The pathways of air

• • Air moves in and out of the lungs when we breathe in and out
• The pathway of air:

  mouth/nose → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli
• Mouth/Nose

  • Air enters the body through the mouth and/or nose when we breathe in
• Trachea

  • This is the tube that carries air from the mouth/nose down into the lungs
  • Rings of cartilage within the walls of the trachea ensure that it remains open to allow air movement
• Bronchi (singular bronchus)

  • A pair of smaller tubes that branch from the trachea, allowing air to travel between the trachea and the lungs
• Bronchioles

  • Smaller tubes that branch from the bronchi, carrying air into the alveoli
• Alveoli

  • Tiny air sacs located at the end of the bronchioles
  • Gases are exchanged here between the air and the blood