The Respiratory System

Front

Path of Air Noun

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[path uv air]

Back

Path of Air

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The specific route air follows from the nose and mouth, through the pharynx, larynx, and trachea, into the lungs.

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Example: This diagram shows the path of air during breathing, illustrating how it enters the lungs during inhalation and exits the body during exhalation.

Front

Cilia Noun

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[sil-ee-uh]

Back

Cilia

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Small, hair-like structures inside the nasal cavity that protect the body by filtering debris and moving mucus.

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Example: This diagram shows a magnified view of cilia, the tiny hairs in the respiratory system that work with mucus to trap and move out dust and germs.

Front

Pharynx Noun

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[far-inks]

Back

Pharynx

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The part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity, serving as a shared passageway for air and food.

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Example: This diagram shows the pharynx, the part of the throat that connects the nasal cavity to the larynx, serving as a passageway for air.

Front

Epiglottis Noun

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[ep-i-glot-is]

Back

Epiglottis

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A flap of cartilage at the root of the tongue that covers the windpipe opening during swallowing to prevent choking.

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Example: This diagram shows the epiglottis, a flap of tissue located in the throat, which is essential for the respiratory system as it prevents food from entering the windpipe.

Front

Larynx Noun

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[lar-inks]

Back

Larynx

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A short section of cartilage connecting the pharynx to the trachea, which houses the vocal cords and functions as the voice box.

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Example: This diagram shows the larynx, or voice box, as the part of the throat that connects the upper airway (nasal and oral cavities) to the trachea.

Front

Vocal Cords Noun

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[voh-kuhl kordz]

Back

Vocal Cords

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Elastic folds of tissue located within the larynx that vibrate to produce sound when air passes over them.

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Example: This diagram shows a top-down view of the vocal cords, which are located at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and vibrate to produce sound.

Front

Trachea Noun

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[tray-kee-uh]

Back

Trachea

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A rigid tube, also known as the windpipe, reinforced by cartilage rings that conveys air to and from the lungs.

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Example: This diagram shows the trachea, or windpipe, as the main tube that carries air from the larynx down into the lungs.

Front

Bronchi Noun

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[brong-kai]

Back

Bronchi

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The two main branches that diverge from the bottom of the trachea, serving as the primary passageways for air into the lungs.

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Example: This diagram shows the trachea (windpipe) splitting into two main bronchi, which then branch into smaller secondary and tertiary bronchi inside the lungs.

Front

Bronchioles Noun

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[brong-kee-ohlz]

Back

Bronchioles

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The finer subdivisions of the bronchi that branch out into the lungs, ending in clusters of tiny air sacs.

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Example: This diagram shows how bronchioles are the smaller airways that branch off from the main bronchus inside the lungs, delivering air to the alveoli.

Front

Alveoli Noun

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[al-vee-oh-lai]

Back

Alveoli

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Tiny, thin-walled air sacs located at the end of the bronchioles where the exchange of gases with the blood occurs.

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Example: This diagram shows that alveoli are tiny air sacs where oxygen from inhaled air passes into the blood, and carbon dioxide from the blood passes out.