A&P: Respiratory System Flashcards
Respiratory system
Supplies body with oxygen and disposes of carbon dioxide
Pulmonary ventilation (breathing)
Air is moved in and out of lungs
(Inspiration and expiration)
Gases are continuously changed and refreshed
External respiration
Oxygen diffuses from lungs to blood (alveoli –> pulmonary circulation)
Carbon dioxide diffuses from blood to lungs (pulmonary circulation –> alveoli)
Internal respiration
Oxygen diffuses from blood to tissue cells
Carbon dioxide diffuses from tissue cells to blood
Not accomplished by respiratory system
Respiratory zone
Actual site of gas exchange
Made of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveoli
Conducting zone
Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchioles
Cleanse, humidify and warm incoming air
Nose
Provides an airway for respiration Moistens and warms entering air Filters and cleans inspired air Serves as a resonating chamber for speech Houses olfactory receptors
Pharynx
Throat
Connects the nasal cavity and mouth
Nasopharynx
Serves ONLY as air passageway
Continuous with nasal cavity
During swallowing, soft palate and uvula move up, closing off the nasopharynx
(This prevents food from entering the nasal cavity)
Oropharynx
Continuous with oral cavity
Passageway for air AND swallowed food
Houses palatine tonsils
Laryngopharynx
Passageway for air AND swallowed food
Continuous with esophagus and trachea
Larynx
Provides an open airway Acts as a switching mechanism to route air and food into proper channels Thyroid cartilage Cricoid cartilage Vocal cords --> "Voicebox"
Epiglottis
Made of elastic cartilage
During swallowing, larynx is pulled up and the epiglottis tips to cover the inlet.
Trachea
Windpipe Divides into the two main bronchi Mucosa, submucosa, and adventitia C-rings Trachealis muscle: determines diameter of trachea
Respiratory membrane
Made up of pulmonary capillaries and alveolar walls and their fused basement membranes
Blood air barrier: blood flowing past on one side and air on the other
Type II alveolar cells
Secretes surfactant
Surfactant
Fluid containing a detergent-like substance
Coats the gas-exposed alveolar surfaces
Reduces surface tension of the alveolar fluid
Decreases cohesiveness of water molecules
Lungs
Occupy thoracic cavity Surrounded by pleurae Left lung is smaller than the right (because of the heart) Divided into lobes Left: superior and inferior Right: superior, middle, inferior Bronchopulmonary segments
Pulmonary Circulation (of Lungs)
Pulmonary arteries: (carries deoxygenated blood to lungs)
Feed into capillaries
Pulmonary capillary networks: surround alveoli in lung
Pulmonary veins: carry freshly oxygenated blood from respiratory zone of lungs to heart
Low-pressure
High-volume
Bronchial Circulation (of Lungs)
Bronchial arteries: provide oxygenates systemic blood to lung tissue
High-pressure
Low-volume
Supply of oxygenated blood to all lung tissues except alveoli
(Most venous blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins)
Parietal pleura
Covers the thoracic wall and superior face of diaphragm
Continues around heart and between lungs