BMS2031 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Tidal Volume, Bronchitis, Lung Volumes
Week 7. Respiratory 1 Structure and function of the
respiratory system
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
• Nasal cavity: filters particles, humidifies and warms air
• Trachea: has rings of cartilage to keeps airway open (support) and joins to larynx and bronchi
• Alveolar sacs: are on the periphery in the lung and is surrounded by blood vessels
• The lungs:
• Structure and function:
Cartilage
o Presence in large airways only
o Prevents collapse
Glands and
goblet cells
o Mucus secreting cells
o Removal of bacteria and particles
Cilia
o Present on epithelium of bronchi and bronchioles
o Removes particles to pharynx
o Muco-ciliary-escalator
• Airway branching:
o Branch dichotomously
o Conducting zone = dead space
o Bronchioles have smooth muscle
• Trachea, bronchi and bronchioles only serve to deliver clean oxygen to alveoli where gas
exchange occurs
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