The Pathway of Air from the Nostrils to the Alveoli in the Fetal Pig

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The Pathway of Air from the Nostrils to the Alveoli in the Fetal Pig

The nasal passages are separated from each other bt the nasal septum. The curved

turbinate bones in the sinus area increase the surface area of the passageways, creating

eddy currents that , along with hairs, cilia and mucus, help remove dust in the inhaled air

and humidify it.

Air enters the nasopharynx from the posterior end of the nasal passages, then

passes into the pharynx, through the glottis, and into the larynx and ultimately the trachea.

Air then passes through the voice box and over the vocal cords which vibrate when air

passes over them.

The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that seperates the abdonimal cavity from the

thoracic cavity. The thoracic cavity is divided into three areas by membranes: The right

and left pleural cavities, which surround the lungs, and the pericardial cavity where the

heart is located.

The trachea, when it enters the thorax, divides into two bronchi. These bronchi

divide into progressively smaller bronchioles. which finally end in micrscopic air sacs

called alveoli. In these air sacs, oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the

blood and the inhaled air.

25-4 Describe how the diaphragm and rib cage function in moving air into and out

of a mammal's lungs.

Air enters the lungs as a result of the combined effects of the contraction of the

diaphragm and 3 sets of muscle: sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis minor and intercostal.

When these muscles contract, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases as the rib cage

elevates and the diaphragm depresses, causing the air pressure in the cavity to decrease.

Air rushes in through the respiratory passageways and expands the alveol...

... middle of paper ...

...rm progressively larger veins.

Ultimately, the veins converge into two large veins: the inferior vena cava, bringing blood

from the lower half of the body; and the superior vena cava, bringing blood from the upper

half. Both of these two large veins join at the right atrium of the heart.

Because the pressure is dissipated in the arterioles and capillaries, blood in veins

flows back to the heart at very low pressure, often running uphill when a person is

standing. Flow against gravity is made possible by the one-way valves, located several

centimeters apart, in the veins. When surrounding muscles contract, for example in the calf

or arm, the muscles squeeze blood back toward the heart. If the one-way valves work

properly, blood travels only toward the heart and cannot lapse backward. The precapillary

sphincter controls whether blood enters a capillary.

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