chapter 10 The Respiratory System Flashcards
Tidal Volume
500 ml
Amount of Air inhaled/exhaled in one breath
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
Male - 3100 ml
Female- 1900ml
Amount of air that can be inhaled with maximum effort above tidal inspiration.
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
Male- 1200 ml
Female- 700 ml
Amount of air that can be exhaled with maximum effort above tidal exhalation
Residual Volume (RV)
Male- 1200ml
Female- 1100 ml
Amount of air left in the lungs after exhalation with maximum effort- Keeps alveoli inflated between breaths
Vital Capacity (VC)
Male - 4800 ml
Female - 3100 ml
Amount of air exhaled with maximum effort after maximum inspiration ( Vt + IRV + ERV = VC)
Inspiratory Capacity (IC)
Male - 3600ml
Female - 2400ml
Maximum amount of air inhaled after a normal exhalation ( Vt + IRV= IC)
Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)
Male: 2400ml
Female: 1800ml
Amount of air remaining in lungs after exhalation (RV+ERV=FRC)
Total Lung Capacity (TLC)
Male: 6000ml
Female: 4200ml
maximum amount of air that the lungs can hold (RV+VC=TLC)
Why does our body need the respiratory system?
It gives us a big area to swap gases (like oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the air and our blood.
What does the respiratory system do with air?
It moves air in and out of the lungs so we can get oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide.
How does the respiratory system protect our lungs?
It keeps the lungs safe from: dehydration, extreme temperatures, and other environmental changes.
How does the respiratory system help protect us from germs?
It defends the lungs and other parts of the body from getting attacked by harmful pathogens.
Respiratory functions?
- It helps with gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the air and blood
- moves air in and out of the lungs,
- protects the lungs from dehydration and temperature changes,
- defends against pathogens.
How does the respiratory system help regulate blood pH?
By changing the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, which affects pH levels.
What role does the respiratory system play in communication?
It produces sounds for speaking, singing, and non-verbal communication.
How does the respiratory system contribute to our sense of smell?
It provides olfactory sensations to the brain from the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity.
What chemical function does the respiratory system perform?
It produces chemical mediators that help regulate various body processes.
What are the two functional zones of the respiratory system?
The Conducting Zone (carries gases) and the Respiratory Zone (where gas exchange occurs).
What muscles are involved in the respiratory system?
The Intercostal muscles and the Diaphragm.
What organs are in the Upper Respiratory Tract?
- Nose and nasal cavity
- Pharynx
- Larynx
What organs are in the Lower Respiratory Tract?
1.Trachea
2. Two bronchi
3. Bronchioles
4. Two lungs
What is the primary function of the nose and nasal cavity?
It is the primary passage for air entering the respiratory tract.
How does air enter the nose?
Air enters through the vestibule, which is the flexible tissue of the nose.
What is the role of the course hairs in the nasal vestibule?
They trap large airborne particles, preventing them from entering the nasal cavity.
What divides the nasal cavity into two portions?
The nasal septum divides the nasal cavity into right and left portions.
What is the function of the superior portion of the nasal cavity?
It is the olfactory region, responsible for the sense of smell.
What are conchae and what do they do?
Conchae are structures in the nasal cavity that:
- Increase surface area,
- Contain blood vessels that deliver heat and moisture,
- Secrete fluid to keep the nasal cavity clean and moist.
What is the pharynx?
It is a hollow, muscular structure lined with epithelial tissue that starts behind the nasal cavities and is divided into three parts.
What happens in the nasopharynx?
- Air enters here.
- It has tonsils and eustachian tubes.
What happens in the oropharynx?
- Air moves through here after nasopharynx.
- It also handles anything you swallow.
-Tonsils are here too.
-Uvula and soft palate moves to protect the nose when you swallow.
What’s special about the laryngopharynx
It’s for both breathing and eating.
It directs food to the stomach and air to the lungs.
What’s the path air takes through the pharynx?
Nasopharynx → Oropharynx → Laryngopharynx.
What is the larynx also known as?
voice box
What is the larynx made of?
t’s composed of several types of cartilage.
