åndedrætskanalen

Åndedrætskanalen, also known as the respiratory tract, is the passageway through which air travels to and from the lungs. This system is crucial for the process of respiration, enabling the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body and the environment. The åndedrætskanalen is divided into two main sections: the upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract.

The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx. The nose and nasal cavity filter, warm, and humidify incoming air. The pharynx serves as a common pathway for both air and food, while the larynx, or voice box, contains the vocal cords and prevents food from entering the trachea.

The lower respiratory tract begins with the trachea, commonly known as the windpipe, which extends from the larynx into the chest cavity. The trachea branches into two bronchi, one leading to each lung. These bronchi further subdivide into smaller tubes called bronchioles, which eventually terminate in tiny air sacs called alveoli. It is within the alveoli that the vital gas exchange occurs, with oxygen entering the bloodstream and carbon dioxide being released from it. The entire åndedrætskanalen is lined with specialized cells, including ciliated cells and goblet cells, which help to trap and remove foreign particles and mucus, thus protecting the lungs.