Breathing Easy: A Journey Through the Respiratory System

Breathing Easy

A journey through the respiratory system

Introduction to the Respiratory System

• The respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.

• It consists of organs such as the nose, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

• The process of respiration involves inhalation and exhalation.

• During inhalation, oxygen is taken in, while during exhalation, carbon dioxide is expelled.

Multiple Choice

What is the main function of the respiratory system?

• Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

• Digestion of food

• Pumping blood throughout the body

• Regulating body temperature

Respiratory System:

Trivia: Did you know that the main function of the respiratory system is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide? This vital process occurs in the lungs, where oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is expelled. Without this exchange, our cells would not receive the oxygen they need to function properly.

Consists of the trachea, bronchial tree (bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli), lungs and the diaphragm

​Lower

Consists of the nasal cavity (nose), pharynx, and the larynx

​Upper

The Respiratory System

Categorize

Options (12)

Nasal Cavity

Pharynx

Larynx

Sinuses

Tonsils

Trachea

Epiglottis

Bronchi

Lungs

Alveoli

Diaphragm

Bronchioles

Organize these options into the right categories

Upper Respiratory Tract

Lower Respiratory Tract

Upper Respiratory Tract

nasal cavity (nose), pharynx, and the larynx

The main function of the nasal cavity is to humidify, warm, filter, and act as a pathway for inspired air.

​

The Nasal Cavity

The pharynx, more commonly known as the throat, serves both the respiratory and digestive systems by receiving air from the nasal cavity and air, food, and water from the oral cavity.

​

The Pharynx

Also known as the voice box, is a hollow tube that helps you make sound and helps you breathe by directing air to your trachea and lungs.

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The Larynx

Let's take a closer look at the upper respiratory tract

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuV0DhRXtoM

Match

Match the following

• Nasal Cavity

• Pharynx

• Larynx

• Nasal Cavity, Pharynx, Larynx

Warms and filters air

The throat, allows food and air to pass

Hollow tube for voice production

Upper Respiratory Tract

• Warms and filters air

• The throat, allows food and air to pass

• Hollow tube for voice production

• Upper Respiratory Tract

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Nasal Cavity

• Pharynx

• Epiglottis

• Larynx

• Trachea

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Lower Respiratory Tract

bronchial tree (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli), lungs and the diaphragm

The Bronchial Tree

• The bronchial tree is a network of tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs.

• It starts with the trachea, which branches into the bronchi, and then further divides into smaller bronchioles.

• The bronchial tree is lined with cilia (small hair-like structures) and mucus-producing cells.

• It plays a crucial role in the respiratory system by delivering oxygen to the lungs and removing carbon dioxide.

Open Ended

What is the purpose of the mucus along our respiratory system?

Filtering and Moistening

The bronchial tree plays a crucial role in filtering and moistening the air we breathe. It helps remove harmful particles and allergens, ensuring clean air reaches our lungs. Additionally, the bronchial tree adds moisture to the air, preventing our respiratory system from drying out.

Also known as your windpipe, the trachea is a long tube that connects your larynx to your bronchi - which send air into and out of your lungs. The trachea is made of rings of cartilage and is lined with cells that produce mucus.

​

Trachea

From the trachea, our respiratory system divides into the left and right bronchi.
The bronchi carry air into your lungs, and at the end of the bronchi, the bronchioles carry air to small sacs in your lungs called alveoli.

​

Bronchi and Bronchioles

Match

Match the following

• trachea

• bronchi

• bronchioles

a hollow tube, aka our windpipe

branches into left and right

carries the alveoli

• a hollow tube, aka our windpipe

• branches into left and right

• carries the alveoli

The alveoli are tiny sacs at the end of our respiratory system responsible for gas exchange. These balloon-like structures inflate when we inhale to take oxygen into the body. When we exhale, they deflate to expel carbon dioxide from the body.

​ *Notice what surrounds the alveoli: capillaries!

Alveoli

Our lungs contain approximately 2,400 kilometres of airways and 300 to 500 million air sacs (alveoli).

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Fast Fact

Multiple Choice

What is the main function of the capillaries along the alveoli?

• to produce mucus for the alveoli

• to transport nutrients to the alveoli

• to facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

• to regulate body temperature

Match

Match the following

• Alveoli

• Oxygen

• Carbon Dioxide

• Capillaries

Tiny air sacs in the lungs

Enters the bloodstream from the alveoli

Exits the bloodstream into the alveoli

Surround alveoli for efficient exchange

• Tiny air sacs in the lungs

• Enters the bloodstream from the alveoli

• Exits the bloodstream into the alveoli

• Surround alveoli for efficient exchange

The Lungs

• Structure: The lungs are paired, cone-shaped organs located in the chest cavity. They are made up of bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

• Function: The lungs are responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Oxygen is inhaled and transported to the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide is exhaled.

Multiple Choice

What is the main function of the lungs?

• Transporting oxygen to the bloodstream

• Exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide

• Producing red blood cells

• Filtering air

Lung Trivia

The lungs have a large surface area, about the size of a tennis court, to maximize gas exchange. Each day, an average person breathes in and out about 20,000 times.

Multiple Choice

Where does gas exchange occur in the lungs?

• Bronchi

• Trachea

• Alveoli

• Diaphragm

The Diaphragm

The major muscle of respiration

The Diaphragm

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs. It plays a crucial role in the process of breathing by contracting and relaxing.

• When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, allowing the lungs to expand and fill with air.

• When the diaphragm relaxes, it moves upward, pushing air out of the lungs.

Diaphragm: Contacting and Relaxing



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23-KAubf-js