They do not provide support, cartilage does. The diaphram and skeletal muscles of the ribs control inspiration and expiration. Why do we need muscles lining our airways?
2007-02-09 18:03:40 · 8 answers · asked by Catherine 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
The main reason as I understand it is to control the distribution of ventilation. The blood flow to the lungs varies with height (Think of a filled balloon - it tends to bulge at the bottom) with the most blood flow at the bottom.
The ideal situation is where ventilation (air movement) and perfusion (blood flow) are perfectly matched. One major mechanism of matching is controlling the size of the blood vessels to restrict blood flow. Another mechanism is controlling the size of the airways to restrict ventilation.
Usually, the only time we hear about the respiratory tract muscles is when they misbehave such as asthma.
I hope this helps,
Ken
2007-02-09 23:55:25 · answer #1 · answered by Ken C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Skeletal musles are used for providing motion. Cardiac muscle makes the heart pump. Smooth muscles are found in organs and throughout the body for visceral functions. In the respiratory tract, it serves to dilate or constrict the bronchus, bronchioles, etc. They are an integral part in oxygen exchange. Their main purpose is regulation of air flow the atmosphere to the lungs and vise versa.
2007-02-09 20:37:48 · answer #2 · answered by adonisMD 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
broncho dilation and constriction as well as to aid in the transportation of mucus. Otherwise the amount of air intake would forever remain constant and running would become much more difficult.
Look at the difficulties of asthma (involuntary bronchoconstriction and spasms) cause on respiration... the smooth muscle help control this in a healthy individual
2007-02-09 18:12:43 · answer #3 · answered by Corey R 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The smooth muscles are lined by ciliated epithelium& have mucous & serous glands. These help to cough out the sputum along with the unwanted particles that we inspire everyday. The particles from cigarette smoke for eg. is trapped in the mucous secreted by the cells and later we spit it out due to the action of the cilia which always moves upwards.
2007-02-10 02:22:11 · answer #4 · answered by dharini 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, everybody knows Jesus was born on Dec 25 in the year zero. it's in all the history books.
2016-05-24 21:18:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
~It's solely for expulsion of hot breath and seductive whispers during sex. Some of the most important muscles in the human system, if procreation and propogation of the species is a factor.
Hippocrates himself postulated the theory and from Heroditus on down, the ancient scholars have confirmed him until DeBauchee tried to discount it in the '60's, but when he was outed, his works were largely discounted.
2007-02-09 18:12:32 · answer #6 · answered by Oscar Himpflewitz 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Why of course, they are to cause asthma attacks! No one would be able to have asthma without them....
2007-02-09 18:27:55 · answer #7 · answered by Joy K 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
they are there to contract.
2007-02-09 19:14:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