THE CARDIO RESPITORY SYSTEM The respitory system The function of the respiratory system is to supply the body with oxygen and dispose of the waste product carbon dioxide. This takes place when we breathe the process of breathing air in is called inspiration, expiration (breathing out). As inspiration takes place oxygen enters the body via the mouth and nose, the nasal cavity warms the air during its passage, the nerve endings which are located in the roof of the nose pick up the different odours we smell. Oxygen then begins the journey to the lungs, entering the upper respiratory tract which consists of. Pharynx: The throat, a cone shape cavity in the back of the mouth, prevents the passage of food entering the windpipe. Larynx: the voice box an organ containing the vocal cords that produces sound. Trachea: Windpipe contains rings of cartilage, its lining cleans inspired air the dust and bacteria become trapped in the mucus secretion and are transported away from the lungs. (medical terminology 2004) When the air has passed the trachea it then enters the bronchi, the bronchi divides into each lung transporting the inhaled air to the entire area of both lungs. This is achieved as the bronchi branches out to smaller and again into bronchioles, the bronchioles then branch to the alveolar ducts and finally to the alveoli, the alveoli are microscopic air bags which deliver a supply of oxygen to the blood and take carbon dioxide from the blood this procedure is called gaseous exchange. (m.terminology 2004) (Anang) Gaseous exchange When oxygen has reached the alveoli its ready to supply the blood with oxygen, the alveoli sits against the capillaries where the deoxygenated blood has been picked up from tissue around the body and carried away from the heart via the pulmonary artery to be then transported to the lungs. The alveoli and capillaries both have thin cell walls allowing diffusion to take place, the oxygen attaches its self...