Anatomy of the Respiratory System Flashcards
Anatomy sheet
Why is it recommended for a person to breathe out of their nose?
The nasal cavity fulfills several functions that the oral cavity does not, including humidification, warming and filtering of the inhaled air
How is the nasal cavity able to carry out its functions?
Partly due to the three nasal conchae (nasal turbinates) on the lateral walls of the nasal cavities
These are projections of bone (covered in soft tissue) into the nasal cavities, separated by nasal meatuses
How are the nasal conchae and nasal meatuses organised?
Both the conchae and meatuses are separated into superior, middle and inferior
The corresponding concha is next to the corresponding meatus (e.g., superior concha is next to the superior meatus)
How can the three conchae and meatuses be useful?
They increase the surface area of the nasal cavities- meaning that there is more surface for the air to touch the tissue, and so more surface to pick up heat and moisture
Why is it necessary for heated air to pass through the respiratory tract?
Air that is too cold or too dry can cause irritation of the respiratory tract when inhaled
Why are connections to the sinuses from the conchae and meatuses important?
They help to drain the sinuses
Sinuses (and connections to them) also help with humidification and amplification of speech
Where does the air travel to as it passes through the nasal/oral cavities?
To the pharynx
How can the epiglottis be described?
A large teardrop shaped cartilage behind the tongue but in front of the larynx
How can the larynx and epiglottis be linked together?
The epiglottis can close the opening to the larynx
What is the importance of the function of the epiglottis?
As it closes the opening to the larynx, it can close of the respiratory tract from the oesophagus, preventing food and drink from entering it during swallowing
How is the opening of the larynx closed?
Closed primarily by the rest of the larynx rising to the epiglottis, instead of the epiglottis going down to the rest of the larynx
What is the common name of the laryngeal prominence?
Adam’s apple (thyroid cartilage)
What is the importance of the laryngeal prominence?
When swallowing, it moves up towards the larynx
How can the vocal cords be identified?
Two cords attached to small cartilages on the larynx
How do the vocal cords control the pitch of the voice and speaking?
When the small cartilages move, the vocal cords also move and their tension is adjusted- therefore controlling when we talk, when exhaling and adjusting pitch of the voice
How does the adjusting if the tension of the vocal chords allow the voice to change?
Sound waves have less room to reverberate
What is the physiological importance of the vocal chords?
They mark the border between the upper and the lower respiratory tract
Where does the larynx end?
Beneath the vocal chords, and the airway continues to the trachea
What is the trachea?
A series of C-shaped cartilages with soft tissue completing the ring and found in between (and underlying) the cartilage
What does the trachea divide into?
The bronchi, with each bronchus dividing smaller and smaller
How are the lungs divided?
The lungs are divided into lobes, which are functionally and anatomically separated from each other
What is the benefit of the lung compartimentalisation?
Each lobe has its own separate blood supply and bronchi
The compartimentalisation of the lung lobes means that infections and other conditions can be in one area and the spread of them is minimised
Surgically why are lobes beneficial?
Only the infected/affected lobe must be removed
Why does the left lung have less lobes?
The left lung has 2 lobes and this is due to the heart laying on the left side of the body, so the left lung has less space and so has a larger superior lobe
What is a pulmonary lobule?
The point at which the final level of the bronchi divide into bronchioles to supply the alveoli
What is an adaptation of the alveoli for sufficient gas exchange?
Large surface area
How is the surface of the alveolus well adapted for gas exchange?
Many folds to increase the surface area of the alveolus for sufficient gas exchange
Why are thin moist walls also an adaptational advantage for alveoli?
Thin moist walls reduce the friction of the blood supply and so maintains the concentration gradient
Produces a short diffusion pathway with a large surface area to volume ratio
