The Pathway of Air (AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE)): Revision Note

The Pathway of Air

• Air moves in and out of the lungs when we breathe in and out

• The pathway taken by air during breathing is:

  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

The lungs diagram

Air enters the body through the mouth and nose and then travels through the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles to reach the alveoli