Final answer:
The lungs are not part of the upper respiratory tract, which consists of the nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx. The lungs, where gas exchange occurs, belong to the lower respiratory tract.
Step-by-step explanation:
The upper respiratory tract includes several components that are involved in the movement of air into and out of the body, which are important for processes such as warming, humidifying, and cleaning the air we breathe. These components include the nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx. However, the lungs, where actual gas exchange occurs, are considered part of the lower respiratory tract. Therefore, the correct answer to which of the following is not included in the upper respiratory tract is the lungs (option b).
Through the upper respiratory tract, air flows in the following order during inhalation: nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and finally the alveoli, which are in the lower respiratory tract. The larynx also functions as the voice box, containing the vocal cords necessary for producing vocal sounds.