hengitysväylän

Hengitysväylä refers to the anatomical structures responsible for the passage of air into and out of the lungs. This system begins with the external airways and extends to the microscopic air sacs within the lungs. The initial part of the respiratory tract includes the nasal cavity and pharynx, which warm, humidify, and filter inhaled air. Following this is the larynx, commonly known as the voice box, which also plays a crucial role in protecting the lower airways from foreign objects.

The air then travels down the trachea, or windpipe, a cartilaginous tube that bifurcates into two main bronchi. These bronchi further subdivide into smaller bronchioles, which eventually lead to the alveoli. The alveoli are tiny, thin-walled air sacs where the vital exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place with the bloodstream. The entire respiratory passageway is lined with mucus-producing cells and cilia, microscopic hair-like structures that trap and move mucus and debris away from the lungs, thus maintaining airway patency and preventing infection. The proper functioning of the entire respiratory tract is essential for sustaining life by ensuring adequate oxygen supply to the body's tissues and removing metabolic waste in the form of carbon dioxide. Any obstruction or damage to these structures can significantly impair breathing and lead to various respiratory conditions.