The respiratory system is divided into two main areas: the upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract. These two areas work together to facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.
The upper respiratory tract is responsible for the initial passage of air into the body and includes the following parts:
- Nose
- Nasal cavity
- Sinuses
- Throat (pharynx)
- Voice box (larynx)
- Windpipe (trachea)
The lower respiratory tract is responsible for the exchange of gases in the lungs and includes the following parts:
- Lungs
- Bronchi (tubes that branch off from the trachea and lead to the lungs)
- Bronchioles (smaller tubes that branch off from the bronchi)
- Air sacs (alveoli) (tiny, thin-walled sacs where gas exchange occurs)
In addition to these main parts, the respiratory system also includes the following structures:
- Diaphragm (a dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity and plays a crucial role in breathing)
- Capillaries (tiny blood vessels that surround the alveoli and facilitate the exchange of gases between the lungs and the bloodstream).
