Organs of the Respiratory System

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Organs of the Respiratory System

The different organs of respiratory system like nose, larynx, trachea, bronchea, etc. together carry out the process of breathing. These organs play an important role in supplying oxygen to different parts of the body and thereby allowing its smooth functioning.

Quick Fact!
The rate of breathing in human beings is in the range of 8-16 per minute (i.e. roughly 12 per minute). There are 1440 minutes in 24 hours, therefore, the average number of breaths taken by a human in a single day is 17,280.

The main function of respiratory system is allowing the gas exchange with different parts of the body. The different organs of the respiratory system are the nose, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. These organs together carry out the process of respiration. Respiration is classified as aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration takes place in the presence of oxygen while anaerobic respiration doesn't need oxygen. Organs of the human respiratory system together carry out aerobic respiration and fulfill the oxygen demands of the body.

List of Organs of the Respiratory System

Studying these organs in a detailed manner should help us understand the process of respiration. Functions of different organs of the respiratory system are described below. Nose It is the respiratory organ through which air is inhaled and exhaled. Nostrils (also known as external nares) are the parts of the nose which facilitate the process of inhalation and exhalation. Vestibule is a part of the nostrils lined with coarse hair. It filters and humidifies the air that enters the nasal cavity. Cavity of the nose is divided into two parts by the nasal septum. Superior and lateral walls of the nasal cavity are formed of nasal, maxillary, ethmoid, frontal and sphenoid bones. Floor of nasal cavity is formed of hard and soft palates. Cartilage is the external part of nose, which forms its tip. Bony shelves which project from lateral walls of the nose are referred to as inferior, middle and superior nasal conchae. Meatuses are spaces present between the conchae.

Pharynx The pharynx is a tubular part of the respiratory system which allows the passage of air to the lungs.

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Organs of the Respiratory System

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It is located behind the nasal and oral cavities. The different parts of the pharynx are as follows: Nasopharynx: It connects the upper portion of the throat with the nasal cavity. Oropharynx: It is located between the soft palate and upper part of epiglottis. Laryngopharynx: This part of the pharynx is located below the epiglottis. It opens into the esophagus and larynx. Pharynx is connected with the skull cavity by means of muscles and connective tissues. Epiglottis It is a flap-like structure (epiglottis) which prevents food from entering the trachea at the time of swallowing. The epiglottis is composed of cartilaginous tissue and is located at the opening of the larynx (back of our tongue); it is covered with mucous. Since the epiglottis gets abraded easily (it lies in the digestive tract), its surface is covered with protective, non-keratinized and stratified squamous epithelial cells.

Larynx It is a part of the respiratory system which connects the trachea with laryngopharynx. The larynx controls the flow of air while breathing. The larynx, which is also known as sound box is formed of cartilages. Epiglottis, thyroid and cricoid are the three important cartilages of larynx. Other cartilages present in the larynx are corniculate, arytenoid and cuneiform. Epiglottis prevents the food from entering the respiratory tract. The flap-like action of the epiglottis is facilitated by the corniculate cartilage.

Trachea The trachea, which is also known as the windpipe extends from larynx to the bronchi. In fact, the trachea is branched into bronchi. The trachea facilitates the flow of air towards the bronchi. The trachea lies to the anterior side of the esophagus; it has a tubular structure with 1 inch. diameter and a length of 4.25 inch. Length of the trachea spans between the 6th cervical and 5th thoracic vertebrae. The trachea is composed of around 15-20 C-shaped pieces of hyaline cartilage. These pieces are held together by tracheal muscles.

Bronchi

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Bronchus (singular of bronchi) is a passage which allows the flow of air into lungs. The bronchi extend from the trachea to the lungs. The tracheal tube when divided into two on the caudal end, gives rise to the left and right bronchi. The left bronchus is shorter than the right one and is further divided into 2 lobar bronchi; right bronchus is divided into 3 lobar bronchi.

Lungs The lungs are a pair of conical organs present in pleural cavities. They carry out the work of supplying the body with oxygen and removing carbon-dioxide. The left lung is divided in 2 lobes (superior and inferior) while the right one in 3 (superior, inferior and middle). Each lung possesses a hilus; it is a part which allows passage of blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics and the bronchi.

Alveoli The alveoli are sac-shaped bodies present inside the lungs. The alveoli function as an interface for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and capillaries. Capillaries are connected with the rest of the body. Alveoli are found only in the lungs of mammals.

Diaphragm The diaphragm is formed of skeletal muscles and acts as a partition between thoracic and abdominal cavity. Contraction of muscles of diaphragm causes the expansion of thoracic cavity; contraction of diaphragm is important from the point of expansion of lungs during inhalation.

Respiration Process
In terms of animal physiology, respiration is defined as the process in which oxygen from the environment enters the body and carbon dioxide is released. Respiration takes place in four stages, i.e. ventilation, pulmonary gas exchange, gas transport and peripheral gas exchange. In the ventilation stage, air moves in and out of the alveoli of lungs. The gas exchange which takes place between pulmonary capillaries and alveoli is termed as pulmonary gas exchange. Movement of gas within pulmonary capillaries, towards the peripheral capillaries and finally, back to lungs is referred to as gas transport. The exchange of gases between tissues and tissue capillaries is known as peripheral gas exchange.

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Organs of the Respiratory System

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These facts give us a rough idea about the anatomy and functioning of respiratory system. Details pertaining to the different organs of the respiratory system should allow to understand it in a better manner. By Shashank Nakate Last Updated: 8/30/2011 About Buzzle | Privacy Policy
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