Anatomy of Resp System Flashcards
Purpose of the respiratory system
Oxygenate and ventilate
What type of blood does the pulmonary artery carry?
Deoxygenated
What type of blood does the pulmonary vein carry?
Oxygenated
What is the vallecula?
Space anterior to root of epiglottis at root on tongue
Where is the larynx anatomically located?
o Adult – 3rd-6th cervical vertebrae
o At birth – C3-4
o Between pharynx and trachea
What is the Rima Glottidis?
in adults, the narrowest portion of the upper airway
What is the Cricoid Ring?
in children, the narrowest part of the upper airway, cone shaped narrowing inferiorly until age 8
All the intrinsic muscles are innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) except for
Cricothyroid muscle – innervated by external superior laryngeal nerve (SLN)
The RLN and SLN branch off which CN?
X
Stimulation of the RLN causes
Abduction of vocal cords
Damage of the RLN causes
Adduction of vocal cords
Internal SLN provides sensation to
supraglottic and ventricle component. STIMULATION CAUSES LARYNGOSPASMS
External SLN provided motor innervation to
cricothyroid muscle
Where is the cricothyroid membrane located?
inferior to true VCs, below thyroid cartilage
What does the Sellicks maneuver do?
aligns glottic opening for intubation
Location where the trachea divides into 2 bronchi
Carina
Where is the carina located?
o T5-7
o 25 cm from teeth
Why might you intubate right main bronchus instead of left main?
Right primary bronchus is slightly straight and wider
Do conducting airways participate in gas exchange?
No, VENTILATION BUT NO PERFUSION
Where does gas exchange start?
Respiratory bronchial
Also occurs in: resp ducts/sacs and alveoli
What does simple diffusion do?
Allows gaseous exchange between airspaces and pulmonary capillaries
What is a type 1 Pneumocyte?
Flat thin cells designed to increase alveolar surface area. Thin surface increases gas exchange. Squamous cells. Cover 95% of alveolar wall.
What does a type 2 Pneumocyte excrete?
Surfactant
What is surfactant?
Mix of proteins phospholipids and ions
What does surfactant do?
o Mixes with water molecules and decreases the cohesiveness thus diminishing surface tension of alveolar fluid which reduces the force necessary to inflate the alveoli and facilitate breathing
o Prevents alveolar collapse during expiration
What type of muscle do bronchials have?
Thick O smooth muscle –> bronchospasm = airway resistance
What does stimulation to the internal SLN cause?
LARYNGOSPASMS
