Friday, 22 February 2013

2.44 describe the structure of the thorax, including the ribs, intercostal muscles, diaphragm, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli and pleural membranes

Once air is breathed in through the mouth or nose it travels down the trachea. The trachea splits into two- one going into the left lung and one going into the right lung- these pipes are called bronchi. Each bronchus will then divide further into many bronchioles: each ending in a sac called an alveoli.

The trachea and bronchi have walls of muscle that are supported by cartilage. The cartilage is in partial rings so that the tubes can be moved in any direction. Cilia on the walls move mucus out of the breathing system and into the stomach.

wikibooks

17 comments:

  1. Hi,

    isn't this asking for the structure, not the process?

    thanks

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    Replies
    1. Ah yeah sorry, got a bit mixed up with the titles ;P cheers :)

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    2. you're still going to need to know it

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  2. I beg you don't lie to me girl

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  3. Ribs - Curved bones that embrace the lungs, protect them from fatal blows which may damage the lungs

    Intercostal muscles - the muscles located in-between the ribs to keep the ribs in place and move the ribs when inhaling or exhaling

    Diaphragm - Forms the floor of the thorax, skeletal muscle. When you exhale the diaphragm pushes up onto the lungs to help exhale and vice versa for inhaling

    Trachea - This is the separated portion of the throat where air passes through into your lungs

    Bronchi -The separation of the bronchus, one main branch in each lung

    Bronchioles - further division of the bronchus, contains alveoli at the tips of the bronchiole where gas exchange occurs

    Alveoli - Air sacks in which the gas exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen take place

    Pleural Membrane - outer lining of the lung, its spongy and makes a slippery fluid so that there is reduced friction when rubbings against the ribs

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  4. Thank you so much for doing this blog, it has made my revision process so much easier having the entire curriculum in one place! :)

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  5. The cartilage isnt a complete ring as behind it is the oesophagus so when food travels down the oesophagus it doesn't get caught in the cartilage allowing a smoother movement of food via peristalsis down the oesophagus

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  7. *bronchi- separation of the trachea

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  8. Is the thorax the whole system ?

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    Replies
    1. it's the whole general upper-body area right front the voice box to the diaphragm

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  9. The Biology Syllabus has changed.... New Syllabus Blog:

    http://igcse-biology-2017.blogspot.hk

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  10. more at

    http://igcse-biology-notes.blogspot.hk/2017/06/244-describe-structure-of-thorax.html

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