Introduction and anatomy of lungs, airways and blood supply

Question 1

What are the functions of the Respiratory System?

Answer 1

Gas exchange - Oxygen added to the blood from the air, carbon dioxide removed from the blood into the air.

Acid/base balance - regulation of body pH

Protection from infection

Communication via speech

Question 2

What direction does the pulmonary Artery travel in relation to the heart?

Answer 2

Travels away from the heart

Question 3

What direction does the pulmonary Vein travel in relation to the heart?

Answer 3

Travels towards the heart

Question 4

What would an increase in energy demand by working muscles lead to?

Answer 4

Rate and depth of breathing increases. This brings in more oxygen and expels more CO2.

Heart rate and force of contraction increases. This allows for more oxygen to reach tissues and for move CO2 to be removed from tissues.

Question 5

In the steady state, the net volume of oxygen exchanged in lungs per unit time is equal to the net volume exchanged in the tissues. The same applies for carbon dioxide.

True or False?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What is are the average volumes exchanged per minute?

Answer 6

250ml of oxygen exchanged (consumed)

200ml of carbon dioxide exchanged (produced)

Question 7

What is the average breathing rate of an adult at rest? And at maximum exercise?

Answer 7

10-20 breaths/min at rest

40-45 breaths/min maximum exercise

Question 8

What is the function of the nose in the Respiratory system?

Answer 8

Air enters your body through your nose, where cilia and mucus trap particles and warm and moisten the air.

Question 9

What is the function of the Pharynx in the Respiratory system?

Answer 9

From your nose air moves down into the pharynx, or throat, which is shared with the digestive system

Question 10

What is the function of the Epiglottis in the Respiratory system?

Answer 10

This small flap of tissue folds over the trachea and prevents food from entering it when you swallow.

Question 11

What is the function of the Larynx in the Respiratory system?

Answer 11

The larynx, or voice box, contains your vocal chords, which vibrate to produce sound.

Question 12

What is the function of the Trachea in the Respiratory system?

Answer 12

From the pharynx air moves down toward the lungs your trachea. The trachea os made up of stiff rings of cartilage that support and protect it.

Question 13

What is the function of the Bronchus in the Respiratory system?

Answer 13

Air moves from the trachea into the right and left bronchi, which lead inside the lungs.

Question 14

What is the function of the Lungs in the Respiratory system?

Answer 14

The main organs of the respiration are the lungs. Their soft, spongy texture is due to the many thousands of tiny hollow sacs that compose them.

Question 15

What structures are in the Upper respiratory tract?

Answer 15

Mouth
Nasal cavity
Pharynx
Larynx

Question 16

What structures are in the Lower respiratory tract?

Answer 16

Trachea
Bonchi
Lungs

Question 17

The Lower respiratory system is enclosed in what?

Answer 17

The thorax, bounded by the ribs, spine and diaphragm

Question 18

Which lung is more prone to infection? And why?

Answer 18

The right lung.

Due to the angle of the right bronchi.

Question 19

Where in the respiratory tract is their greater resistance to air flow?

Answer 19

The trachea and branching bronchi.

Question 20

Where is Gas exchange possible?

Answer 20

At the alveoli (which have very thin walls)

Question 21

What is ‘anatomical dead space’?

Answer 21

The walls of the upper airways are too thick to allow for gas exchange. Their function is purely conduction of air to and from the alveoli.

Question 22

What lines the respiratory tracts?

Answer 22

Epithelium (pseudo-stratified, ciliated, columnar)

Glands
Lymph nodes
Blood vessels (nutritive)
Cilia
Mucous

Question 23

How does the lining of the respiratory tract change from the nose to the alveoli?

Answer 23

Epithelium becomes more squamos

Cilia is lost

Mucous cells lost (before cilia)

Question 24

What is the function of Mucous in the respiratory system?

Answer 24

Moistens air
Traps particles
Provides large surface area for cilia to act on