Simple diagram of the lower respiratory tract.
(Click
here for a more detailed diagram.)
The Human Respiratory System - Overview |
Study of the Respiratory System is an essential part of many general anatomy and physiology courses, such as for clinical assistants, training in non-drug therapies (such as Massage, Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, Shiatsu, and others), and first-level academic courses such as "A"-Level Human Biology. |
| |
This page is an overview of the structure and functions
of the respiratory system.
For a list of links to related pages see the box in the top-left of this
page.
|
| |
About Respiration
Respiration consists of:
- Breathing (inspiration and expiration),
- Gaseous Exchange (exchange of gases between the
lungs/blood and blood/tissues and vice-versa).
It is controlled by the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), more specifically
by the Medulla Oblongata. |
Basic Structure of the Respiratory System
Here is the simplest possible statement of the structure
of the respiratory system as a flow-chart indicating the
route by which oxygen flows into the body via the airways
and travels to the surfaces at which gaseous exchange with
tissues occurs:
Upper Respiratory Tract : |
NARES
|
NASO PHARYNX
|
EPIGLOTTIS
|
TRACHEA
|
|
|
Lower Respiratory
Tract :
(Click to view this section as a diagram instead) |
TRACHEA
|
(BIFICATES INTO 2 BRONCHI)
|
|
|
|
ALVEOLAR SACS ALVEOLAR
SACS
|
|
Although the above is a good starting point
from which to memorise the structures one might
need to identify in an exam, further detail will
be needed when asked to "describe by means
of a diagram", or similar. All but the simplest
texts illustrate the upper- and lower- respiratory
tracts seperately.
See pages about diagram of upper respiratory
tract and diagram of the lower respiratory tract.
Memorable Facts about the Human Respiratory System
- There are two lungs in the body, the total surface area
of both of these combined being equivalent to that of about
2 tennis courts (per normal adult).
- All of the blood in the body circulates through the
lungs each time it passes around the body.
- If laid end-to-end the capilliaries of the lungs would
stretch for approx. 44 miles (70 km).
|
|
| This is the end of this page
but information about other aspects of the Respiratory
System, such as Pulmonary Circulation are included
on other pages of this website.
|
|
