A&P2.11 - Respiratory System Flashcards
Functional Anatomy of Respiration
List the anatomical structures assosciated with this system
- Nose
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Lungs
Functional Anatomy - Nose
List the two major categories of the nose and list the structures that comprise them
External: Nasal bones & hyaline cartilage
Internal: ethmoid bone
Functional Anatomy - Nose
List the functions of the nose
- provides an airway
- warms and moistens air
- filters air
- olfactory sense
- resonating chamber for speech
Functional Anatomy - Nose
List the parts of the nose
- Nasal septum
- olfactory and respiratory mucosa
- nasal conchae
- paranasal sinuses
Functional Anatomy - Nose
Describe what comprises the nasal septum
- anterior, cartilage portion
- perpendicular plate of the ethmoid
- vomer
Functional Anatomy - Nose
Describe the olfactory and respiratory mucosa of the nose
- Roof of the nose is lined with olfactory (scent) receptors
- The rest is lined with ciliated mucosa to trap and move debris
Functional Anatomy - Nose
List/describe the parts of the nasal conchae and their purpose
- superior & middle (ethmoid markings)
- inferior (separate)
- increase surface area of nasal cavity to help swirl, warm and moisten air
Functional Anatomy - Nose
Describe the paranasal sinuses
- open cavities in bone which resonate for speech & lighten skull
- mucus produced here travels into nasal cavity
Functional Anatomy
Describe the pharynx
- 4-5” long skeletal muscle tube
- Connects the nose to the larynx
- has 3 subsections
“throat”
Functional Anatomy - Pharynx Subsections
Describe the nasopharynx
- connects nose and oropharynx
- tonsils present
- auditory tubes
- cilia
Functional Anatomy - Pharynx Subsections
Oropharynx
- Connects mouth and pharynx
- tonsils present
Functional Anatomy - Pharynx Subsections
Laryngopharynx
connects oropharynx and larynx
Functional Anatomy - Pharynx
List the functions of the pharynx
- common pathway for air and food
- equalizes pressure (auditory tubes)
- houses tonsils
Functional Anatomy - Larynx
List the functions of the larynx
- airway
- switching mechanism
- speech
- cilia traps debris
Functional Anatomy - Functions of the Larynx
Airway
hyaline cartilage maintains open airway
Functional Anatomy - Functions of the Larynx
Switching mechanism
routes food down appropriate pathway (esophagus)
Functional Anatomy - Functions of the Larynx
Speech
created when air passes through the vocal cords
Functional Anatomy - Functions of the Larynx
Cilia
ciliated mucous mebranes that move mucous blanket up away from lungs to be swallowed or coughed out
Functional Anatomy - Larynx
List the parts of the larynx
- thyroid cartilage
- epiglottis
- glottis
- vocal cords
Functional Anatomy - Parts of the Larynx
Thyroid cartilage
thick cartilage plate that serves to protect the structures of this area
“Adam’s apple”
Functional Anatomy - Parts of the Larynx
Epiglottis
- guards the airway
- piece of elastic cartilage that closes over the glottis during swallowing
- Can trigger cough reflex
Functional Anatomy - Parts of the Larynx
Glottis
opening at the top of the larynx
Functional Anatomy - Parts of the Larynx
Vocal cords
True Cords:
- elastic ligaments attached to skeletal muscle
- More tension = higher pitch
False cords:
- located just outside the true cords
- create sound against pressure
Functional Anatomy
Trachea
4-5” long tube from larynx to lungs
“wind pipe”
Functional Anatomy - Trachea
List the functions
- airway
- cilia
Functional Anatomy - Functions of the Trachea
Airway
cartilage rings maintain an open airway
Functional Anatomy - Functions of the Trachea
Cilia
move mucous blanket up to be swallowed or coughed out
Functional Anatomy - Parts of the Trachea
Cartilage rings
- hyaline cartilage semi-circles
- keep airway open and allow for expansion of esophagus
Functional Anatomy - Lungs
Describe the lungs
- Fill most of thoracic cavity from clavicles to diaphragm
- primary location of CO2 and O2 exchange
Functional Anatomy - Lung Compartments
List the two compartments and their differences
Right: 3 lobes
Left: 2 lobes (leaving room for the heart)
Functional Anatomy - Lungs
Describe the different parts of the pleural (serous) membranes
- parietal pleura
- visceral pleura
- pleural cavity and fluid
Functional Anatomy - Lungs - Pleural Membranes
Parietal pleura
- lines the cavity and superior face of diaphragm
- continues around the heart and between lungs
Functional Anatomy - Lungs - Pleural Membranes
Visceral pleura
An extension of parietal pleura which covers the outside of the lungs
Functional Anatomy - Lungs - Pleural Membranes
Pleural cavity and fluid
- space between the parietal and visceral pleura
- filled with serous fluid
- reduces friction
Functional Anatomy - Lungs - Bronchial Tree
