What are the major parts of the respiratory system and their functions?
The major parts of the respiratory system include the nose and nasal cavity (filter and humidify air), pharynx (passageway for air), larynx (voice production), trachea (air passage to lungs), bronchi (conduct air into lungs), bronchioles (distribute air in lungs), and alveoli (site of gas exchange).
What are the differences between the upper and lower respiratory tract?
The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx, responsible for filtering, warming, and humidifying inhaled air. The lower respiratory tract consists of the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs, primarily involved in gas exchange and transporting air to the alveoli.
What is the function of the alveoli in the respiratory system?
The function of the alveoli is to facilitate gas exchange in the lungs. Oxygen from inhaled air diffuses through alveolar walls into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled. This exchange occurs across the thin walls of the alveoli.
What structures form the respiratory tree and how do they contribute to breathing?
The respiratory tree consists of the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. The trachea and bronchi conduct air to and from the lungs, bronchioles regulate airflow, and alveoli facilitate gas exchange between air and blood, enabling breathing and oxygenating the body.
What is the role of the diaphragm in the process of respiration?
The diaphragm plays a crucial role in respiration by contracting and flattening to increase the thoracic cavity's volume during inhalation, creating a negative pressure that draws air into the lungs. During exhalation, it relaxes and returns to its dome shape, pushing air out of the lungs.