The human respiratory system is a complex set of organs and structures responsible for the exchange of gases between the body and the environment. It is made up of two main components: the airway and the lungs.
By Air
The airway is the route that air takes to reach the lungs. It is composed of several structures:
- Nose and mouth: They are the air entrances for the respiratory system. The nose has the additional function of heating, humidifying and filtering the air.
- Pharinx: It is a muscular tube that conducts air from the mouth and nose to the larynx.
- Larynx: Known as the voice box, the larynx contains the vocal cords. It also serves as an air passageway.
- Trachea: It is a wide tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi. It also acts as a line of defense against foreign particles, with hair cells that move mucus and debris out of the lungs.
- Bronchi: These are tubes that branch off the windpipe and carry air directly into the lungs.
Lungs
The lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system and are located inside the chest, on either side of the heart. They are protected by the ribs and are surrounded by muscles that aid in breathing. Each lung is covered by a thin membrane called the pleura.
The lungs are made up of sections called lobes, with the right lung having three lobes and the left lung having two. Each lobe is filled with tiny air sacs called alveoli, which are surrounded by capillaries. This is where gas exchange takes place: oxygen from the air we breathe passes into the blood, while carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism, passes from the blood to the alveoli, where it is exhaled.
In summary, the anatomy of the respiratory system is complex and intricate, allowing us to perform one of the most vital functions for life: breathing.