How does the larynx help with speech?
It’s connected by muscles and ligaments that move the vocal cords to control speech.
What do the thyroid and cricoid cartilage do?
They provide structural support to the airways, preventing them from collapsing and blocking airflow to and from the lungs.
What is the glottis?
It’s the opening that leads into the larynx and eventually to the lungs.
What does the epiglottis do?
It’s a leaf-shaped flap that covers the larynx when you swallow to prevent food from entering the lungs and opens when you breathe.
What is the function of the vocal cords?
They divide the upper and lower airways.
The lower airway starts below the vocal cords.
Where does the trachea begin and end?
It begins under the larynx and runs down behind the sternum, eventually dividing into two primary bronchi, one for each lung.
What happens after the trachea divides?
It divides into primary bronchi, then further into secondary and tertiary bronchi, and eventually into bronchioles.
What is the trachea made of?
It’s composed of about 20 rings of tough cartilage.
What is the function of the fibrous, elastic outer layer of the trachea?
It ensures the trachea has no kinks, folds, or obstructions as the head and neck move.
What does the middle layer of the trachea (cartilage and smooth muscle) do?
It allows the trachea to change shape and accommodate the food bolus in the esophagus.
What does the inner lining of the trachea consist of, and what is its function?
It has ciliated epithelium with goblet cells that secrete mucus. The mucus traps debris, and the cilia move it toward the pharynx to be swallowed.
What do the nerve endings in the trachea do?
They are sensitive to irritation, triggering the cough reflex when necessary.
📌 What is Respiration?
- Process of O₂ & CO₂ exchange between the atmosphere and body cells.
- Happens in three phases: Pulmonary Ventilation, External Respiration, Internal Respiration.
🌬️ Pulmonary Ventilation (Breathing)
- Inhalation (Inspiration): Air moves into lungs.
- Exhalation (Expiration): Air moves out of lungs.
Goal: Exchange air between atmosphere & alveoli.
🔄 External Respiration (Lungs → Blood)
O₂ moves: Alveoli → Pulmonary Capillaries.
CO₂ moves: Pulmonary Capillaries → Alveoli (to be exhaled).
Happens across: Respiratory membrane.
🩸 Internal Respiration (Blood → Tissues)
O₂ moves: Systemic Capillaries → Tissues (for energy).
CO₂ moves: Tissues → Systemic Capillaries (to be exhaled).
🫁 Respiratory Control = Negative Feedback
Goal: Keep O₂, CO₂, and pH balanced.
How? Adjusting depth & rate of breathing.
Nervous Control (Brain Regulation)
🔹 Where?
Medulla & Pons in CNS.
Phrenic nerve → Diaphragm controls breathing.
🔹 Respiratory Centers:
✅ Pneumotaxic Center (Pons): Stops inhalation → prevents lung overinflation.
✅ Apneustic Center (Pons): Prolongs inhalation → deeper breaths.
✅ Medullary Inspiratory Center (Medulla): Triggers inhalation by stimulating diaphragm & external intercostals.
🔹 Expiration:
Normal: Relaxation of muscles.
Forced expiration: Internal intercostals & abdominals contract.
Chemical Control (Blood Chemistry Monitors)
1️⃣ Central Chemoreceptors (Medulla, CNS):
Detect pH changes in CSF.
⬇️ pH = ⬆️ Breathing rate to remove CO₂.
2️⃣ Peripheral Chemoreceptors (PNS - Aorta & Carotid Arteries):
Monitor O₂, CO₂, and pH in blood.
⬆️ CO₂ or ⬇️ O₂ = Stimulates breathing.
3️⃣ Stretch Receptors (Bronchi & Bronchioles):
Detect lung expansion.
Activate Hering-Breuer Reflex → stops inhalation, starts exhalation.
Brain =
Nervous Control (Medulla/Pons)
Blood =
Chemical Control (Chemoreceptors).
Lungs =
Stretch Receptors (Prevent overinflation)
External Respiration
- Exchange between alveoli and pulmonary circulation
Internal Respiration
- Exchange between systemic circulation and tissues/ cells
