Airway
Encyclopedia
The pulmonary airway comprises those parts of the respiratory system
through which air flows, conceptually beginning (on inhalation from the external environment) at the nose and mouth, and terminating in the alveoli. It is generally used synonymously with respiratory tract
, to avoid sounding overly scientific.
From the mouth or nose, inhaled air passes through the pharynx
into the trachea
, where it separates into the left and right main bronchi at the carina, situated at the level of the second thoracic vertebra. The main bronchi then branch into large bronchioles, one for each lobe
of the lung
. Within the lobes, the bronchioles further subdivide some twenty times, ending in clusters of alveoli.
The epithelial
surfaces of the airway contain cilia. Inhaled particles adhere to mucus
secreted by goblet cell
s, which is continuously driven outwards by the cilia. The epithelium of the airway also secretes a watery fluid upon which the mucus can ride freely. The production of this fluid is impaired by the disease cystic fibrosis
. Macrophages in the airways help promote prophylaxis and prevent infection and contamination, by engulfing bacteria
and other inhaled particles.
Certain conditions require tracheal intubation (insertion of a tube) to secure the patency (openness) of the airway. Airway devices are used to assist in tracheal intubation
.
Respiratory system
The respiratory system is the anatomical system of an organism that introduces respiratory gases to the interior and performs gas exchange. In humans and other mammals, the anatomical features of the respiratory system include airways, lungs, and the respiratory muscles...
through which air flows, conceptually beginning (on inhalation from the external environment) at the nose and mouth, and terminating in the alveoli. It is generally used synonymously with respiratory tract
Respiratory tract
In humans the respiratory tract is the part of the anatomy involved with the process of respiration.The respiratory tract is divided into 3 segments:*Upper respiratory tract: nose and nasal passages, paranasal sinuses, and throat or pharynx...
, to avoid sounding overly scientific.
From the mouth or nose, inhaled air passes through the pharynx
Pharynx
The human pharynx is the part of the throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity, and anterior to the esophagus and larynx. The human pharynx is conventionally divided into three sections: the nasopharynx , the oropharynx , and the laryngopharynx...
into the trachea
Vertebrate trachea
In tetrapod anatomy the trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that connects the pharynx or larynx to the lungs, allowing the passage of air. It is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium cells with goblet cells that produce mucus...
, where it separates into the left and right main bronchi at the carina, situated at the level of the second thoracic vertebra. The main bronchi then branch into large bronchioles, one for each lobe
Lobe (anatomy)
In anatomy, a lobe is a clear anatomical division or extension that can be determined without the use of a microscope This is in contrast to a lobule, which is a clear division only visible histologically....
of the lung
Lung
The lung is the essential respiration organ in many air-breathing animals, including most tetrapods, a few fish and a few snails. In mammals and the more complex life forms, the two lungs are located near the backbone on either side of the heart...
. Within the lobes, the bronchioles further subdivide some twenty times, ending in clusters of alveoli.
The epithelial
Epithelium
Epithelium is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue. Epithelial tissues line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body, and also form many glands. Functions of epithelial cells include secretion, selective...
surfaces of the airway contain cilia. Inhaled particles adhere to mucus
Mucus
In vertebrates, mucus is a slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. Mucous fluid is typically produced from mucous cells found in mucous glands. Mucous cells secrete products that are rich in glycoproteins and water. Mucous fluid may also originate from mixed glands, which...
secreted by goblet cell
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
s, which is continuously driven outwards by the cilia. The epithelium of the airway also secretes a watery fluid upon which the mucus can ride freely. The production of this fluid is impaired by the disease cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease affecting most critically the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver, and intestine...
. Macrophages in the airways help promote prophylaxis and prevent infection and contamination, by engulfing bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
and other inhaled particles.
Certain conditions require tracheal intubation (insertion of a tube) to secure the patency (openness) of the airway. Airway devices are used to assist in tracheal intubation
Tracheal intubation
Tracheal intubation, usually simply referred to as intubation, is the placement of a flexible plastic or rubber tube into the trachea to maintain an open airway or to serve as a conduit through which to administer certain drugs...
.
External links
- The Virtual Airway Device, a free resource about airway devices, including a video library