2007-03-23 16:57:51 · 7 answers · asked by Patricia M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Well, technically, "air distributor" is not a term used in physiology. But, if what you mean is which of those are not associated with air movement, the answer is the alveoli. Although to be precise, the respiratory bronchioles (the last division of the airway before reaching the alveoli) are not "distribution areas" either.
So what does all of that mean? When the diaphragm contracts and mooves downward, it creates a negative pressure in the chest that expands the lungs. This creates a vacuum that sucks in air. That air moves in through the nose and/or the mouth and then travels through the nasopharynx, the pharynx, through the larynx and into the trachea. From there it rushes into the left and right mainstem bronchi and then onward to the many divisions of the bronchi. These further divide into the respiratory bronchioles and then these end in the alveoli. A normal breath is somewhere in the range of 500 cc's with about 150 cc's of that breath filling the airways down to the respiratory bronchioles. That 150 cc's of air is NOT involved in the exchange of gases between the lungs and the atmosphere. Thsi is referred to as anatomic dead space. Gas exchange occurs ONLY in the alveoli and the respiratory bronchioles. So the purpose of the entire respiratory tree up to that point is to supply those structures, ie to distribute air to the alveoli and respiratory bronchioles.
Interestingly, while air moves in and out of the airways, there is no significant tidal movement of air in and out of the alveoli. Gases move in and out of the largely alveoli by diffusion and not by expansion and collapse of those alveoli.
So, to answer your question as you asked it, the alveoli.
2007-03-23 18:05:52 · answer #1 · answered by William S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bronchitis does not serve as an air distributor. bronchitis is an inflamation of the bronchial tubes
2007-03-23 17:10:56 · answer #2 · answered by usmc2072 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The nose, I think, because it is an air intake device.
2007-03-23 17:13:49 · answer #3 · answered by fungirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog" No Backspace and no cheating!=)
2016-03-17 01:36:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
alveoli
2007-03-23 17:08:04 · answer #5 · answered by m e 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you've mis-stated your question, but the answer you're looking for is the nose...
2007-03-23 18:35:52 · answer #6 · answered by matt p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2007-03-23 17:05:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