DY SYS TE MS
THE BO
THE HUMAN
RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
LET’ S IMAG I NE
Imagine you’re a tiny oxygen molecule
taking a thrilling journey through the
human body. Where would you start, and
how would you navigate your way to the
ultimate destination—the alveoli?
B J E C T I V E S
L E S SO N O
Identify the key organs of Explain how oxygen enters Describe the process of
the respiratory system, the body, travels through gas exchange: the
including the nose, the respiratory system, movement of oxygen and
pharynx, trachea, bronchi, and reaches the alveoli for carbon dioxide between
lungs, and diaphragm. gas exchange. the alveoli and the
bloodstream.
LE T’ S DI SCUS S
RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
The respiratory system consists of a set of organs
and tissues involved in the uptake of oxygen from
the atmosphere and the release of carbon dioxide
generated during aerobic respiration.
This gas exchange is also called breathing, or
external respiration. It plays a crucial role in
maintaining our body’s oxygen supply and removing
waste gases.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
NOSE AND
NASAL CAVITY
The nose serves as the primary entry
point for air. Inside the nose, we find
the nasal cavity, which filters
incoming air, removing dust and
particles; warms and humidifies the
air before it reaches the lungs; and
contains olfactory receptors for our
sense of smell.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
MOUTH AND
ORAL CAVITY
The mouth can also serve as an alternate
entry point for air. The oral cavity plays a
minor role in respiration but is essential for
speech and swallowing.
If the nasal passages are blocked,
breathing through the mouth becomes
essential.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
PHARYNX
(THROAT)
The pharynx connects the nasal cavity and
mouth to the trachea. It serves as a
common pathway for both air and food.
The epiglottis, a flap-like structure in the
pharynx, prevents food from entering the
trachea during swallowing.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
LARYNX
(VOICE BOX)
The larynx is a tough, flexible segment of
the respiratory tract that connects the
pharynx (the back of the nose and throat) to
the trachea (windpipe).
It allows air to pass through it while
preventing food and drink from blocking the
airway.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
TRACHEA
(WINDPIPE)
The trachea is a wide, hollow tube that
connects the larynx to the bronchi
(airways) of the lungs. Its primary
function is to enable airflow to and from
the lungs. This preparation ensures that
the air entering the lungs is at an optimal
temperature and humidity level for
efficient gas exchange.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
BRONCHI
The bronchi are the main airways into the
lungs. When you breathe, air enters your body
through your mouth or nose and passes
through the larynx and trachea. The trachea
branches into a bronchus in each lung.
The bronchi are equipped with tiny, hair-like
structures called cilia. Cilia help move mucus
out of your lungs, keeping the bronchi clean
and healthy.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
BRONCHIOLES
Bronchioles are small, branching air
passages inside the lungs. They serve as
conduits for air, connecting the larger
bronchi to the alveoli
Alveoli are where gas exchange occurs:
oxygen enters the bloodstream, and carbon
dioxide is removed during exhalation.
Bronchioles deliver air to a diffuse network
of approximately 300 million alveoli.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
ALVIOLI
Alveoli are tiny, air sacs located at the end
of the bronchioles. These structures play a
crucial role in gas exchange during
breathing.
In the alveolus, oxygen molecules move
through a single layer of lung cells, entering
the bloodstream. Simultaneously, carbon
dioxide (CO₂) molecules pass from the
bloodstream into the alveolus.
OXYG E N T RAV E L
This flowchart simplifies a complex process that captures the essential steps
involved in oxygen transport and gas exchange within the respiratory system.
Air enters through the nose or The bronchi divide into smaller
mouth. It passes through the bronchioles. These bronchioles
pharynx and larynx. The lead to clusters of alveoli in the
trachea carries air down into lungs.
the bronchi.
The diaphragm relaxes, In the alveoli, oxygen diffuses
pushing air out of the lungs. Air into the bloodstream. Carbon
exits through the trachea, dioxide diffuses out of the
larynx, and either the nose or bloodstream into the alveoli.
mouth.
LET’ S DI SCUS S
GAS EXCHANGE
• During external respiration, oxygen-rich air enters
the alveoli during inhalation.
• Oxygen molecules diffuse across the thin alveolar
walls into the bloodstream, where they bind to
hemoglobin in red blood cells.
• Simultaneously, carbon dioxide (produced by
cellular metabolism) diffuses from the blood into
the alveoli.
• During internal respiration, oxygen is delivered to
body tissues, and carbon dioxide is removed from
the tissues and transported back to the lungs for
exhalation.
Simultaneously, carbon During external respiration,
dioxide (produced by oxygen-rich air enters the
cellular metabolism) diffuses alveoli during inhalation.
from the blood into the
alveoli.
Oxygen molecules
diffuse across the thin
During internal
alveolar walls into the
respiration, oxygen is
bloodstream, where
delivered to body
they bind to
tissues, and carbon
hemoglobin in red
dioxide is removed
blood cells.
from the tissues and
transported back to
the lungs for
exhalation.
