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1. Medical Science JDW MASTER > A2 Respiratory system > Flashcards

A2 Respiratory system Flashcards

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USMLE® Step 1 flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Name the organ responsible for gas exchange in humans

A

Lung

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2
Q

Where in the lungs does gas exchange take place?

A

Alveolus

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3
Q

Describe the pathway taken by air as it travels to the alveolus

A

Mouth/nose

Trachea

Bronchus

Bronchiole

Alveolus

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4
Q

Name structure A

A

Trachea

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5
Q

Which gas diffuses into the blood in the alveoli?

A

Oxygen

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6
Q

How is the alveolus adapted for its function?

A

Large surface area

Thin walls - one cell thick

Rich blood supply

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7
Q

Name structure B

A

Bronchus

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8
Q

Name structure C

A

Bronchiole

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9
Q

What is the function of the pulmonary surfactant

A

Lowers the surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse

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10
Q

Describe the process of inspiration

A

Diaphragm muscle contracts

Diaphragm moves downwards

External Intercoastal muscles contract

Rib cage moves out and up

Increases the volume of the thorax

Decreases the pressure in the thorax

Air moves into the lungs

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11
Q

Describe the process of expiration

A

Diaphragm relaxes

Diaphragm moves into a domed position

Intercostal muscles relax

Rib cage moves down and in

Volume of thorax decreases

Pressure in thorax increases

Air is forced out of the lungs

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12
Q

What is the function of the pleural membranes?

A

Surround the lungs and contain pleural fluid

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13
Q

What is the role of the cartilage rings in the trachea

A

Keeps the trachea open

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14
Q

What is the function of the cilia?

A

Waft the mucus upwards towards the top of the trachea

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15
Q

Name the cells that produce mucus in the respiratory system.

A

Goblet cells

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16
Q

What is the function of the mucus found in the respiratory system?

A

Sticky

Traps pathogen and particles in the air

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17
Q

How thick is the alveolus wall?

A

One cell thick

Reduces the diffusion pathway

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18
Q

What type of chemical is the pulmonary surfactant?

A

Phospholipid

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19
Q

How is a steep concentration gradient maintained at the gas exchange surface?

A

Lungs continuously ventilated

Ensure high concentration of oxygen in the alveolus

Blood containing very little oxygen is continuously delivered to the alveolus

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20
Q

Give the equation for pulmonary ventilation

A

Tidal volume x ventilation rate

21
Q

What can spirometry be used to measure?

A

Amount of air exhaled n one second

Total volume of air that can be exhaled in one forced breath

22
Q

Which lung diseases can spirometry be used to test for?

A

Asthma

Pulmonary fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis

COPD

23
Q

How is a spirometry test carried out?

A

Explain the procedure to patient

Gain consent

Patient seals lips round mouth piece

Start with period of quiet breathing in and out

Take deep breath and then exhale as hard as possible for 6 seconds

Rapid inhalation and forced exhalation used to assess airway obstruction eg asthma COPD

Repeat results

24
Q

What is the function of the pleural fluid?

A

Lubrication

25
Q

Asthma causes difficulty in breathing. What happens in the respiratory system to cause this difficulty in breathing?

A

Inflammation of the bronchioles

Increases friction

Decreases volume of air in alveolus

26
Q

Name the physiological test that can be used to diagnose/assess asthma

A

Peak flow

Spirometry

27
Q

What are the symptoms of asthma?

A

Difficulty in breathing

Wheezing sound when breathing

Tight feeling in chest

Coughing

28
Q

Describe in detail what happens in an asthma attack

A

Muscles in bronchiole wall contract
Constricts the diameter of the bronchiole.
Less air travels to the alveolus for gas exchange

29
Q

How is asthma treated?

A

Bronchodilators - relax muscles in walls

Corticosteroid - reduce inflammation

30
Q

What causes asthma?

A

Localised allergic reaction

Triggered by a variety of allergens

31
Q

Give the cause of tuberculosis

A

Bacterial infection

Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis

32
Q

Give the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis

A

Shortness of breath

Chronic dry cough

Pain in the chest

Weakness or fatigue

33
Q

How is TB spread from person to person?

A

Air borne transmission

eg coughing sneezing

34
Q

How does TB affect the lungs?

A

Infection causes inflammation

Tubercles formed

Scarring reduces elasticity of the lungs

Thickening of the epithelium

35
Q

Give the symptoms of TB

A

Persistent productive cough

Tiredness

Loss of appetite

Fever

Coughing up blood

36
Q

How is TB treated?

A

Antibiotic drugs

Vaccination

37
Q

TB is more common in developing countries or poor living conditions. Why?

A

Lack of education for completing courses of drug treatment

Cramped living condition

Poor ventilation

Poor health facilities

Poor diet

38
Q

Which respiratory disease causes the epithelium of the alveoli to thicken?

A

Pulmonary fibrosis

39
Q

Which occupations can increase the incidence of pulmonary fibrosis?

A

Any job where particles are in the air
Asbestos fibres - builders
Coal dust - miners
Grain dust - farmers
Bird and animal droppings - farmer/zoo keeper

40
Q

What is the biggest cause of emphysema?

A

Smoking

41
Q

Give the symptoms of emphysema

A

Shortness of breath

Shallow rapid breathing

Chronic cough

42
Q

Which lung disease results in a loss of surface area of alveoli?

A

Emphysema

43
Q

Describe in detail how alveolus are destroyed in emphysema

A

Cigarette smoke stimulates white blood cells to release enzymes

Enzymes break down walls of alveoli

Loss of elasticity as elastin is broken down

Reduces ability of lungs to reoil

Air cannot be removed from the alveoli

44
Q

What does peak flow measure?

A

Rate that air can be exhaled by a person

45
Q

Give the units used in measuring peak flow

A

Litres per minute

46
Q

What does a pulse oximeter measure?

A

Oxygen level (saturation) of blood

47
Q

Give the normal adult score for peak flow

A

400-600 litres per minute

48
Q

Describe how a peak flow test is carried out

A

Record patients height and age

Explain procedure and gain consent

Set pointer on peak flow meter to zero

Patient takes a deep breath and seal mouth round mouth piece

Keep meter horizontal

Breathe out as hard as possible

Take reading

Repeat

Use the highest volume gained

1. Medical Science JDW MASTER (16 decks)

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