Hello everyone! Below, you’ll find an attached image of my Activity 7 – The Respiratory System.

Respiratory System: The exchange of gases between the body and its surroundings is facilitated by the respiratory system, a sophisticated network of organs and tissues. Before entering the pharynx and larynx, incoming air is first filtered, heated, and humidified in the nasal cavity. Air is carried by the trachea, which is held up by cartilage rings, to the bronchi, which divide into smaller bronchioles and end in alveoli in the lungs. Here, gas exchange takes place, removing carbon dioxide and allowing oxygen to permeate into the bloodstream. Millions of alveoli are housed in the paired organs that make up the lungs, which are vital to this process. The diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle that facilitates breathing by contracting during inhale and relaxing during exhalation, supports the respiratory system. All of these elements work together to keep the pH level balanced, release carbon dioxide, support overall health and homeostasis, and guarantee that the body gets the oxygen it needs for cellular respiration.

1. Bronchiole Cross-Section (c.s.): Small airways called bronchioles emerge from the bronchi and go towards the lungs’ alveoli. A bronchiole’s cross-section reveals a structure lined with straightforward columnar or cuboidal epithelium. The bronchiole is surrounded by smooth muscle fibers, which permit dilatation or constriction to control airflow. In addition, bronchioles are different from bigger airways such as the bronchi in that they do not have cartilage rings. The route that air takes to get to the alveoli in the lungs for gas exchange is seen in the bronchiole cross-section.

2. Larynx: The vocal cords are housed in the larynx, commonly referred to as the voice box, which is a structure in the throat that acts as the opening to the trachea. The larynx is made up of muscles, cartilage, and mucous membranes histologically. Stretched across the larynx, the vocal cords are made of elastic tissue that vibrates when air flows over it, creating sound. The epiglottis, one of the structures found in the larynx, aids in preventing liquid and food from entering the trachea during swallowing.

3. Human Lung Cross-Section (c.s.): Gas exchange is carried out by a pair of organs called the lungs. Millions of alveoli, blood arteries, and branching bronchial passageways can all be seen in a cross-section of a human lung. Alveoli are microscopic air sacs where carbon dioxide is expelled from the body and oxygen from the air is diffused into the bloodstream. Capillaries encircle the alveoli, aiding in the gas exchange between the blood and the atmosphere. The complex anatomy of the lung, which is geared toward effective gas exchange and respiratory function, is clearly visible in the cross-section.

4. Trachea Mammal Cross-Section (c.s.): The flexible tube that joins the larynx to the bronchi, called the trachea or windpipe, is made of cartilage rings. Hyaline cartilage rings can be seen in a cross-section of a mammalian trachea; these rings support and keep the airway from collapsing. Layers of mucous membranes, smooth muscle, and connective tissue are also present in the tracheal wall. Cilia found in mucous membranes aid in capturing and eliminating germs and debris from the airways. The cross-section of the trachea reveals the structure that is designed to protect and support the lungs while carrying air to and from them.

REFERENCES:

Cheng J, Bell D, Foster T, et al. Bronchioles. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 29 May 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-54018

Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Respiratory system. Better Health Channel. Retrieved May 29, 2024, from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/respiratory-system#:~:text=The%20respiratory%20system%20takes%20up,diaphragm%20and%20the%20intercostal%20muscles).

Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Lungs. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved May 29, 2024, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/8960-lungs