Human Anatomy and Physiology - N. I. Fedyukovich 2003

Respiratory System

The Respiratory system comprises Organs that perform conducting (Oral Cavity, nasopharynx, Larynx, Trachea, and Bronchi) and respiratory, or gas-exchange (Lungs), Functions.

The primary function of the respiratory organs is to facilitate gas exchange between the air and the Blood via the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide across the walls of the pulmonary alveoli into the blood capillaries. Additionally, the respiratory organs play a role in vocalization, Olfaction, The production of certain hormone-like substances, lipid and Water-Salt METABOLISM, and the Maintenance of the body's immune system.

The airways facilitate the filtration, humidification, and warming of inhaled air, as well as the perception of odors, thermal, and mechanical stimuli.

A characteristic structural feature of the airways is the presence of a cartilaginous framework within their walls, which prevents them from collapsing. The inner surface of the airways is lined with a mucous membrane covered by ciliated epithelium and contains A large number of mucus-secreting glands. The cilia of the epithelial Cells, beating upward, expel foreign bodies along with the mucus.



Last update: 08/08/2026

Editorial and Educational Adaptation: This material has been compiled based on the primary/original source text. The project team performed an editorial review, corrected technical inaccuracies, structured sections, and adapted the content for an educational format.

What was processed:

  • elimination of formatting defects (OCR errors, structural breaks, corrupted characters);
  • editorial organization of content;
  • standardization of terminology in accordance with academic sources;
  • verification of factual statements against the original source text.

All mentions of the author, publication year, and origin of the primary text have been preserved in accordance with the source.