Respiratory System, Breathing and Respiration
The respiratory system
| Structure | Function |
| Nasal cavity | Air is warmed and filtered as it enters the body. |
| Trachea | Brings air into the lungs. Supported by rings of cartilage that prevent it collapsing. |
| Bronchus | Branches off the trachea to bring air into the lungs. Also supported by rings of cartilage. |
| Bronchiole | Branch off the bronchi. |
| Alveoli | Small air sacs that are the site of gas exchange. |
| Lung | Organ where gas exchange occurs. |
| Ribs | Protect internal organs of the thorax. |
| Thorax | Part of the body between the neck and abdomen. |
| Intercostal muscles | Muscles between the ribs that aid breathing. |
| Diaphragm | Sheet of muscle below the ribs that aids breathing. |
| Pleural membranes | Thin layers that reduce friction between the lungs and the inside of the chest wall during breathing. |
| Pleural fluid | Fluid found in the pleural cavity (between the pleural membrane layers). It further reduces friction during breathing. |
| Structure | Nasal cavity |
|---|---|
| Function | Air is warmed and filtered as it enters the body. |
| Structure | Trachea |
|---|---|
| Function | Brings air into the lungs. Supported by rings of cartilage that prevent it collapsing. |
| Structure | Bronchus |
|---|---|
| Function | Branches off the trachea to bring air into the lungs. Also supported by rings of cartilage. |
| Structure | Bronchiole |
|---|---|
| Function | Branch off the bronchi. |
| Structure | Alveoli |
|---|---|
| Function | Small air sacs that are the site of gas exchange. |
| Structure | Lung |
|---|---|
| Function | Organ where gas exchange occurs. |
| Structure | Ribs |
|---|---|
| Function | Protect internal organs of the thorax. |
| Structure | Thorax |
|---|---|
| Function | Part of the body between the neck and abdomen. |
| Structure | Intercostal muscles |
|---|---|
| Function | Muscles between the ribs that aid breathing. |
| Structure | Diaphragm |
|---|---|
| Function | Sheet of muscle below the ribs that aids breathing. |
| Structure | Pleural membranes |
|---|---|
| Function | Thin layers that reduce friction between the lungs and the inside of the chest wall during breathing. |
| Structure | Pleural fluid |
|---|---|
| Function | Fluid found in the pleural cavity (between the pleural membrane layers). It further reduces friction during breathing. |