Anatomy And Physiology

Anatomy and Physiology: Respiratory System -two tracts are responsible for ventilation (movement of air in and out of the airways. Upper respiratory tract: warms and filters inspired air Lower respiratory tract: accomplishes gas exchange UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT:

1. Nose The nose is composed of an external and an internal portion: - External Portion: protrudes from the face and is supported by the nasal bones and cartilages. The anterior nares (nostrils) are the external openings of the nasal cavities.

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Internal Portion: hollow cavity separated into the right and left cavities by a narrow vertical divider, the septum.

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serves as a passageway for air to pass to and from the lungs. It filters impurities and humidifies and warms the air as it is inhaled. It is responsible for olfaction (smell) because the olfactory receptors are located in the nasal mucosa. 2. Paranasal sinuses - include four pair of bony cavities that are lined with nasal mucosa and ciliated psudostratified columnar epithelium. These air spaces are connected by a series of ducts that drain into the nasal cavity. - Sinuses are named by their location: frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal and maxillary. -serve as a resonating chamber in speech 3. Turbinate Bones (Conchae) - conchae:suggested by their shell-like appearance -catches practically all the dust and organisms in the inhaled air. 4. Pharynx, Tonsils and Adenoids - Pharynx: tube like structure that connects the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx 3 Regions: -Nasopharynx – located to the nose and above the soft palate -Oropharynx- houses the faucial, or palatine, tonsils. -Laryngopharynx- extends from the hyoid bone to the cricoid cartilage. -

Epiglottis- forms the entrance of the larynx Adenoids (pharyngeal tonsil)- located in the roof of the nasopharynx. Encircles the throat.

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Important links in the chain of lymph nodes guarding the body from invasion by organisms entering the nose and the throat

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Passageway for the respiratory and digestive tracts

5. Larynx - or voice organ - cartilaginous epithelium lined structure that connects the pharynx