NAME : TOMPSON NECASIO MUTONDORO

REG NUMBER. : H240514T

LECTURER : DR SANYAMANDWE

SCHOOL : ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT : PHARMACY (HSPT)

COURSE : HUMAN ANATOMY

SEMESTER : 1.1

Question
With the aid of relevant diagrams discuss how the respiratory system is adapted for function
The respiratory system is vital for gas exchange, playing a crucial role in supplying oxygen to
the body while removing carbon dioxide. Its intricate structure and processes have evolved to
optimize this function. Below is a discussion on the adaptation of the respiratory system to its
function (Keszler et al., 2012).

Nasal cavity

Function

The nasal cavity is lined with specialized mucous membranes containing goblet cells that
produce mucus and ciliated epithelial cells. The vascularized structure warms incoming air,
while the mucous layer traps particles.

Adaptations

Mucous Membranes, the thick mucus layer traps dust, allergens, and pathogens, preventing them
from entering the lower respiratory tract. Cilia which are tiny hair-like structures that line the
nasal passages sweep mucus and trapped particles towards the throat, aiding in the expulsion of
contaminants. The nasal cavity also contains olfactory receptors, contributing to the sense of
smell (Elgazzar 2014)

Pharynx and Larynx

Function
The pharynx functions as a shared pathway for air and food, while the larynx protects the trachea
against aspiration. Additionally, the larynx plays a critical role in phonation, allowing for sound
production through the vibration of the vocal cords. The epiglottis ensures that food does not
enter the trachea during swallowing.

Trachea

Structure
The trachea, or windpipe, is a rigid tube composed of C-shaped cartilage rings that provide
structural support. The inner lining features a mucous membrane with ciliated epithelium.

Adaptation
The trachea ensures an open airway, conducting air to the bronchi. The C-shaped cartilage
prevents collapse during inhalation, while the ciliated lining continues to filter and move mucus
upwards towards the throat, facilitating clearance of particles. The mucus and cilia lining these
passages continue to trap and move particles out, ensuring that air reaching the alveoli is clean
and free from pathogens (Pokorski, 2017).

Bronchi and Bronchioles

Structure
The trachea bifurcates into the left and right primary bronchi, which further branch into
secondary and tertiary bronchi, eventually leading to bronchioles. The bronchi have cartilage
plates and are lined with smooth muscle, while bronchioles are primarily composed of smooth
muscle and lack cartilage.

Function
This branching structure significantly increases the surface area available for gas exchange. The
smooth muscle in the bronchioles allows for regulation of airflow, enabling bronchodilation and
bronchoconstriction, which helps control air distribution within the lungs (Gilbert-Barness et al.,
2013).

Lungs
Structure

The lungs are divided into lobes (three on the right, two on the left) and are enveloped by the
pleura, a double-layered membrane that reduces friction during breathing.

Function:
They serve as the main organ for gas exchange, accommodating the alveoli where oxygen and
carbon dioxide exchange occurs. The lungs contain elastic fibres that allow them to expand and
recoil efficiently, facilitating inhalation and exhalation. Alveolar cells produce surfactant, which
reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse, ensuring stable gas exchange (Jones et
al., 2018). The lung lobes are further divided into lobules, each containing alveoli, contributing
to efficient gas exchange.

Alveoli

Structure
Alveoli are tiny, sac-like structures at the ends of bronchioles, with a vast number
(approximately 300 million in healthy lungs) providing a massive surface area. Each alveolus is
lined with a surfactant, a substance that reduces surface tension.

Function and adaptation

They are the primary site of gas exchange, where oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon
dioxide diffuses out. Alveolar walls are only one cell thick, allowing for rapid diffusion of gases.
Surrounding each alveolus is a dense network of capillaries, maximizing the surface area for gas
exchange and facilitating efficient transport of oxygen into the bloodstream. The surfactant
prevents alveolar collapse, ensuring that gas exchange can occur efficiently even during the
respiratory cycle.

Respiratory Muscles
Diaphragm and Intercostal Muscles

Function
These muscles are essential for the mechanics of breathing, enabling air to flow in and out of the
lungs.
Adaptations

Diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that, when contracted, flattens to increase thoracic volume,
creating negative pressure that draws air in. Intercostal Muscles are located between the ribs,
these muscles contract to elevate the rib cage during inhalation, further expanding the thoracic
cavity.
References
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