Describe this structure
Trachea divies into left & right branches before entering the lungs
Functional Anatomy - Lungs - Bronchial Tree
Describe the conducting zone
Passage of tubes which bring air to and from the lungs
Functional Anatomy - Lungs - Bronchial Tree - Conducting Zone
List the components of this structure
- Primary bronchii: enter the lungs
- Secondary bronchii: 1st branches in lung
- Tertiary bronchii: 2nd branches in lung
- Bronchioles
- Terminal bronchioles
Functional Anatomy - Lungs - Bronchial Tree
Describe the respiratory zone
Begins at the end of the terminal branchioles
Functional Anatomy - Lungs - Bronchial Tree - Respiratory Zone
List the components of this structure
- Respiratory bronchioles: branch off of terminal bronchioles
- Alveolar ducts: winding smooth muscle ducts
- Alveoli: functional unit of the lungs
–> Approximately 300 million per lung
–> Made of thin epithelium which allows for gaseous exchange with blood capillaries
–> Contains surfactant
** Mixture of phospholipids and proteins
** Decreases surface tension to prevent alveolar collapse
Functional Anatomy - Lungs - Bronchial Tree
List the characteristics which change as air flow progresses along the branchial tree
Decreases:
- Cilia
- Cartilage rings
- Mucus production
Increases:
- Elastic tissue
- Macrophages
- Smooth muscle
- Lymphoid nodules
Mechanics of Breathing (Pulmonary Ventilation)
What is the avg breaths/min for a healthy adult?
12-16 breaths/min
Mechanics of Breathing (Pulmonary Ventilation)
List the two phases
- inspiration/inhalation
- expiratoin/exhalation
Mechanics of Breathing (Pulmonary Ventilation)
List & describe the two mechanisms of inhalation
- Diaphragmatic - deep abdominal breaths w/ diaphragm contraction to increase thoracic volume
- Costal - shallow breaths w/ external costals lifting the rib cage & sternum to increase thoracic volume
Mechanics of Breathing (Pulmonary Ventilation)
Describe expiration/exhalation
Passive relaxation of the diaphragm and/or external intercostals
Mechanics of Breathing (Pulmonary Ventilation)
List the specific types of respiration and the muscles they involve
- Inhalation: Diaphragm & ext. intercostals
- Exhalation: Relaxing of diaphragm + ext. intercostals
- Forced inhalation: Diaphragm, ext. intercostals, scalenes and SCM all contract
- Forced exhalation: Int. intercostals + abdominals all contract
Physiology of Respiration
List the different aspects of this
- Pressure relationships
- Boyle’s Law
- Respiratory process as defined by Boyles Law & pressure relationships
Physiology of Respiration
Describe pressure relationships and list the different aspects of it
Breathing depends on pressure dynamics between environment, inside lungs, and between pleural membranes
- atmospheric
- intrapulmonary
- intrapleural
Physiology of Respiration - Pressure Relationships
Atmospheric
- 760mmHg @ sea level
- Respiration is always calculated against atmospheric pressure
Physiology of Respiration - Pressure Relationships
Intrapulmonary
- Pressure within the lungs/alveoli
- Rises and falls w/ each breath trying to maintain balance w/ atmospheric pressure
Physiology of Respiration - Pressure Relationships
Intrapleural
- Pressure within pleural cavity
- Always less than pressure w/in lungs to keep lungs inflated
Physiology of Respiration
Boyle’s Law
When temperature is consistent:
pressure of a gas is inversely related to volume
high pressure = low volume, low pressure = high volume
Physiology of Respiration
Respiratory process as defined by Boyle’s Law and pressure relationships
Inhalation:
diaphragm contracts and pulls down on lungs while ext. intercostals elevate the rib cage => increasing thoracic volume and decreasing pressure => air flows into lungs
Exhalation:
diaphragm and ext. intercostals relax thus decreasing lung volume and increasing pressure => air flows from high to low atmospheric pressure (aka out of lungs)
Physiology of Respiration - Vocabulary
Hypoxia
- Low levels of O2 delivery to tissues
- Can be due to anemia, pulmonary disease, impaired circulation or sudden increase in altitude
Physiology of Respiration - Vocabulary
Eupnea
Normal respiration rate (~12-16 breaths/min)
Physiology of Respiration - Vocabulary
Apnea
- Cessation of breathing
- Can also be a result of anxiety or a larger body w/ more weight that’s needed to be moved in diaphragmatic respiration when in supine
Factors Affecting Respiration
List the categories of factors that affect respiration
- Muscles
- Emotional state
- Condition(s)
- Other
Factors Affecting Respiration
Muscles
Diaphragm or intercostals may be inflexible
Factors Affecting Respiration
Other
- Histamine (bronchiole constriction)
- Tumors
- Inflammation
- Increased mucus
- Adhesions in bronchiole walls
- Chemical irritants
- Smoking
