Chapter 23: Respiratory System Flashcards
What happens when good air is going in?
O2 leaves the alveolar sac and enters the capillaries
What happens when bad air is going out?
CO2 leaves the capillaries and enters the alveolar sacs
What’s the difference between type 1 and type 2 alveolar cells?
Type 1: single layer of simple squamous cell; Type 2: secretes surfactant which helps prevent the alveolar from collapsing and reduces surface tension
What are the (3) functions of the respiratory system?
- Pulmonary ventilation (releases air) 2. Olfaction (ability to smell) 3. Vocalization (ability to communicate verbally)
What can be found in the upper respiratory system?
nasal, nasal conchae, paranasal sinus, nasal cavity , nasal pharynx
What can be found in the lower respiratory system?
larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs
Why does our left lung only have two lobes?
Due to the heart being shoved into the left side of the thoracic cage the right lung is bigger giving room for more lobes
Where does the heart fit on the left lung?
the cardiac notch
What is the name of the surface where our lungs face our ribcage?
coastal surface
What is the name of the surface where our lungs meet with the diaphragm?
diaphragm surface
What causes our lungs to stretch and retract so easily?
internal elasticity
What is the space between our lung and thoracic wall that helps keep our lungs inflated?
pleura
What are the two pleuras that make up the lining of the lungs where the pleural cavity is found inbetween?
visceral pleura: lines the outer surface; parietal pleura: lines the inner surface
What separated the right and left pleural cavity?
mediastinum
What fluid is also found inbetween the visceral and parietal pleural cavity and its function?
pleural fluid reduces friction and it is secreted by simple squamous epithelium cell
What happens in the conducting zone?
- conducts air to return to the respiratory zone
- gas exchange occurs
- warms + humidifies the air
What ciliated mucus membrane is found in the conducting zone from the nasal cavity to the bronchioles?
pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells
Where in the conducting zone can you find stratified squamous epithelium?
the oral pharynx and laryngeal pharynx
Why is it important to humidify and warm the air we inhale?
because we could damage our cells in the respiratory tract because it will be dehydrated and to not freeze our lungs.
What are the three parts to the pharynx?
- nasopharynx: located in the back of our nose
- oropharynx: located in the back of our mouth
- laryngopharynx: entrance to the trachea and esophagus
What are the three parts of the larynx?
- thyroid cartilage: hyaline cartilage present;
- cricoid cartilage: hyaline cartilage present
- epiglottis: elastic cartilage present
How is sound produced?
as air passes the glottis vibrates the true fold which creates sound
What is another name for the laryngeal prominence?
the Addam’s apple
What are the two folds within the epiglottis in the glottis?
true vocal and false vocal fold
What makes the false vocal cord, false?
this vocal fold does not have enough elastic to produce sound
What sounds are produced when the vocal cords fold together or when they pull away?
together: very high pitched sound
pulled away: very deep sound
How are children or some people able to aspirate foreign objects into their lungs?
Due to the right lung and the right primary bronchus being larger than the left
At the lung what enters the hilum?
each main bronchus
What are the branching of the bronchi’s?
- each main divides to form the lobar bronchi
- lobar bronchi branches to form the segmental bronchi
- lobar bronchi divides into the superior/inferior/middle lobar bronchus
- segmental bronchi branches multiple times to form bronchioles
- bronchioles branch into terminal bronchioles
What are the characteristics of terminal bronchioles?
- small
- self supporting
- smooth muscle
- branches into several respiratory bronchioles (attached to alveolar ducts)
What purpose does the intrinsic laryngeal muscle play?
- controls the opening and closing of the glottis
- regulates tension in vocal chords which allows sounds to either be high or deep
- prevents food + liquids from entering the glottis
What purpose does the extrinsic laryngeal muscle play?
- moves up & down
- binds the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone & cricoid cartilage
- connects the larynx to nearby structures
Explain the air pathway in the upper respiratory system?
air goes into nostril, passes the nasal vestibule, enters nasal cavity, air flows in + around the nasal conchae (air gets warmed, humidified and removes any unwanted debris)
What does pleuritis mean?
too much pleural fluid
What is the purpose of pulmonary ventilation?
moves air in and out of lungs physically
What is the purpose of respiratory muscles?
primary and accessory muscles
For primary muscles, what happens when the diaphragm relaxes/contract?
relaxes: causes exhalation, raises
contracts: causes inhalation, lowers
For primary muscles, what happens when the external intercostals relaxes or contracts?
- elevates ribs to aid inhalation
- contract: increases rib cage
- relaxes: chest gets smaller
For primary muscles, what happens when the internal intercostals relaxes or contracts?
- depresses the ribs to aid in exhalation
- contract: increases rib cage
- relaxes: chest gets smaller
What happens when the tracheal muscle contracts or relaxes?
contract: decrease lumen
relaxes: increase lumen
What is the weakest cartilage and its characteristic?
hyaline
- allows swallowed food to go down smoothly
- flexible
- avascular
What happens to people who struggle or have emphysema?
- alveolar sac degenerates
- too weak to walk
- air + blood flow get affected
- chronic bronchitis is also found in patients too
What are things significant about asthma that make it what it is?
- tightening of smooth muscle
- inflammation in the air passage
- shortness of breath & chest tightening
