Technically the respiratory system is anatomically divided based on function into the conducting zone and the respiratory zone. The conducting zone are the structures that are responsible or allows the flow and delivery of air from the external environment into the respiratory zone. The respiratory zone on the other hand includes the anatomic structures which are responsible for respiration or the actual exchange of inspired oxygen into the red blood cells and carbon dioxide from the blood to the lungs for expiration.
The conducting zone includes the following structures
1. Nasal cavity- the nasal cavity is lined with human hair and cilia. These structures prevent foreign materials from entering the respiratory system. The cilia in particular could cause a sneezing reflex when stimulated by an external insult or foreign material. This is a line of defense to avoid respiratory infections or diseases.
2. Pharynx- since it serves as a passageway for both air and food, it is a part of both the respiratory and digestive systems.
4. Larynx- Also known as the voice box, it has a primary role in sound production. However, it is also known as the glottis and therefore a demarcation between the air and food passageway.
5. Trachea- The trachea is a cartilaginous tube also known as the windpipe and is the main passageway of air into the lungs. It should be noted that oxygen exchange is not present in this structure. Its main role is just to serve as a conducting structure of air. This hollow tube will eventually branch out into two bronchi.
6. Bronchi- branching out of the trachea are two bronchi that serves as passageway for air into the lungs. Unlike the trachea, it does not have a cartilaginous support. It branches off into bronchioles continuously until the 16th generation until it comes to a diameter known as the terminal bronchioles wherein it no longer serve as only a conducting structure but is also a site of gas exchange.
The respiratory zone includes the following structures:
1. Respiratory bronchioles- starting from the terminal bronchiole (16th generation of branching) there is minimal gas exchange.
2. Alveolar ducts- The alveolar ducts which are the ducts in closest proximity to alveolar sacs are also capable of gas exchange but not at rate similar to that at the alveolar sacs.
3. Alveolar sacs. This is the main respiratory structure of the respiratory system. The majority of gas exchange takes place in this area. It is gas filled with the sacs lined by alveolar cells that allow the flow of oxygen from the air through the endothelium (capillary lining of capillary bed) into the blood that would eventually bind to the hemoglobin of the red blood cells. This would then be carried into the heart and pumped to the different organ systems.
In functional anatomy, the diaphragm and the other muscles of the chest wall responsible for the inhalation and exhalation of air are considered as part of the respiratory functional anatomy.
To simplify, the diaphragm, windpipe, throat, and nose do not directly play a part in gas exchange but still play a part in the overall function of the respiratory system.
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Technically the respiratory system is anatomically divided based on function into the conducting zone and the respiratory zone. The conducting zone are the structures that are responsible or allows the flow and delivery of air from the external environment into the respiratory zone. The respiratory zone on the other hand includes the anatomic structures which are responsible for respiration or the actual exchange of inspired oxygen into the red blood cells and carbon dioxide from the blood to the lungs for expiration.
The conducting zone includes the following structures
1. Nasal cavity- the nasal cavity is lined with human hair and cilia. These structures prevent foreign materials from entering the respiratory system. The cilia in particular could cause a sneezing reflex when stimulated by an external insult or foreign material. This is a line of defense to avoid respiratory infections or diseases.
2. Pharynx- since it serves as a passageway for both air and food, it is a part of both the respiratory and digestive systems.
4. Larynx- Also known as the voice box, it has a primary role in sound production. However, it is also known as the glottis and therefore a demarcation between the air and food passageway.
5. Trachea- The trachea is a cartilaginous tube also known as the windpipe and is the main passageway of air into the lungs. It should be noted that oxygen exchange is not present in this structure. Its main role is just to serve as a conducting structure of air. This hollow tube will eventually branch out into two bronchi.
6. Bronchi- branching out of the trachea are two bronchi that serves as passageway for air into the lungs. Unlike the trachea, it does not have a cartilaginous support. It branches off into bronchioles continuously until the 16th generation until it comes to a diameter known as the terminal bronchioles wherein it no longer serve as only a conducting structure but is also a site of gas exchange.
The respiratory zone includes the following structures:
1. Respiratory bronchioles- starting from the terminal bronchiole (16th generation of branching) there is minimal gas exchange.
2. Alveolar ducts- The alveolar ducts which are the ducts in closest proximity to alveolar sacs are also capable of gas exchange but not at rate similar to that at the alveolar sacs.
3. Alveolar sacs. This is the main respiratory structure of the respiratory system. The majority of gas exchange takes place in this area. It is gas filled with the sacs lined by alveolar cells that allow the flow of oxygen from the air through the endothelium (capillary lining of capillary bed) into the blood that would eventually bind to the hemoglobin of the red blood cells. This would then be carried into the heart and pumped to the different organ systems.
In functional anatomy, the diaphragm and the other muscles of the chest wall responsible for the inhalation and exhalation of air are considered as part of the respiratory functional anatomy.
To simplify, the diaphragm, windpipe, throat, and nose do not directly play a part in gas exchange but still play a part in the overall function of the respiratory system.
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