Anatomy of Breathing Flashcards
what is the respiratory tree?
a set of tubes that connect the nose and mouth with the alveoli
what covers the walls of the alveoli?
capillaries
where does the upper respiratory tract end?
larynx
where does the lower respiratory tract begin?
trachea
where does the URT become the LRT?
at the level of C6
what happens to the larynx at the level of C6?
it becomes the trachea
what happens to the pharynx at the level of C6?
it becomes the oesophagus
what is each area of lung supplied by a lobar bronchus called?
a lung lobe
how many lobes does the right lung have?
three
how many lobes does the left lung have?
two
what is a bronchopulmonary segment?
the area of lung supplied by one segmental bronchus
how many bronchopulmonary segments does each lung have?
10
what separates the lung lobes?
fissures
what lines the inside of the bronchial tree?
respiratory epithelium
which two parts of the bronchial tree have a different lining to the rest?
distal bronchioles
alveoli
what two unique features are found on respiratory epithelium?
mucous glands
cilia
describe the mucociliary escalator
mucous traps pathogens, and is then sweeped up and out by the cilia
what can interfere with the normal beating of the cilia?
cooling and drying of the mucosa
toxins in cigarette smoke
what supports the walls of the trachea and bronchi?
hyaline cartilage
what parts of the respiratory tree contain NO cartilage?
alveoli
distal bronchioles
what is the most prominent feature in the walls of the bronchioles, and what does this allow?
smooth muscle
allows them to contract and dilate
what is wheeze?
the sound air makes as it passes through constricted airways
how many nasal cavities are there?
two
what separates the nasal cavities?
the nasal septum
what makes up the nasal septum?
posterior = ethmoid bone and vomer anterior = cartilage
what forms the floor of the nasal cavities?
the palate