Anatomy Flashcards
What are the functions of the respiratory system?
- As an oxygen supplier(To keep the body constantly supplied with oxygen).
- For elimination of carbon dioxide.
- Gas exchange(Oversee the gas exchanges that occur between the blood and the external environment).
- Passageway(So as to allow air to reach the lungs).
- Humidifier(Purify, humidify and warm incoming air).
What are the organs of the respiratory system?
- Nose
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Bronchi and their smaller branches
- Lungs which contain alveoli
During breathing, air enters the nose passing through the _________.
nostrils
The interior of the nose consists of the ___________ , divided by a midline _____________.
nasal cavity;nasal septum
What is the function of Olfactory receptors and where are they located?
- For the sense of smell.
- They are located in the mucosa in the slitlike superior part of the nasal cavity, just beneath the ethmoid bone.
What is the function of the Respiratory mucosa?
It warms the air as it flow past due to the immense vascularity of the mucosa.
What is mucus and its function?
- It is a sticky substance produced by the mucosa’s glands.
- It moistens the air and traps incoming bacteria and other foreign debris.
What is the purpose of lysozymes enzymes in mucus?
It destroys bacteria chemically.
What is the function of ciliated cells?
The ciliated cells of the nasal mucosa create a gentle current that moves the sheet of contaminated mucus posteriorly toward the throat, where it is swallowed and digested by stomach juices.
What is the function of the conchae?
- Increases the surface area of the mucosa exposed to the air.
- Increase the air turbulence in the nasal cavity.
What are the two types of palates?
Hard palate and soft palate.
What is the hard palate and its location?
It is a palate supported by bone and is located anteriorly.
What is the soft palate and its location?
It is the unsupported posterior part.
What are paranasal sinuses?
They are cavities in the bones of the face and the cranium which contain air.
What are the functions of the paranasal sinuses?
- To lighten the skull
- To provide resonance for the voice
Where are the paranasal sinuses located in the nasal cavity?
They are located in the frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid and maxillary bones.
The paranasal sinuses are lined with _________________ which contains __________________ and the _______ produced drains into the ______________.
ciliated epithelium; mucus-secreting globlet cells; mucus; nasal cavities
Describe the pharynx taking into consideration its size?
-It is a muscular passageway about 13 cm long that extends from the base of the skull to the level of the 6th cervical vertebra.
Note: Commonly called the throat.
What is the function of the pharynx?
It serves as a common passageway for food and air.
What are the portions of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
What are the pharyngotympanic tubes?
They are tubes which drain the middle ear cavities into the nasopharynx and allow middle ear pressure to equalize with atmospheric pressure.
Where is the pharyngeal tonsil located?
- It is located high in the nasopharynx.
- It is also called adenoid.
Where are the palatine tonsils located?
They are located in the oropharynx at the end of the soft palate.
Where are the lingual tonsils located/
They lie at the base of the tongue.
What is the purpose of the Larynx?
The larynx or voice box routes air and food into the proper channels and plays a role in speech.
Where is the Larynx located?
It is located inferior to the pharynx.
Define the structure of the Larynx?
It is formed by eight rigid hyaline cartilages and a spoon-shaped flap of elastic cartilage, the epiglottis.
Define the structure of the Thyroid cartilages?
- It is the largest of the hyaline cartilages.
- It makes a shield-shaped form, which protrudes anteriorly.
- Also know as the Adam’s Apple.
What is the epiglottis?
- It is referred to as the “guardian of the airways”.
- It is a leaf-shaped fibroelastic cartilage.
What is the function of the epiglottis?
The epiglottis protects the superior opening of the larynx.
What are vocal folds?
They are part of the mucous membrane of the larynx and forms a pair of folds also known as true vocal cords.
Define the structure of vocal folds?
- They are a pair of vocal ligaments and are composed largely of elastic fibers.
- They appear pearly white because they lack blood vessels.
What are the function of vocal folds?
The vibrate with expelled air and thus allowing speech.
The vocal folds and the medial opening between them through which air passes are called the ________.
glottis
What is the length of the trachea and it reaches till which vertebra?
- About 10 to 12 cm.
- It reaches to the level of the fifth thoracic vertebra.
Define the structure of the trachea?
The trachea is a fairly rigid structure which is reinforced with C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage.
What is the function of the trachea?
- For support(To keep the passageway from collapsing during inhalation).
- For pantency.
What is the function of cilia in the trachea?
They propel mucus loaded with dust particles and other debris away from the lungs to the throat where it can be swallowed or expectorated.
The right and left main ________ are formed by the division of the trachea.
brochi
The ____________ is a wider, shorter tube than the ______________ and it lies in a more __________ position.
right bronchus; left bronchus; vertical
The right bronchus is approximately _______ long.
2.5 cm
The ____________ is narrower than the _____________.
left bronchus; right bronchus
The left bronchus is approximately ______ long.
5 cm
Where are the bronchi located?
They are located approximately at T7 vertebra in an erect person.
Where are the lungs located?
The lungs occupy the entire thoracic cavity except for the most central area, the mediastinum.
What is the apex of the lungs?
- It is the upper pointed tip of the lungs.
- It is the narrow superior portion of each lung.
Name the surface of the lung lying against the ribs?
The costal surface.
The broad inferior portion of the lung resting on the diaphragm is the ______.
base
The lungs contain _________ that divide each lung into lobes.
fissures
The left lung has ____ lobes and the right lung has ____ lobes.
two; three
Both lungs have a common fissure called the ________ fissure.
oblique
Only the right lung has a ___________ fissure.
horizontal
What is the pleura that covers the surface of each lung?
Pulmonary or visceral pleura(visceral serosa)
What is the pleura that lines the walls of the thoracic cavity?
Parietal pleura
What is the slippery serous secretion that the pleural membranes produces?
Pleural fluid
What is the function of pleural fluid?
- It reduces friction of the membranes.
- Causes surface tension by making the pleural layers cling together.
What is the pleural space?
It is the space where pleural fluid is found.
What are bronchioles?
- They are the smallest conducting passageways.
- Passages < 1 mm in diameter are called bronchioles.
- Passages < 0.5 mm in diameter are called terminal bronchioles.
What are alveoli?
- They are air sacs.
- They are the functional unit of the lungs.
The respiratory zone consist of which structures?
- Respiratory bronchioles
- Alveolar ducts
- Alveolar sacs
- Alveoli
Note:-The respiratory zone is the only site for gas exchange
-All other respiratory passages are conducting zone structures.
The balance of lung tissue is called _______.
stroma
Describe the structure of the alveoli?
The walls of the alveoli are composed largely of a single, thin layer of squamous epithelial cells.
What is the function of Alveolar pores?
It connects neighbouring air sacs and provide alternative routes for air to reach alveoli if their brochi are collapsed or obstructed.
What is the function of the respiratory membrane?
It helps form the air-blood barrier and allows diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What is the function of Alveolar macrophages?
They wander in and out of the alveoli consuming bacteria, dust and other debris.
What are the 3 major types of cells found in the alveoli?
- Squamous epithelial cells
- Cuboidal epithelial cells
- Alveolar macrophages
What is the function of cuboidal epithelial cells?
It produces a lipid(fat) molecule called surfactant which coats the gas-exposed alveolar surfaces.
