UNIT 5 ANA

Apuntes

UNIT 5 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE RESPIRATORY AND EXCRETORY SYSTEMS 1. THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM The respiratory system is made up of the lungs and respiratory tracts. 1.1 RESPIRATORY TRACTS Air flows between the lungs and the outside of the body via a system of tubes called the respiratory tracts or airways. The respiratory tracts are lined with epithelial tissue with ciliated cells that produce mucus. This mucus removes impurities from the air that we breathe. The upper respiratory tract consists of the nasal cavities, the pharynx, and the part of the larynx above the vocal folds. The lower respiratory track contains the part of the larynx below the vocal folds, trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. Nasal cavities The two nasal cavities are above the palate. They are separated by a thin wall called the nasal septum. They are connected to the outside via the nostrils, and to the pharynx via the choanae. The inside of the nasal cavities is covered in a mucous membrane called the nasal mucosa, which has two types of specialized tissues: The respiratory epithelium, which is located in the respiratory region, contains numerous capillaries. It heats, moistens and cleans the air that flows ...