2.1 Structure of respiratory system Flashcards
What is the alveoli surrounded by?
Capillaries- site of oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide removal.
What leads from the throat?
Trachea/windpipe- opening is projected from food particles by a flap called the epiglottis.
What does the epiglottis do?
Closes whenever we swallow.
What is the larynx?
Voice box containing muscles and ligaments. Vocal cords which enable us to speak.
What are the rings that keep open the trachea, bronchi and larger bronchioles?
Kept open by incomplete rings of cartilage.
What are the two specialised forms of cell?
One is glandular- produce and release a sticky, slimy fluid called mucus that traps dirt particles and bacteria breathed in.
Second has microscopic hair-like extensions called cilia that beat backwards and forwards.
These work together like a conveyor belt to move the mucus and trapped particles back up to the throat where we swallow them.
Cilia are paralysed by the chemicals in cigarette smoke, which is why smokers lungs tend to be dirtier and why they often have a cough, as this is the only way they can clean their lungs.
What is the cavity the lungs are in called?
Thorax. Along the sides and at the top of the rib cage are two sets of intercostal muscles- internal and external- located between and attached to ribs.
What is the muscle called which separates the lungs from the digestive organs? (domed sheet of muscle)
The diaphragm.
What is the double set of coverings around each lung?
Pleural membranes- between them is a narrow space filled with pleural fluid. This causes the membranes to stick to each other.
One is attached to the directly to the lung and the other is attached to the rib cage and diaphragm. Causes the lungs to be indirectly attached to both the rib cage and the diaphragm.
