Human Respiratory Organs
The respiratory, or pulmonary, system has the function to deliver oxygen to the blood, and remove carbon dioxide on the way out. Within human beings, the respiratory system is well developed and very complex. The respiratory tract consists of respiratory organs that all work together in an intricate system. The organs are:
The Nasal Cavity: A part of our nose, the nasal cavity brings in air through the external nostrils, and then sends it to the pharynx with our internal nostrils. The nasal cavity also serves the function of sifting out dust particles with mucus and the cilia as a barrier.
The Pharynx. After entering through the nasal cavity, air next goes to the pharynx. There, the pharynx opens into the larynx or voice box through the glottis. The pharynx is actually shared by the respiratory system with the digestive tract. Luckily, the glottis is usually covered by the cartilage epiglottis when we swallow food, so we donat choke.
The Larynx: This is a cartilagious, box-like structure that is situated at the tracheal opening. The larynx will move up or down when we swallow to allow the passage of air or food, safely. It also is responsible for human speech, as it contains two vocal chords that vibrate to produce sound.
The Trachea: The trachea is the next organ through which air flows. This is a tube that is eleven centimeters in length with a twenty five centimeter diameter. In order to keep the trachea opened, there is an incomplete C-shaped cartiligious ring within the trachea wall.
The Bronchi and Bronchioles. The next stop for air is the two primary bronchi that split off from the trachea. These serve the function of carrying the air into the next organ, the lungs. The right bronchus divides into three bronchi, each extending respectively into the three lobes of the right lung. On the other side, the left bronchi divides into two bronchi that extend into the two lobes of the left lung.
The Lungs. Located in the thoracic cavity, there are two lungs, which is the last stop for air within the respiratory tract. Our lungs are a dark colored, spongy bag like structure that is incredibly elastic, allowing for them to expand and contact with each breath. The lungs rest on a sheet of muscle called the diaphragm. The diaphragm is one of the structures that surrounds the thoracic cavity, like the vertebral column and the sternum. The diaphragm forms the floor of the thoracic.
The lungs are probably one of the most complex organs in the respiratory tract, with the right lung divided into three lobes and the left lung divided into two. The lungs are enclosed by the pleural cavity, which is itself surrounded by two membranes that secrete an oily matter called pleural fluid, which permeates the Pleural cavity.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment