Chapter 6 - Respiratory System Flashcards
What passes through the pharynx?where is it located?
Located behind the nasal cavity, at the back of the mouth.
Pathway for air that is going to the lungs, and for food that is going to the esophagus.
Where is the larynx?
What are some features of the larynx? (Parts of it)
Below the pharynx - air only
The GLOTTIS is the opening to the larynx, and the EPIGLOTTIS functions to keep food out by covering the glottis during swallowing.
Contains TWO VOCAL CORDS
What are vocal cords made of?
Skeletal muscle
Cartilage
Pathway of air from mouth to lungs:
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Nares Nasal cavity Pharynx Larynx Trachea Bronchi Bronchiole Alveoli
What substance are the alveoli covered with?
Surfactant - a detergent
It lowers surface tension
Prevents the alveolus from collapsing on itself.
What are the differences between right and left lung?
LEFT LUNG
Has a small indentation (it’s smaller)
2 lobes (upper/lower)
RIGHT LUNG
Is bigger
3 lobes (upper/middle/lower)
What are vibrissae?
Nasal hairs
What parts of the respiratory system are lined with ciliated epithelial cells?
Bronchi and Trachea
Visceral pleura versus parietal pleura
Space between them
Visceral pleural: covers the lung
Parietal pleural: outer membrane
The space between is called the intrapleural space, and contains pleural fluid to lubricate the membranes.
*pressure differential between both membranes is what drives breathing
What does the diaphragm do? What is it controlled by?
Thin muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.
Under SOMATIC control even though breathing itself is under AUTONOMIC control.
What muscles are involved in filling the lungs with air?
Filling of the lungs is ACTIVE - requires skeletal muscle to generate the negative pressure for expansion.
Intercostal muscles
Diaphragm
Muscles of the chest wall, abdomen, and neck also play a role, especially during labored/pathogenic breathing.
What is Boyle’s law?
How does it relate to breathing?
The pressure and volume of gases are inversely related.
“Negative-pressure breathing”
As the chest wall expands (and volume increases) the pressure in the lungs drops, and air is drawn in.
*the driving force is the lower pressure in the intrapleural space compared to the lungs.
What muscles CAN play a role in exhalation?
(Exhalation happens naturally via the relaxation of the EXTERNAL intercostal muscles)
Internal intercostal muscles
Abdominal muscles
What is emphysema?
Disease characterized by destruction of the alveolar walls.
Results in less recoil of the lungs, making EXHALATION very difficult.
(Usually caused by cigarette smoking)
What is a spirometer?
What can it NOT measure?
Instrument that measures lung capacities and volumes.
CANNOT measure the amount of air that remains in the lungs (residual volume)
