Final answer:
Air is drawn into the body through the nasal cavity, where it is conditioned and filtered before passing through the pharynx, larynx, and trachea, and then entering the bronchi and bronchioles, concluding its journey in the alveoli for gas exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pathway of Air During Inhalation
As air is drawn into the body during inhalation, it travels through several parts that are arranged to optimize gas exchange and protect the respiratory system. Initially, air enters the body through the nasal cavity, where it is warmed to body temperature, humidified, and filtered of particulate matter by hairs, mucus, and cilia. The air's journey continues through the pharynx, past the larynx, and then into the trachea, which is a tube leading to the chest. In the chest, the trachea divides into right and left bronchi, further dividing into smaller bronchioles that end in the alveolar sacs containing numerous alveoli. These alveoli are thin-walled structures directly in contact with capillaries, enabling the diffusion of oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of the blood. The nasal cavity, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli all play a crucial role in the respiratory process.