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Upper respiratory Tract
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Comprised of structures located outside of the chest cavity: the air passages of the nose, nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, and upper trachea.
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Lower respiratory Tract
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Comprised of structures located within the chest cavity: the lower trachea and the lungs, as well as the bronchial tubes and alveoli.
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Nose
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Consists of bone and cartilage. Entry and exit for air.
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Pharynx
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The throat, functions as an air passage.
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Nasopharynx
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Located behind the nasal cavities and is above the soft palate.
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Uvula
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Part of the soft palate, located at the back of the throat. During swallowing, the soft palate and this close off the nosopharynx to prevent food from entering the nasal cavity.
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Pharyngeal tonsils (adnoids)
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Masses of lymphoid tissue found on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
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Oropharynx
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Lies behind the oral cavity, food and air passageway.
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Palatine tonsils
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Located behind the oropharnx. Are what we call tonsils. Function with the adnoids to protect from pathogens.
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Laryngopharynx
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A food and air passageway. Muscular contraction of oropharynx and laryngopharynx is part of the swallowing reflex.
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Soft Palate
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Functions with uvula to keep food from entering the nasal passage when swallowing.
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Larynx
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Voice box, is responsible for sound production. Functions as an airpassageway between the pharynx and trachea. Made of firm flexible tissue, comprised of nine pieces of cartilage connected with ligaments.
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Trachea
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Air passageway to the bronchi, also known as the windpipe.
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Thyroid cartilage
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The Adam's apple, largest of the individual cartilages.
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Epiglottis
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Uppermost cartilage and it closes over the top of the larynx during swallowing to prevent food entry into the airway.
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