Chapter 17 - Respiratory System
The respiratory system is responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. It can be divided functionally into two regions:
- Conducting portion - conveys air to the lungs while removing debris, warming, and humidifying the air (nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles)
- Respiratory portion - where the exchange of gases between air and blood occurs (respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli)
Lung
The adult lungs are sponge-like organs. The main function of the lungs is to provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from blood.
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Respiratory Epithelium
Respiratory epithelium is a pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells that covers most regions of the conducting portion.
