Respiratory System

Respiratory system is composed of different organs in our body that are responsible for breathing. Breathing is a process of taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide from our body.  The parts of the respiratory system that are responsible of supplying oxygen are nose, nasal passages, trachea, bronchi, lungs and diaphragm.

Different Parts of Respiratory System and their  Function

Nose and nasal cavity  is the organ through which the air enters and filtered.  The hair that line the inside wall are part of the air  cleansing system.

Pharynx collects incoming air from the nose and passes it downward to the trachea (windpipe).

Epiglottis is a flap of tissue that guards the entrance to the trachea.  It closes when anything is swallowed that should go into the esophagus and stomach.

Larynx (voice box) contains the vocal cords. When moving air is breathed in and out, it creates voice sounds.

Trachea (windpipe) is the passage way of air into the lungs.

Bronchi are two branching tubes that connects the trachea to the lungs.  The bronchial tubes are line with cilia (like very small hairs) that have a wave-like motion.  The motion carries mucus (sticky phlegm or liquid) upward and out into the throat, where it is either coughed or swallowed.  The mucus catches and holds much of the dust, germs and other unwanted matters that harms the lungs.  The lungs get rid of the mucus through coughing.

Bronchioles is the finer subdivision of bronchi, hairlike tubes that connect to the alveoli. 

Alveoli are also called air sacs, it is where the gas exchange occurs.  Each of the air sacs is covered by tiny blood vessels called capillaries.The capillaries are connected to a network of arteries and veins that move blood through your body.

Diaphragm is a strong wall of muscles that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. It is the main muscles used for breathing.  The diaphragm expand and contract the thoracic cavity, causing the lungs to expand and contract.

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

How Does Respiratory System Works

The air enters through the nose, where it is filtered and to the nasal passages where gas is warmed and moistened.  Then to the windpipe or trachea and down to the bronchi and to the bronchioles and to the alveoli.  In the alveoli the oxygen is diffused through the capillaries and to the heart.  On the other hand, carbon dioxide is also diffused from the capillaries in the alveoli to the bronchioles and out of the lungs to the bronchi, trachea and passes out from the nose.