Respiratory tract
Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 2 Apr 2023
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Bell D, MacManus D, Respiratory tract. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 19 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-87037
Permalink:
rID:
87037
Article created:
18 Feb 2021,
Daniel J Bell ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures
Last revised:
2 Apr 2023,
Daniel J Bell ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures
Revisions:
5 times, by
2 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Tags:
Synonyms:
- Upper respiratory tracts (URTs)
- Upper respiratory tract (URT)
- Lower respiratory tract (LRT)
- Lower respiratory tracts (LRTs)
- Upper airways
- Lower airways
- Airways (anatomy)
- Airway (anatomy)
- Respiratory tracts
The respiratory tract refers to the portion of the respiratory system that conducts air into and out of the body. It is conventionally divided into upper and lower tracts.
The upper respiratory tract (URT), also known as the upper airways, is the collective term for the components of the respiratory system proximal to the trachea:
Some texts include the paranasal sinuses in the upper respiratory tract as they are in direct communication with the nasal cavity, lined by a thin layer of respiratory epithelium and play a role in humidification of the inspired air and phonation.
The lower respiratory tract (LRT), also known as the lower airways, is the collective term for the components of the respiratory system distal to the larynx:
-
tracheobronchial tree
- trachea
- main bronchi
- bronchial tree
- functional airways (distal to the terminal bronchioles)
References
- 1. Wynn Kapit, Lawrence M. Elson. The Anatomy Coloring Book. (2014) ISBN: 9780321832016 - Google Books
- 2. Patwa A & Shah A. Anatomy and Physiology of Respiratory System Relevant to Anaesthesia. Indian J Anaesth. 2015;59(9):533-41. doi:10.4103/0019-5049.165849 - Pubmed
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common carotid artery
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arterial supply
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