Introduction to the Respiratory System

1. Introduction to the Respiratory System Review of the Structures Involved in Breathing Week 3

2. Lets start by reviewing the anatomical structures of the respiratory system Can anyone name any of the structures involved in breathing? Now we’ve got a list can you put them in order?

3. Overview of the Structures of the Respiratory System

4. The air continues into many branching airways known as the bronchial tree The trachea and bronchi have supporting cartilage to keep the airways open Bronchiole walls contain more smooth muscle. The airways from the nasal cavity through the terminal bronchioles are called the conducting zone The air is moistened, warmed and filtered as it flows through these passageways The air then reaches the respiratory zone

5. The respiratory zone The respiratory zone contains alveoli, tiny thin walled sacs where gas exchanges occurs. Terminal bronchi Alveoli Lets now look at the actual site of diffusion, the respiratory membrane

6. The structure of the respiratory membrane • Is composed of. • The alveolar wall, • The capillary wall, and, • Their basement membranes. • It is very thin, measuring only 0.5 to 4.0 Цm. • This membrane presents a barrier for gas exchange.

7. Summary • The respiratory system consists of the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. • The lungs contain the bronchial tree, the branching airways from the primary bronchi through the terminal bronchioles. • The respiratory zone of the lungs is the region containing alveoli, tiny thin-walled sacs where gas exchange occurs. • Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse between the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries across the very thin respiratory membrane.