What are the non-respiratory functions of respiratory tract? Respiratory Physiology | Medicine

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Besides the primary function of gaseous exchange, the respiratory tract is involved in several non-respiratory functions of the body.
Particularly, the lungs function as a defense barrier and metabolic organs, which synthesize some important compounds.

1. OLFACTION: Olfactory receptors present in the mucous membrane of nostril are responsible for olfactory sensation.

2. VOCALIZATION: Along with other structures, larynx forms the speech apparatus. However, larynx alone plays a major role in the process of vocalization. Therefore, it is called a sound box.

3. PREVENTION OF DUST PARTICLES: Dust particles, which enter the nostrils from the air, is prevented from reaching the lungs by filtration action of the hairs in the nasal mucous membrane. Small particles, which escape the hairs, are held by the mucus secreted by nasal mucous membrane. Those dust particles which escape from nasal hairs and nasal mucous membrane are removed by the phagocytic action of macrophages in the alveoli.

4. DEFENSE MECHANISM: Lungs play an important role in the immunological defense system of the body. Defense functions of the lings are performed by heir own defenses and by the presence of various types of cells in the mucous membrane lining the alveoli of the lungs. These cells are leukocytes, macrophages, mast cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells.

5. MAINTENANCE OF WATER BALANCE: Respiratory tract plays a role in water loss mechanism during expiration, water evaporates through the expired air and some amount of body water is lost by this process.

6. REGULATION OF BODY TEMPERATURE: During expiration, along with water heat is also lost from the body. Thus, respiratory tract plays a role in heat loss mechanism.

7. REGULATION OF ACID-BASE BALANCE: Lungs play a role in the maintenance of the acid-base balance of the body by regulating the carbon dioxide content in the blood. Carbon dioxide is produced during various metabolic reactions in the tissues of the body.
When carbon dioxide is removed from the blood into the alveoli of lungs changes into volatile gas, so it is practically blown out by ventilation.

8. ANTICOAGULANT FUNCTION: Mast cells in lungs secrete heparin. Heparin is an anticoagulant and it prevents the intravascular clotting.

9. SECRETION OF ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME: Endothelial cells of the pulmonary capillaries secrete the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). It converts the angiotensin I into active angiotensin II, for the regulation of ECF volume and blood pressure.

10. SYNTHESIS OF HORMONAL SUBSTANCES: Lung tissues are also known to synthesize hormonal substances like prostaglandins, acetylcholine, and serotonin.

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