hengitystienä

Hengitystienä refers to the passage through which air travels to and from the lungs. This system begins with the nasal cavity and oral cavity, where air is warmed, humidified, and filtered. From there, air passes through the pharynx, a shared passageway for both air and food, and then into the larynx, also known as the voice box. The larynx plays a crucial role in sound production and also contains the epiglottis, a flap of cartilage that prevents food from entering the trachea.

Following the larynx is the trachea, or windpipe, a cartilaginous tube that extends down into the chest. The trachea branches into two bronchi, one for each lung. These bronchi further subdivide into smaller and smaller tubes called bronchioles, which eventually lead to tiny air sacs called alveoli. It is within the alveoli that the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the bloodstream takes place. This intricate pathway ensures that the body receives the oxygen it needs to function and expels waste carbon dioxide. Any obstruction or inflammation within this passageway can significantly impair breathing and have serious health consequences.