2 - APP - Unit 5.1 - Respiratory System Flashcards
Respiratory system & Cardiovascular system
Use oxygen for metabolic reactions that release energy from nutrient molecules & produce ATP.
These reactions release carbon dioxide. Excessive amount of carbon dioxide is toxic to cells, so excess must be eliminated quickly and efficiently.
Systems for oxygen supply + eliminate carbon dioxide:
- Respiratory system
> provides gas exchange, intake oxygen & eliminate of carbon dioxide
> Contains receptors for sense of smell, filters inspired air, produces sounds & helps eliminate wasters.
- Cardiovascular system
> transports gases in the blood between lungs & body cells
Respiratory system - Upper respiratory tract
Composed of
- Nose or nostrils
- Nasal cavity
- Mouth
- Throat (pharynx)
- Voice box (larynx)
Respiratory system - Upper respiratory tract - Mucous membrane
Lining respiratory system
Secretes mucus
Mucus traps smaller particles like pollen or smoke.
Respiratory system - Upper respiratory tract - Cilia
Hair like structures lining the mucous membrane and moving the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose
Respiratory system - Upper respiratory tract - Inhaled air…
… is moistened, warmed & cleansed by the tissue that lines the nasal cavity.
Respiratory system - Lower respiratory tract
Composed of
- Windpipe (=trachea)
- Bronchi (in the lungs)
- Bronchioles (in the lungs)
- Alveoli (in the lungs)
Respiratory system - Lower respiratory tract - Lungs
Deep in the lungs, each bronchus divides into secondary and tertiary bronchi, branching to smaller airways (=bronchioles), ending in air sacs (=alveoli)
Alveoli are bunched into clusters (= alveolar sacs)
Gas exchange occurs on surface of each alveolus by a capillaries network carrying blood coming through veins from other pars of the body.
Exchange of Gases - Respiration
Exchange of gases between atmosphere, blood & cells.
3 basic steps:
- External respiration - exchange between external environment & blood that takes place in the lungs
- Internal respiration - Gaseous exchange between blood and cells of the body
- Cellular respiration (=oxidation) - Occurs within cells mitochondria
Exchange of Gases - Respiration process
- Air inhaled through nostrils (=nares)
- Passes through nasal cavity to be warmed, moistened & filtered
- Filtered by nasal turbinates (=conchae)
- Passes through pharynx, larynx & into trachea
Exchange of Gases - Pharynx
At the bottom of pharynx, pathway divides in two tubes:
- Esophagus - for food, leading to stomach
- Trachea - for air, leading to bronchial tree
Exchange of Gases - Epiglottis
Small flap of tissue covering the top of the trachea when we swallow, keeping food and liquid from going into the lungs
Exchange of Gases - Trachea division
Trachea divides in:
- Right primary bronchi
- Left primary bronchi
Subdividing into smaller lobar bronchi, branching into segmental bronchi, branching into smaller & smaller branches of bronchial tree.
Exchange of Gases - Lungs
Right lung has three lobes
Left lung has two lobes
Air moves through smallest air tubes in the lungs (= bronchioles) terminating in clusters of air sacs (=alveoli)
Mechanism of Breathing - External respiration
= ventilation or breathing
Involves act of inhaling & exhaling air
Results in an exchange of gases between blood and air sacs
Normal quiet breathing:
- 500ml of air moves into respiratory passageways with each inspiration.
- Same volume out with each expiration
Mechanism of Breathing - External respiration - Tidal volume
Volume of air inspired (or expired)
Mechanism of Breathing - External respiration - Inspiratory reserve volume
Additional air inhaled by taking a very deep breath (average of 3100ml above the 500ml of tidal volume)
Mechanism of Breathing - External respiration - Expiratory reserve volume
Additional air exhaled by exhaling forcibly (1200ml of air above the 500ml of tidal volume)
Mechanism of Breathing - External respiration - Vital capacity
Sum of :
- Inspiratory reserve volume
- Tidal volume
- Expiratory reserve volume
Mechanism of Breathing - Inhalation mechanism
Intercostal muscles contract, raising ribs & expanding thoracic capacity
At the same time: diaphragm contracts & is pulled down, causing lungs to draw in air
Mechanism of Breathing - Exhalation mechanism
Intercostals & diaphragm relaxe, returning to their neutral positions & pushing air out of the lungs
Forced exhalation involves:
- contraction of internal intercostal muscles, collapsing the rib cage
- contraction of the abdominal muscles, forcing abdominal viscera against diaphragm, further reducing area of thoracic cavity
Mechanism of Breathing - Max oxygen intake & carbon dioxide expulsion…
… is accomplished during deep breathing, involving exaggerated movements of ribs and diaphragm.
