Chapter 1: Airways and Alveoli Flashcards
The process of moving gas in and out of the lungs
Ventilation
The process of moving oxygen and carbon dioxide between air and blood
Respiration
Connect atmospheric air with the gas exchange membrane of the lungs
Conducting airways (do not participate in gas exchange, simply provide the pathway by which inspired air reaches the gas-exchange surface)
Consists of the nose, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx
Upper airways
Marks transition between upper and lower airways
Larynx
Mucus-secreting epithelium
Respiratory mucosa
Main functions of the nose
Humidification, heating, and filtering of inspired air
Involves the insertion of an artificial airway (endotracheal tube) through the nose or mouth and into the trachea. Bypasses the nose
Intubation
Comes from the Greek word meaning “throat”
Pharynx
Portion behind the nasal cavities that extends down to the soft palate
Nasopharynx
The space behind the oral cavity, is bounded superiorly by the soft palate and inferiorly by the base of the tongue
Oropharynx
The space below the base of the tongue and above the larynx
Laryngopharynx
Also called auditory tubes. Connect the middle ear with the nasopharynx. Allow pressure equalization between the middle ear and atmosphere
Eustachian tubes
Mechanically ventilated patients in whom endotracheal intubation is required are susceptible to the development of this lung infection
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
Recurring cessation of breathing may occur during sleep due to an abnormal enlargement of soft tissues that can further narrow or occlude the airway
Sleep Apnea
A thin, flat, leaf-shaped cartilage that rises above the glottis
Epiglottis
Inflammation of the epiglottis and is a life-threatening emergency in infants and requires immediate placement of an artificial airway
Epiglottitis
A longer-term surgical opening into the airway and is generally located 1 to 3 cm below the cricoid cartilage
Tracheostomy
Common cause of partial upper airway obstruction in infants and young children
Croup
Characteristic high-pitched crowing sound during croup inspiration
Stridor
The laryngeal reflex causes the vocal cords inside the larynx to close the tracheal opening. This occurs if anything except air enters the trachea
Laryngospasm
The branches of the trachea and branch; resemble an inverted tree
Tracheobranchial tree
The point of tracheal division
Carina
Terminal air sacs
Alveoli
The essential supportive tissue that composes the lung
Parenchyma
Smooth muscle contraction
Bronchospasm
Airways that don’t participate in gas exchange
Dead space
Airways less than 1 mm in diameter that contain no cartilage in their walls
Bronchioles
Divide to form several generations of respiratory bronchioles around the 19th to 20th generation. This marks the beginning of the respiratory, or gas-exchange, zone
Terminal Bronchioles
The functional respiratory unit of the lung. The airways branching off of a terminal bronchiole. All alveoli are contained here
Acinus
Connect adjacent alveoli with one another
Pores of Kohn
Connect terminal bronchioles with nearby alveoli
Canals of Lambert
Function of the lungs
Bring atmospheric gases into contact with blood. Lungs must protect itself from environmental contaminents
Process of moving gas in and out of the lungs
Ventilation
Process of moving oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and the air
Respiration
Occurs between air in the lungs and blood
External Respiration
What effects the way gases move?
Diffusion
Connect the atmospheric air with the gas-exchange membrane of lungs. Don’t participate in gas exchange
Conducting airways
Respiratory bronchioles mark the beginning of the respiratory or gas exchange zone
Alveoli
Makes up the upper airway
Nose, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx
Main purpose of the nose
Warm, humidify, filter inspired gas. Breathing route of choice for adults. Contains immunoglobins and anti-inflammatory cells
Creates 3 irregular passages known as turbinates
Nasal Conchae
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium covers the posterior 2/3rds of the nose. Dilate or constrict based on temp
Respiratory mucosa
At this point, the air gains water vapor and heat. Exhaled air cools as it leaves the nose
Nasopharynx
Medical procedure involving the insertion of an artificial airway through the nose or mouth and into the trachea. Bypasses the heat and humidification provided by the nose.
Intubation
Space behind the nasal cavity that extends down behind the tongue and larynx
Pharynx
Control gag reflex
Glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves
Acts as a valve on top of the trachea. Adam’s Apple, thyroid cartilage
Larynx
Prevents aspiration of food and liquid. Covers opening of larynx during swallowing
Epiglottis
Space between epiglottis and tongue. Important landmark during intubation
Vallecula
Forms triangular opening into trachea. Can open and close. Helps us speak and cough
Vocal cords/glottis
Swelling of the vocal cords caused by parainfluenza/viral infections
Croup
Only complete ring that encircles the larynx. Narrowest portion of airway in infants. Vocal cords lie just above it
Cricoid Cartilage
Cricothyroid membrane is used as puncture site for an emergency airway opening when structures above are occluded. This is the emergency operation
Tracheostomy
Located below the larynx. Each airway divides into two smaller daughter airways. Resembles an inverted tree. 23 generations total
Lower Airways
Conducting zone. Includes the trachea, main stem bronchi, segmental bronchi, sub segmental bronchi, bronchioles, terminal bronchioles
Tracheobronchial tree
Extends from larynx to carina. 11 to 13 cm long
Trachea
Angles at 20-30 degrees from midline. More vertical than L side. Supported by C-shaped cartilage
R Mainstem Bronchus
Breaks away more sharply, 45-55 degree angle at midline. Supported by C-shaped Cartilage
L Mainstem Bronchus
Mainstem bronchi divide to form the ______ bronchi, which undergo several divisions to form segmental subsegmental bronchi
Lobar Bronchi
Basis for postural drainage for respiratory disease, which produce large amounts of secretions
Segmental Bronch/Tertiary
Two layers of mucus blanket
Gel and Sol layer
Gas exchange surface of epithelial cells in the alveolar epithelium
Type I
Surfactant layer of epithelial cells in the alveolar epithelium
Type II
