Simple diagram of the lower respiratory tract.
(Click
here for a more detailed diagram.)
The Human Respiratory System - Overview |
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[Back to the previous
page] 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.
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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 :
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NARES
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NASO PHARYNX
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EPIGLOTTIS
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TRACHEA
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Lower Respiratory Tract :
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 Return
to text version of simple diagram of lower
respiratory tract (click
here).
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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).
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| 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.
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