Mechanism of Breathing - Eupnea
Normal quiet breathing
Involves shallow, deep (or both combined).
Mechanism of Breathing - Costal breathing
Shallow (chest) breathing
Upward & outward movement of the chest as a result of contraction of the external intercostals
Mechanism of Breathing - Diaphragmatic breathing
Deep (abdominal) breathing
Outward movement of abdomen as a result of the contraction and descent of the diaphragm
During deep, labored inspiration, accessory muscles of inspiration participate.
Includes: sternocleidomastoid, scalenes & pectoralis minor
Depending on adult lung capacity, natural breathing rate: 14 to 20 times a minute
Modified Respiratory Movements - Coughing
Long-drawn & deep inspiration followed by complete closure of the rima glottidis, resulting in a strong expiration suddenly pushing the rima glottidis open & sends a blast of air through the upper respiratory passages.
Modified Respiratory Movements - Sneezing
Spasmodic contraction of muscles of expiration that forcefully expels air through the nose and mouth
Stimulus may be an irritation of the nasal mucosa
Modified Respiratory Movements - Sighing
Long-drawn & deep inspiration immediately followed by shorter but forceful expiration.
Modified Respiratory Movements - Yawning
Deep inspiration through the widely opened mouth producing an exaggerated depression of the lower jaw.
May be stimulated by drowsiness, fatigue or someone else’s yawning
Precise stimulus-receptor cause unknown
Modified Respiratory Movements - Sobbing
Series of convulsive inspirations followed by a single prolonged expiration.
The rima glottidis closes earlier than normal after each inspiration so only a little air enters the lungs with each inspiration
Modified Respiratory Movements - Crying
Inspiration followed by many short convulsive expirations, during which rima glottidis remains open & vocal cords vibrate
Accompanied by characteristic facial expressions & tears.
Modified Respiratory Movements - Laughing
Same basic movements as crying but rhythm of movement & facial expressions differ.
Laughing & crying sometimes indistinguishable
Modified Respiratory Movements - Hiccuping
= Singultis
Spasmodic diaphragm contraction followed by rima glottidis spasmodic closure producing sharp inspiration sound.
Modified Respiratory Movements - Valsalva maneuver
Forced expiration against a closed rima glottidis during periods of straining.
Types of respiration - Apnea
Temporary stoppage of breathing movements
Types of respiration - Dyspnea
Difficult, labored or painful breathing
Usually accompanied by discomfort & breathlessness
Types of respiration - Eupnea
Normal or easy breathing with usual quiet inhalations & exhalations
Types of respiration - Hyperpnea
Increase in depth & rate of breathing accompanied by abnormal exaggeration of respiratory movements
Types of respiration - Orthopnea
Difficult or labored breathing when the body is in a horizontal position. It is usually corrected by sitting or standing.
Types of respiration - Tachypnea
Abnormally rapid & shallow rate of breathing
Types of respiration - Hyperventilation
Can be caused by disease or stress
Rapid breathing causing body to lose carbon dioxide too quickly
Blood level of carbon dioxide lowered, leading to alkalosis.
Symptoms: dizziness & possible fainting.
Correction: breath into a paper bag
Exhaled air contains more carbon dioxide, air breathed in from paper bag will have higher levels too, restoring normal blood levels of carbon dioxide.
Disorders of the Respiratory System
Majority of disorder involve defect or problem preventing outside air from reaching the alveoli
Cause:
- infection within upper or lower airway
- Stem from mechanical obstruction of the airway
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Infectious Causes - Anthrax
Disease-causing organism creating potential health hazard
Cause: Bacterium Bacillus anthracis & its spores
Inactive microscopic spores reside in the soil
Favorable environment change into the anthrax bacterium, producing toxin, fatal to human & animals.
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Infectious Causes - Bronchitis [MBLEX]
Inflammation of the trachea mucous membrane & bronchial tubes, producing excessive mucus
Acute or chronic
Follows upper respiratory tract infections
Acute bronchitis: can be caused by inflammation spreading from nasopharynx or inhalation of irritating vapors.
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Infectious Causes - Diphtheria
Very infectious
Cause: Corynebacterium diphteriae bacterium, causing oropharynx, nasopharynx & larynx mucous membranes to enlarge & become leathery which may lead to the airways obstruction & ultimately death by asphyxiation.
