Organs of the Respiratory System

Nose
It is the organ through which air is inhaled and

exhaled. Nostrils (also known as external nares)

facilitate the process of inhalation and exhalation.
Vestibule is a part inside the nostrils lined by
coarse hair. Cavity of the nose is divided into two
parts by the nasal septum.
 Nose
The superior and lateral walls of nasal cavity are

formed of the nasal, maxillary, ethmoid, frontal

and sphenoid bones. Floor of the nasal cavity is
composed of hard and soft palates. Cartilage is
external part of nose, which forms the tip and
bridge. Bony shelves which project from lateral
walls of the nose are known as inferior, middle and
superior nasal conchae.
 Trachea
The trachea lies to the anterior side of the
esophagus. It is a tubular structure with 1 inch
diameter and a length of 4.25 inches. The length of
trachea spans between 6th cervical and 5th
thoracic vertebrae. Trachea is composed of around
15 - 20 'C' - shaped pieces of hyaline cartilage.
These pieces are held together by tracheal
muscles.
 Bronchi
The tracheal tube when divided into two at the
caudal end, gives rise to left and right bronchi.
Bronchus is a passage that allows air flow into
lungs. Left bronchus, which is shorter than the
right one, further divides into 2 lobar bronchi;
right bronchus on the other hand is divided into 3
lobar bronchi
 Lungs
The lungs are a pair of conical organs present in pleural
cavities; both the lungs together form an important part
of the human respiratory system. Left lung is divided
into 2 lobes (superior and inferior) while the right one in
3 (superior, inferior and middle). Each lung has a
median slit and hilus.
 Pharynx
The pharynx is a body part common to both

respiratory and digestive systems. It is located

behind the nasal and oral cavities. The different
parts of pharynx are nasopharynx, oropharynx and
laryngopharynx. Pharynx is connected to skull
cavity by means of connective tissues and muscles.
 Epiglottis
Composed of cartilaginous tissue, the epiglottis is

located at the opening of larynx i.e. at the back of

our tongue; it is covered by mucous. Since
epiglottis can get abraded easily, (as it lies in the
digestive tract) its surface is covered with
protective, non-keratinized and stratified
squamous epithelial cells.
 Alveoli
The alveoli are sac-shaped bodies present inside

the lungs. These grape-like bodies are found only

in lungs of mammals and present at the end of
alveolar ducts. The alveoli functions as an interface
for exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
between the lungs and capillaries that connect
with rest of the body.
 Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a part of respiratory system
which plays an important role in breathing.
Contraction of muscles of diaphragm results into
expansion of thoracic cavity; this contraction of
diaphragm is important from the point of
expansion of lungs during inhalation.
 of human respiratory
system
Air enters the nostrils
passes through the nasopharynx,
the oral pharynx
through the glottis
into the trachea
into the right and left bronchi, which branches and
rebranches into
bronchioles, each of which terminates in a cluster of
Alveoli
Picture of respiratory process