Question

Compare and contrast the upper and lower respiratory system. List the components of each.

Note: Please write or type all answers in a way that is understandable and legible. hank you for taking the time to answer my question!

Answer 1

Ans: Generally respiratory system or tract is divided into two parts:

Upper Respiratory Tract: This includes all the part from the nose, the pharynx, and the larynx (Vocal Cord are the folds of mucous membrane within larynx that produce the voice due to vibration), the organs of the upper respiratory tract are located outside the chest cavity.

1. Nasal cavity: It is a large air filled space inside the nose, the sticky mucous membrane lining the nasal cavity traps dust particles and microrganisms and the tiny hairs ( cilia) help move them to the nose to be sneezed or left out. The nasal septum divides the cavity into two cavities called as fossae.

2. Sinuses: These air-filled spaces facing the nose help make the skull lighter. The paranasal sinuses are air-filled extensions of the nasal cavity. There are four paired sinuses –– maxillary, frontal, sphenoid and ethmoid (named according to the bone in which they are placed). Each sinus is lined by a ciliated pseudostratified epithelium membrane, interspersed with mucus-secreting goblet cell

3. Pharynx: Both food and air pass through the pharynx before reaching down to the stomach and the lungs. The pharynx also plays a significant role in speech.

4. Larynx: The larynx (Voice box) is essential to human speech and breathing.

Lower Respiratory Tract: It includes the trachea, the lungs, and all bronchial tree (including the alveoli), the organs of the lower respiratory tract are located inside the chest cavity.

1. Trachea: Cartilaginous tube located just below the larynx, the trachea is the main airway to the lungs, also known as wind pipe. It connects larynx to the bronchi of the lungs.

2. Lungs: A pair of spongy air filled organs form one of the body’s largest organs. They’re responsible for providing oxygen to capillaries and exhaling carbon dioxide. Located either side of the thorax (Chest).

3. Bronchi: These are the tract in which air passes through the trachea into each lung and create the network of intricate passages that supply the lungs with air. after that the air reaches to small air sacs structure called as alveoli, that allow for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs.

4. Diaphragm: The diaphragm is the chief respiratory muscle that contracts and relaxes to enable air into the lungs. Movement of diaphragm help in the increase of vertical diameter of thoracic cage.