Chapter 3: The Respiratory System Flashcards
Define functions and importance
What is the respiratory system?
It provides a supply of oxygen for metabolic processes that are necessary to maintain life and removes the waste products of metabolism
Helps regulate the ph of the blood
Aids the body in the exchange of gases between air and blood, and between the blood and the body’s billions of cells
Helps the body maintain homeostasis or balance among the many elements of the body’s external environment
What is the function of the Tranchea (windpipe)
Serves as a passage for air, and moistens and warms it while it passes into the lungs
Protects the respiratory surface from an accumulation of foreign particles
What is the function of the lungs?
Allows us to breathe
Bring oxygen into our bodies (called inspiration or inhilation) and send carbon dioxide out (called expiration or exhalation)
What is the function of the bronchus?
Distributes the air throughout the lungs until reaching the respiratory brochioles and alveolar sacs
What is the function of the Pulmonary alveolus?
They are any of the small air spaces in the lungs where carbon dioxide leaves the blood and oxygen enters it
What is the function of the larynx (voice box)?
Permits speech and allows air to pass into the lungs while blocking food and drink from entering
Protects the lower airways; facilitates respiration and plays a key role in phonation
What is the function of the bronchioles?
Delivers air to a diffuse network f around 300 million alveoli in the lungs
As you breath, oxygenated air is pulled into the bronchioles
What is the function of a pharynx (throat)?
Acts as a passage way for air en route for the lungs
The mucosal epithelium in the pharynx is thicker than anywhere else in the respiratory tract as it has to protect the tissues from any abrasive and chemical trauma caused by food
What is the function of the nasal cavity?
Allows air to enter the respiratory system upon respiration
Regulates the flow of air and particles it contains
Regualtes the sense of smell
What is the function of the nose?
Detects odor molecules and helps filter and warm the air we inhale
What is the function of the diaphragm?
Upon inhalation the diaphragm contracts and flattens
What is the function of paranasal sinuses?
They lighten the weight of the head
They humidify and heat inhaled air
Increase the resonance of speech
Serve as a crumple zone to protect vital structure in the event of facial trauma
What is the importance of the respiratory system?
The air we breathe is made up of several gases
Oxygen is the most important for keeping us alive because body cells need it for energy and growth
Without respiration, without oxygen, the body cells would die
Describe the mechanism of inhaling and exhaling?
When the diaphragm contracts, it moves down towards the abdomen
This movement of muscles causes the lungs to expand and fill it with air, like a bellow 《inhalation 》
Conversely, when the muscles relax, the thoracic cavity gets smaller, the volume of the lungs decreases, and air is expelled 《exhalation 》
