28/29. Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the thoracic wall made of
Ribs covering the lateral aspect
Sternum on the anterior aspect
Vertebrae on the posterior aspect
Two apertures
Two apertures of the thoracic wall
Superior thoracic aperture
Inferior thoracic aperture that is covered completely by the diaphragm, which assists in inhalation
Contents of the thoracic cavity
Pleural cavity contains the lungs
Mediastinum contains the heart and surrounding pericardium
Functions of the respiratory system
Gas exchange, air conditioning, sound production, olfaction, and defense
Parts of the respiratory tract
Upper respiratory tract consisting of nasal cavity and pharynx
Lower respiratory tract consisting of larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs
Location and function of nasal vestibule:
Air enters nose through external nares (nostril)
Air then flows in the nasal vestibule (the hallway leading into the nasal cavity)
Vibrissae, sticky with mucus, collect foreign particles, antigens, pollen, etc
Epithelium found in nasal vestibule
Stratified squamous epithelium
What is the nasal septum made of
Articulation of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone and the vomer bone
Where are nasal conchae found and how are they named
Named for position on lateral wall of nasal cavity (superior, middle, inferior)
Superior and middle conchae are part of ethmoid bone
Inferior conchae is a separate bone
Function of nasal conchae and meatuses
Nasal conchae protrude from lateral wall of the nasal cavity
Form spaces underneath called meatuses
Meatuses provide additional surface area through which air can flow
As air circulates through the conchae and meatuses it is warmed and humidified
4 Paranasal sinuses and their functions
Frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, maxillary
Lighten skull, tone voice, protect vital structures in head, and produce mucus to maintain moisture in the nasal cavity
Location of Superior meatus
Opening of sphenoidal and ethmoid sinus
Location of Middle meatus
Ethmoid air cells projecting into middle meatus
Semilunar hiatus formed from by the ethmoid bulla
Opening of maxillary and frontal sinus within the SL hiatus
Location of inferior meatus
Opening of the nasolacrimal duct
Respiratory epithelium
Ciliated, pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells
Function is to help moisten and clean the airway
Goblet cells secrete mucus in which foreign debris gets caught
Movement of cilia directs mucus out of respiratory tract
Three structures that make up respiratory epithelium
Cilia, goblet cells, pseudostratified columnar cells
Layers and function of mucus membrane
Respiratory epithelium, characteristically thick basement membrane, and lamina popria containing seromucus glanda
Main function as protectant and secretant
Function and location of seromucus glands
Within the lamina propria of mucus membrane
Serous fluid contains lysozymes to destroy foreign particles
Olfactory epithelium
A specialized respiratory epithelium which lines the superior region of the nasal cavity
Olfactory epithelium contains olfactory receptor cells
Overall what are the specialized linings of the respiratory tract
Stratified squamous epithelium: thick layer of cells
Respiratory epithelium: cilia, goblet cells
Mucus membrane: thick layers, mucus production, lysosomes
Olfactory epithelium: olfactory receptor cells
How is the pharynx subdivided
Begins at the internal nares
Divided into three regions which are for their association with the nasal cavity, oral cavity and larynx:
Nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx
Characteristics of nasopharynx
Extends from internal nares to soft palate
Contains pharyngeal tonsil and uvula
Includes Pharyngotympanic (eustachian) tunes
Respiratory epithelium
Characteristics of oropharynx
Contains tonsils and most of the epiglottis
Lined with a stratified squamous epithelium
Characteristics of laryngopharynx
Contains opening into larynx
Stratified squamous epithelium
Includes Epiglottis