Normal immunization process: effective children vaccine
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Infectious Causes - Influenza [MBLEX]
= Flu
Viral infection
Inflammation of the respiratory system mucous membrane
Symptoms: fever, mucopurulent discharge, muscular pain & extreme exhaustion
Complications: bronchopneumonia, neuritis, otitis media (middle ear infection) & pleurisy
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Infectious Causes - Laryngitis [MBLEX]
Larynx (=voice box) inflammation
Often secondary to other respiratory infections
Symptom: hoarseness or loss of voice
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Infectious Causes - Pertussis [MBLEX]
= Whooping cough
Severe coughing attacks ending in a “whooping” sound & dyspnea
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Infectious Causes - Pharyngitis [MBLEX]
Red, inflamed throat
Cause:
- one of several bacteria or viruses
- result of irritants - as too much smoking or speaking
Symptoms: painful swallowing & extreme throat dryness
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Infectious Causes - Pneumonia [MBLEX]
Infection of the lung
Cause: bacteria or virus
Alveoli become filed with a thick fluid (=exudate) containing both pus & red blood cells.
Symptoms: chest pain, fever, chills & dyspnea
Treatment: may require administration of oxygen & antibiotics
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Infectious Causes - Sinusitis
Infection of mucous membrane lining sinus cavities
One or several cavities may be affected
Symptoms: pain & nasal discharge
If severe: may lead to serious complications
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Infectious Causes - Tuberculosis (TB)
= TB
Infectious lungs disease
Cause: tubercle bacillus (=mycobacterium tuberculosis)
Most affected organ: lungs
May also affect: kidneys, bones & lymph
Tubercles = Lesions forming within lung tissue in pulmonary TB
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Asbestosis
Respiratory disease
Cause: inhaling asbestos fibers
Result in: Scar tissue (fibosis) formation in the lung. They don’t expand & contract normally
Symptoms: shortness of breath on exertion, tightness in the chest & chest pain
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Asphyxia
Oxygen starvation
Cause: low atmospheric oxygen or interference with ventilation, external respiration or internal respiration
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Aspiration
Inhalation of foreign substance as water, food or foreign body into bronchial tree
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Asthma [MBLEX]
Airway becomes obstructed due to an inflammatory response to stimulus
Previously thought primarly due to obstruction due to bronchoconstriction
Stimuli may be allergen or psychological stress
Symptoms: difficulty exhaling, dyspnea, wheezing & tightness in the chest
Treatment: Anti-inflammatory drugs & sometimes inhaled bronchodilator
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Atelectasis
Lungs fail to expand normally due to bronchial occlusion
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Cancer of the lungs
One cause: small cell (=oat cell) spreading rapidly to other organs
Mainly smokers
Other cause: Squamous cell or adenocarcinoma, not spreading rapidly
Symptoms: cough & weight loss
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Cystic fibrosis (CF)
Inherited disease of secretory epithelia
Affects: respiratory passageways, pancreas, salivary glands & sweat glands
Signs & symptoms:
- pancreatic insufficiency
- breathing difficulty
- liver cirrhosis
Characterized by:
- thick secretions that do not drain easily from the respiratory passageways
Build up of secretions leads to inflammation & replacement of injured cells with connective tissue that blocks these passageways
One of the prominent features: blockage of pancreatic ducts so digestive enzymes cannot reach the intestine
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Emphysema [MBLEX]
Lungs alveoli over delated and losing elasticity & ability to rebond
Alreoli may eventually rupture
Air become trapped in the alveaoli making exhale difficult
Forced exhalation required
Reduced exchange of carbon dioxide & oxygen
Dyspnea becoming more severe as disease progresses.
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Epistaxis
=nosebleed
Loss of blood from the nose due to trauma, infection, allergy, cancers & bleeding disorders
Treatment: cauterization with silver nitrate, electrocautery or firm nose bleeding
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Nasal polyps
Growths that sometimes occur in the sinus cavity & cause an obstruction of the air pathway.
Polyps may be surgically removed
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Pulmonary edema [MBLEX]
Abnormal accumulation of interstitial fluid in the interstitial spaces and alveoli of the lungs
May arise from increased pulmonary capillary permeability (pulmonary origin) or increased pulmonary capillary pressure (cardiac origin), which may coincide with congestive heart failure.
Symptoms:
- dyspnea (most common)
- wheezing
- tachypnea (rapid respirations)
- restlessness
- feeling of suffocation
- cyanosis
- pallor (paleness)
- diaphoresis (excessive perspiration)
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Pulmonary embolism [MBLEX]
Blood clot (embolism) traveling to the lung Condition may occur after surgery or if been on bed rest
Symptoms: sudden severe pain in the chest & dyspnea
Diagnosis: by lung scan
Treatment: anticoagulant therapy
Prevention: early ambulation (walking) after surgery
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Rhinitis
Inflammation of nasal mucous membrane causing swelling & increased secretions
Various forms include acute rhinitis & allergic rhinitis causes by allergen (= hay fever)
Disorders of the Respiratory System - Noninfectious Causes - Silicosis
= chalicosis, lithosis, miner’s asthma or miner’s disease
Cause: breathing dust containing silicon dioxide over long period of time
Lungs become fibrosed reducing expansion capacity
