Respiratory System Components

Nostrils

• Channel air into and out of the nasal cavity
• Responsible for airflow direction, humidification, heating, and filtering of air inhaled through the nose
• Filter, warm, and moisten air; produce mucus; resonance chamber for speech
• Located between the nostrils; divides the nasal cavity

Nasal septum

• Located between the nostrils; divides the nasal cavity
• Channel air into and out of the nasal cavity
• Responsible for airflow direction, humidification, heating, and filtering of air inhaled through the nose
• Filter, warm, and moisten air; produce mucus; resonance chamber for speech

Nasal cavity

• Filter, warm, and moisten air; produce mucus; resonance chamber for speech
• Located between the nostrils; divides the nasal cavity
• Channel air into and out of the nasal cavity
• Responsible for airflow direction, humidification, heating, and filtering of air inhaled through the nose

Nasal Conchae

• Responsible for airflow direction, humidification, heating, and filtering of air inhaled through the nose
• Filter, warm, and moisten air; produce mucus; resonance chamber for speech
• Located between the nostrils; divides the nasal cavity
• Channel air into and out of the nasal cavity

Nasopharynx

• Subdivision of the pharynx; passageway for air from the nasal cavity
• Subdivision of the pharynx; inferior to the pharynx; passageway that DIRECTS food and air
• Subdivision of the pharynx; passageway for food and air

Oropharynx

• Subdivision of the pharynx; passageway for food and air
• Subdivision of the pharynx; passageway for air from the nasal cavity
• Subdivision of the pharynx; inferior to the pharynx; passageway that DIRECTS food and air

Laryngopharynx

• Subdivision of the pharynx; inferior to the pharynx; passageway that DIRECTS food and air
• Subdivision of the pharynx; passageway for food and air
• Subdivision of the pharynx; passageway for air from the nasal cavity

Larynx

• Air passageway; prevents food from entering lower respiratory tract; voice production
• Primary air passageway to the lungs
• Serves to protect the vocal folds; attachment for several laryngeal muscles and ligaments involved in opening and closing the airway and in speech production

Thyroid and Cricoid Cartilage

• Serves to protect the vocal folds; attachment for several laryngeal muscles and ligaments involved in opening and closing the airway and in speech production
• Superior to the vocal folds; close glottis during swallowing; play no part in sound production
• Primary air passageway to the lungs
• Maintain the structure of the airway of the trachea

Epiglottis

• Prevent food from entering the lower respiratory system; covers the glottis
• Serves to protect the vocal folds; attachment for several laryngeal muscles and ligaments involved in opening and closing the airway and in speech production
• Superior to the vocal folds; close glottis during swallowing; play no part in sound production
• Primary air passageway to the lungs