Chapter 7: Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
The exchange of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2)
Oxygen is essential for life and is transported to all cells in exchange for CO2, a waste product.
What process is responsible for transporting oxygen and CO2 in the respiratory system?
Breathing (ventilation)
Breathing helps regulate the pH of the blood and maintain homeostasis.
Define carbon dioxide (CO2).
Tasteless, colorless, odorless gas produced by body cells during metabolism
The blood carries CO2 to the lungs for exhalation.
What is cartilage?
Tough, elastic connective tissue that is more rigid than ligaments but less dense than bone
Examples include the tip of the nose and the outer ear.
What are cilia?
Minute, hairlike structures that extend from the surface of a cell
Cilia in the trachea help move particles upward to the pharynx.
What does the term ‘diffuse’ mean?
To move or spread out a substance at random, rather than by chemical reaction or application of external forces
What is the significance of oxygen (O2) in the respiratory system?
Essential for human respiration
Oxygen is transported to cells for metabolic processes.
What does pH indicate?
The degree of acidity or alkalinity of a substance
A pH less than 7 indicates increasing acidity, while a pH greater than 7 indicates increasing alkalinity.
What is a serous membrane?
Thin layer of tissue that covers internal body cavities and secretes a fluid that keeps the membrane moist
Also called serosa.
What is the first step in the breathing process?
Inhalation
Air is drawn into the nasal cavity, where it is filtered, heated, and moistened.
What divides the nasal cavity into right and left sides?
Nasal septum
The nasal septum is made of cartilage.
Fill in the blank: The nasal cavity is lined with _______ membranes and tiny hairs called cilia.
mucous
True or False: The larynx is part of the upper respiratory tract.
False
The larynx is part of the lower respiratory tract.
What is the function of the alveoli?
Site of gas exchange between alveoli and pulmonary capillaries
Alveoli facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What structures are involved in the respiratory system’s gas exchange process?
Alveoli and pulmonary capillaries
This is where oxygenated and deoxygenated blood are exchanged.
What role does the diaphragm play in respiration?
It assists in the inhalation and exhalation process by contracting and relaxing.
List the major components of the upper respiratory tract.
- Nasal cavity
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
These structures facilitate the initial stages of breathing.
What is the purpose of the cilia escalator?
To move particles upward to the pharynx
Habitual smoking can damage the cilia escalator, impairing this function.
What are olfactory neurons?
Receptors for the sense of smell located deep in the nasal cavity
Covered with a layer of mucus and embedded among epithelial cells
What is the pharynx?
A muscular tube that serves as a passageway for food and air, consisting of three sections: nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx
What are the three sections of the pharynx?
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx
What are adenoids?
A collection of lymphoid tissue located within the nasopharynx
Also known as pharyngeal tonsils
Where are the palatine tonsils located?
In the oropharynx
Commonly referred to as tonsils
What is the function of the larynx?
Contains structures that make vocal sounds possible
What is the role of the epiglottis?
Seals off the air passage to the lungs during swallowing
What connects the pharynx to the trachea?
The larynx
What is the trachea?
The windpipe that connects the larynx to the bronchi, composed of smooth muscle and C-shaped cartilage rings
What do the bronchi lead to?
The right and left lungs
What are bronchioles?
Smaller branches formed from the division of bronchi
What are alveoli?
Tiny air sacs at the end of bronchioles that resemble small balloons for gas exchange
What role do pulmonary capillaries play?
Lie next to alveoli allowing for the diffusion of CO2 from blood and O2 into blood
How many lobes does the right lung have?
Three lobes
How many lobes does the left lung have?
Two lobes
What is the mediastinum?
The space between the right and left lungs that contains the heart, aorta, esophagus, and bronchi
What are the visceral and parietal pleura?
Visceral pleura covers the lungs; parietal pleura lines the thoracic cavity
What is the pleural cavity?
The space between the visceral and parietal pleura containing lubricating fluid
What is the diaphragm?
A large muscular partition between the chest and abdominal cavities that assists in ventilation
What happens during inspiration?
The diaphragm contracts, decreasing pressure in the chest and drawing air into the lungs
What is pulmonary respiration?
The process where O2 is taken from air and CO2 is returned to the environment
List the four processes included in respiration.
- Pulmonary ventilation
- External respiration
- Transport of respiratory gases
- Internal respiration
What is pulmonary ventilation?
The involuntary action of moving air into and out of the lungs
What occurs during external respiration?
The exchange of O2 and CO2 between the alveoli and the blood in pulmonary capillaries
What is the transport of respiratory gases?
The movement of O2 to body cells and CO2 to the lungs via the cardiovascular system
What is internal respiration?
