Respiratory System
Below is a diagram of a cat's respiratory system, similar to that of every small mammal (skunk)
![Picture](/uploads/1/7/9/4/17942031/4214229.jpeg)
The Respiratory System consists of the organs that help to breathe. Respiration also known as breathing is the process which delivers oxygen from the external atmosphere to the body and removes the carbon dioxide from the body and expels out.
Main Components of the Respiratory System:
The Nose (nostrils): involved in air intake
The tiny hairs called cilia filters out dust and other particles present in the air and protects the nasal passage and other regions of the respiratory tract.Trachea: The trachea is also known as windpipe. The trachea filters the air we inhale and branches into the bronchi.
Bronchi: The bronchi are the two air tubes that branch off from the trachea and carry atmospheric air directly into the lungs.
Lungs: Lungs are the site in body where oxygen is taken into and carbon dioxide is expelled out.
Alveolus: Alveolus is the tiny sac like structure present in the lungs which the gaseous exchange takes place.
Diaphragm: Breathing begins with a dome-shaped muscle located at the bottom of the lungs which is known as diaphragm. When we breathe in the diaphragm contracts and flatten out and pull downward.
In mammals, the diaphragm divides the body cavity into the
Main Components of the Respiratory System:
The Nose (nostrils): involved in air intake
The tiny hairs called cilia filters out dust and other particles present in the air and protects the nasal passage and other regions of the respiratory tract.Trachea: The trachea is also known as windpipe. The trachea filters the air we inhale and branches into the bronchi.
Bronchi: The bronchi are the two air tubes that branch off from the trachea and carry atmospheric air directly into the lungs.
Lungs: Lungs are the site in body where oxygen is taken into and carbon dioxide is expelled out.
Alveolus: Alveolus is the tiny sac like structure present in the lungs which the gaseous exchange takes place.
Diaphragm: Breathing begins with a dome-shaped muscle located at the bottom of the lungs which is known as diaphragm. When we breathe in the diaphragm contracts and flatten out and pull downward.
In mammals, the diaphragm divides the body cavity into the
- abdominal cavity, which contains the viscera (e.g., stomach and intestines) and the
- thoracic cavity, which contains the heart and lungs.