Revision/Preparation guidance

6. Respiratory system

The lungs

The lungs are situated in the thoracic cavity and are usually thought of as 2 spongey structures for absorbing oxygen. However each lung is actually divided into several lobes by fissures.

uses 3D computer modelling to explain the position of these lobes and fissures, and their relative boney anatomy. 

Watch this short (3 min) dissection of a bronchial tree to check your understanding of the pathway gasses passes into and out of the deep tissues of the lungs.

  

Inspiration/expiration

For  blood to become oxygenated, the lungs must first extract the oxygen from the air in the environment. This is achieved by ventilation, specifically; inspiration ( breathing in ).  

This video provides a good visual explanation of the mechanics of ventilation.

Once you are happy with your understanding of ventilation, have a go at this short sentence ordering activity to check it. 

Additional challenge: can you name the bones the diaphragm and intercostal muscles attach to, and more specifically where on the bones they attach?