The exchange of O2 and CO2 between body cells and blood in systemic capillaries
What are olfactory neurons?
Receptors for the sense of smell located deep in the nasal cavity
Covered with a layer of mucus and embedded among epithelial cells
What is the pharynx?
A muscular tube that serves as a passageway for food and air, consisting of three sections: nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx
What are the three sections of the pharynx?
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx
What are adenoids?
A collection of lymphoid tissue located within the nasopharynx
Also known as pharyngeal tonsils
Where are the palatine tonsils located?
In the oropharynx
Commonly referred to as tonsils
What is the function of the larynx?
Contains structures that make vocal sounds possible
What is the role of the epiglottis?
Seals off the air passage to the lungs during swallowing
What connects the pharynx to the trachea?
The larynx
What is the trachea?
The windpipe that connects the larynx to the bronchi, composed of smooth muscle and C-shaped cartilage rings
What do the bronchi lead to?
The right and left lungs
What are bronchioles?
Smaller branches formed from the division of bronchi
What are alveoli?
Tiny air sacs at the end of bronchioles that resemble small balloons for gas exchange
What role do pulmonary capillaries play?
Lie next to alveoli allowing for the diffusion of CO2 from blood and O2 into blood
How many lobes does the right lung have?
Three lobes
How many lobes does the left lung have?
Two lobes
What is the mediastinum?
The space between the right and left lungs that contains the heart, aorta, esophagus, and bronchi
What are the visceral and parietal pleura?
Visceral pleura covers the lungs; parietal pleura lines the thoracic cavity
What is the pleural cavity?
The space between the visceral and parietal pleura containing lubricating fluid
What is the diaphragm?
A large muscular partition between the chest and abdominal cavities that assists in ventilation
What happens during inspiration?
The diaphragm contracts, decreasing pressure in the chest and drawing air into the lungs
What is pulmonary respiration?
The process where O2 is taken from air and CO2 is returned to the environment
List the four processes included in respiration.
- Pulmonary ventilation
- External respiration
- Transport of respiratory gases
- Internal respiration
What is pulmonary ventilation?
The involuntary action of moving air into and out of the lungs
What occurs during external respiration?
The exchange of O2 and CO2 between the alveoli and the blood in pulmonary capillaries
What is the transport of respiratory gases?
The movement of O2 to body cells and CO2 to the lungs via the cardiovascular system
What is internal respiration?
The exchange of O2 and CO2 between body cells and blood in systemic capillaries
What is the main function of the respiratory system?
To provide oxygen to the entire body and expel carbon dioxide from the body.
How does the respiratory system interact with the blood, lymphatic, and immune systems?
The tonsils, adenoids, and other immune structures in the respiratory tract protect against pathogens.
What role does the respiratory system play in the cardiovascular system?
It provides O2 and removes CO2 from cardiac tissue.
What are the functions of the respiratory system in relation to the digestive system?
- Provides O2 needed for digestive functions
- Removes CO2 produced by the organs of digestion
- Shares the pharynx with the digestive system
How does the respiratory system support the endocrine system?
It helps maintain a stable pH required for proper functioning of the endocrine glands.
What changes occur in the respiratory rate in response to sexual activity?
Respiratory rate increases during sexual activity.
What is a key function of the respiratory system during pregnancy?
Fetal respiration occurs during pregnancy.
How does the respiratory system contribute to skin health?
It furnishes O2 and disposes of CO2 to maintain healthy skin.
What role does the respiratory system play in male reproductive health?
- Maintains pH for gonadal hormone function
- Supplies oxygen to reproductive structures to maintain viable sperm
How does the respiratory system support muscle function?
- Provides O2 for muscle contraction
- Eliminates CO2 produced by muscles
- Provides O2 for bone development
What does the respiratory system supply to the nervous system?
- Provides O2 for brain, spinal cord, and sensory organ functions
- Helps maintain a stable pH for neural function
How does the respiratory system assist the urinary system?
- Supplies O2 and removes CO2 to maintain proper functioning of urinary structures
- Assists in regulating pH by removing CO2
What is the meaning of the combining form ‘nas/o’?
Nose
‘nas/o’ is used in medical terms related to the nose.
What does ‘nas/al’ mean?
Pertaining to the nose
What is ‘rhin/o/plasty’?
Surgical repair of the nose
What is ‘sept/o’ in medical terminology?
Septum
What does ‘sept/o/plasty’ refer to?
Surgical repair of the septum
What is the purpose of a ‘sinus/o/tomy’?
Incision to improve breathing or for drainage in unresponsive sinusitis