throat to trachea
– Major function = voice (vocal cords)
• Trachea
– Windpipe
Lower Tract
• Lungs
– Airtight
– Inhale / Exhale
– Lined with mucus (pleura)
• Bronchi
– Air tubes
– Covered with mucus & cilia
• Alveoli
– Air sacs
– 300 million per lung (clusters of 15 to 20)
– Gas (oxygen / carbon dioxide) occur