1. Nose and nasal cavity: The nose and nasal cavity filter, warm, and moisten the air as it enters the body. They also contain receptors for the sense of smell.
2. Pharynx: The pharynx is a passageway that connects the nose and mouth to the larynx (voice box) and esophagus (food pipe). It helps direct air to the correct pathway.
3. Larynx: The larynx houses the vocal cords, which vibrate to produce sound. It also helps direct air to the trachea and lungs.
4. Trachea: The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a tubular structure that carries air to and from the lungs. It is lined with mucus and cilia that trap and remove foreign particles.
5. Bronchi: The bronchi are two large tubes that branch off from the trachea and lead to the left and right lungs. They further divide into smaller bronchioles.
6. Lungs: The lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system responsible for gas exchange. Oxygen from the air is taken into the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide, a waste product, is expelled.
7. Bronchioles: Bronchioles are smaller branches of the bronchi that lead to tiny air sacs called alveoli in the lungs.
8. Alveoli: Alveoli are small, grape-like structures where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen passes from the air in the alveoli into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide moves from the bloodstream into the alveoli to be exhaled.
9. Diaphragm: The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle located below the lungs that helps regulate breathing. When it contracts, it flattens, increasing the volume of the chest cavity and drawing air into the lungs. When it relaxes, it returns to its dome shape, forcing air out of the lungs.
describe function of organs in respiratory system
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