1242 Unit 10 Promoting Physiological Health

STRUCTURE AND PROCESSES
OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The structure of the respiratory system facilitates gas exchange and
protects the body from foreign matter such as particulates and patho-
gens. The four processes of the respiratory system include pulmonary
ventilation, alveolar gas exchange, transport of oxygen and carbon di-
oxide, and systemic diffusion.
Structure of the Respiratory System
The respiratory system (Figure 50–1 ) is divided structurally into
the upper respiratory system and the lower respiratory system. The
mouth, nose, pharynx, and larynx compose the upper respiratory
system. The lower respiratory system includes the trachea and lungs,
with the bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pulmonary capillary network,
and pleural membranes.
Air enters through the nose, where it is warmed, humidified, and
filtered. Hairs at the entrance of the nares trap large particles in the air,
and smaller particles are filtered and trapped as air changes direction
on contact with the nasal turbinates and septum. Irritants in the nasal
passages initiate the sneeze reflex. A large volume of air rapidly exits
through the nose and mouth during a sneeze, helping to clear nasal
passages.
Inspired air passes from the nose through the pharynx. The
pharynx is a shared pathway for air and food. It includes both the na-
sopharynx and the oropharynx, which are richly supplied with lym-
phoid tissue that traps and destroys pathogens entering with the air.
The larynx is a cartilaginous structure that can be identified ex-
ternally as the Adam’s apple. In addition to its role in providing for
speech, the larynx is important for maintaining airway patency and
protecting the lower airways from swallowed food and fluids. Dur-
ing swallowing, the inlet to the larynx (the epiglottis) closes, routing
food to the esophagus. The epiglottis is open during breathing, al-
lowing air to move freely into the lower airways. Below the larynx,
the trachea leads to the right and left main bronchi (primary bronchi)
and the other conducting airways of the lungs. Within the lungs, the

Nasopharynx
Nasal cavity
Oropharynx

Laryngeal pharynx
Epiglottis
Larynx
Right lung
Esophagus
Right
bronchus
Trachea

Left lung

Left bronchus

Mediastinum

Terminal
bronchiole
Respiratory
Terminal bronchioles
bronchiole Diaphragm Pleura

Alveolar
duct

Alveoli

Figure 50–1   A, Organs of the respiratory tract; B, respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.