Anatomy of respiratory system

Question 1

Respiratory system overview

Answer 1

Functions

• warms, filters, and humidifies air
• influences speech, homeostasis of body pH, and olfaction
• air distribution
• gas exchange
• alveoli serve as gas exchangers; all other parts of respiratory system serve as air distributors

Question 2

Respiratory structural divisions

Answer 2

1. Upper tract
   - nose - nasopharynx - oropharynx - laryngopharynx - larynx
2. Lower tract
   - trachea - bronchial tree - lungs
3. Accessory structures
   - oral cavity - rib cage - diaphragm - mm

Question 3

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Answer 3

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Question 4

External nose

Answer 4

Consists of a bony cartilaginous frame covered by skin

Question 5

Internal nose

Answer 5

Nasal cavity

• formed inferiorly by the paired palatine bones and superiority by the ethmoid bone
• sometimes the palatine bones fail to unite completely and produce a condition known as cleft palate

Question 6

Cribiform plate

Answer 6

• separates the roof of the nose from the cranial cavity
• is a portion of the ethmoid bone
• perforations allow branches of the olfactory nerve to enter the cranial cavity

Question 7

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Answer 7

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Question 8

Nasal septum

Answer 8

Divides the nasal cavity into right and left halves

• perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone (above)
• vomer bone
• septal nasal and vomeronasal cartilages (below)

Question 9

Nasal mucosa

Answer 9

Respiratory mucosa

• pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells that secrete mucus
• rich blood supply

Question 10

Paranasal sinuses

Answer 10

• external nose merges with the nasal cavtties, and posteriorly communicates with pharynx though the internal nares
• four pairs of air-containing spaces that open, or drain, into the nasal cavity
• each is lined with respiratory mucosa

Question 11

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Answer 11

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Question 12

Functions of the nose

Answer 12

1. Air that enters through the nasal cavities is filtered of impurities, warmed, moistened, chemically examined.
2. Serves as a passageway for air going to and from the lungs
3. Mucous secretions provide a “trap” for particulate matter removed from air before it travels further into the respiratory tract

Question 13

Pharynx

Answer 13

Throat

• tubelike structure that extends from the base of the skull to the esophagus
• lies just posterior to the nasal and oral cavities, superior to the larynx, and anterior to the cervical vertebrae
• made of muscle and lined with mucous membranes
  1. Nasopharynx
  2. Oropharynx
  3. Laryngopharynx

Question 14

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Answer 14

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Question 15

Nasopharynx

Answer 15

• lies behind the nose and extends to the soft palate
• contains pharyngeal tonsils (called adenoids when they are enlarged)
• has 4 openings: right and left Eustachian tubes and 2 internal/posterior nares

Question 16

Oropharynx

Answer 16

Lies form the soft palate to the level of the hyoid bone

• contains palatine and lingual tonsils
• 1 opening: fauces from the mouth

Question 17

Laryngopharynx

Answer 17

Begins at the level of the hyoid bone

• inferior end opens to the esophagus posteriorly and larynx anteriorly
• contains no tonsils
• has 2 openings: esophagus and larynx

Question 18

Functions of pharynx

Answer 18

The common pathway for both respiratory and digestive tracts

• traps foreign particles form going further into the respiratory tract
• effects phonation

Question 19

Larynx

Answer 19

Commonly called the voice box

• lies between the root of the tongue and the upper end of the trachea
• just below and in front of the lowest part of the pharynx
• triangle shaped and made up of muscles and cartilage
  1. Vestibule
  2. Vestibular folds: false vocal folds, vocal folds/cords, rima glottis i
  3. Glottis: includes the vocal folds and the rima glottidis

Question 20

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Answer 20

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Question 21

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Answer 21

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Question 22

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Answer 22

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Question 23

Cartilages of the larynx

Answer 23

9 cartilages

• 3 occur singly and are the largest
  1. Thyroid (adam’s apple)
  2. Epiglottis
  3. Cricoid
• 3 occur in pairs (smaller accessory)
  1. Arytenoid
  2. Cuneiform
  3. Corniculate

Question 24

Epiglottis

Answer 24

• during swelling, the pharynx and larynx rise. Elevation of the pharynx widens the epiglottis to receive food or drink
• elevation of the larynx causes the epiglottis to move down and form a lid over the glottis. The closing of the epiglottis routes liquids and foods into the esophagus

Question 25

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Answer 25

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Question 26

Muscles of the larynx

Answer 26

• control vocal cord length
• regulate the shape of the larynx
• aid in respiration by abducting the vocal folds
• during swallowing the laryngeal mm prevent food from entering into the trachea

Question 27

Functions of the larynx

Answer 27

• the mucous membrane helps in the removal of dust particles and in warming and humidification of inspired air
• integral in voice production
• prevents food from entering respiratory tract

Question 28

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Answer 28

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Question 29

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Answer 29

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Question 30

Lower respiratory system

Answer 30

• trachea - bronchial tree - lungs

Question 31

Trachea

Answer 31

The windpipe

• lies from the larynx to the primary bronchi
• about 11 cm (4.5 inches) long and 2.5 (1 inch) in diameter
• contains smooth muscle with cartilage rings

Question 32

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Answer 32

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Question 33

Functions of trachea

Answer 33

Open passageway for air to reach the lungs

• aid in trapping foreign particles from entering the lung
• obstruction of this airway for even a few minutes causes death from asphyxiation

Question 34

Bronchi and alveoli

Answer 34

• the lower end of the trachea divides into two primary bronchi, right and left
• each primary bronchus enters the lung on its respective side
• right bronchus is larger and more vertical than the left

Question 35

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Answer 35

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Question 36

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Answer 36

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Question 37

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Answer 37

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Question 38

Alveoli

Answer 38

• the respiratory bronchioles eventually divide into the alveolar ducts
• comprised of many alveoli
• alveoli are the primary gas exchange structures
• 300 million alveoli are estimated to be present in the lungs
• each alveolus has thin walls allowing for easy exchange of gases (O2, CO2) to nearby capillaries
• the inside the respiratory membrane of each alveolus has a slick surfactant
• reduces surface tension (the force of attraction between water molecules)
• helps prevent each alveolus from collapsing and sticking shut

Question 39

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Answer 39

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Question 40

Functions of bronchi and alveoli

Answer 40

1. Bronchi function
   - similar to trachea
   - conduct air
   - moisten and humidify air
   - aid in trapping foreign particles
   - cilia responsible for moving the mucus upward towards the pharynx
2. Alveoli function
   - gas exchange between air and blood

Question 41

Lungs

Answer 41

• paired, cone-shaped structures
• located from just above clavicles to T10
• inferior aspect = base
• superior aspect = apex
• hilum
  1. Slit in the medial surface of each lung
  2. Root of the lung enters through the hilum, primary bronchi and the pulmonary vessels bound together

Question 42

Divisions of the lung

Answer 42

1. Left lung: superior and inferior lungs

2. Right lung: superior, middle, and inferior

Question 43

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Answer 43

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Question 44

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Answer 44

Pci

Question 45

Lung functions

Answer 45

1. Air distribution

2. Gas exchange

Question 46

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Answer 46

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Question 47

Pleura

Answer 47

• pleura lines the thoracic wall and visceral organs
• parietal pleura: lines entire throracic cavity
• visceral pleura: lines lungs
• intrapleural space: filled with fluid - allows for smooth respiration

Question 48

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Answer 48

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