Chapter 8 - the Respiratory System Flashcards
Solute
The substance dissolved in a given substance
Solvent
A substance that dissolves another to form a substance
Concentration
A measure of the amount of dissolved substance contained per unit of volume
concentration gradient
The difference between two areas; affects the rate of diffusion
Diffusion
The random movement of molecules, ions or small particles in solution under the influence of thermal motion toward a uniform distribution throughout available volume
Ion
An atom or atom group electrically charged by the loss or gain of electrons, represented by a plus or minus sign. Ie Na+ (sodium)
Osmosis
Diffusion of water, water passes through a semipermeable membrane into a solution where the solute concentration is higher, thus equalizing the concentrations of materials on either side of the membrane
Respiration
Aka breathing. Aka Pulmonary ventilation. Involves simply the stage of taking oxygen from the air and returning carbon dioxide. Oxygen enters body through mouth and nose, then the larynx (voice box) then trachea (windpipe) entrees the chest cavity
Conchae
Or turbinates.Bone tissue protruding into the nasal cavity. They make air turbulent, increasing the likelihood that more bacteria, viruses and air borne particles will stick to mucus-covered walls
Larynx
Voice box
Trachea
Windpipe. Entered chest cavity.
cartilage
Provides a firm structure to trachea and bronchial tubes so that airways stay open when we inhale and exhale
Mucous membrane
Covers air passageways and nasal passages. Collects dust, bacteria and other particles in the air
Cilia
A motile, hair-like extension of a cell surface. Many cells that make up the membrane contain cilia. They have a wave like motion that carries mucus upward and out into the throat where it is either coughed or swallowed. The mucus also helps moisten the air. Smoking stops cilia from moving. 1 cigarette stops their motion for about 20 minutes. Smokers cough is their body trying to dispose of extra mucus.
Upper respiratory system
Trachea, mouth and pharynx(throat)
Epiglottis
A flap of tissue that guards the entrance to the trachea, closing when anything is swallowed so that the item goes into the esophagus and stomach
Bronchus
Any of the major air passages of the lungs that diverge from the trachea
Lower airway system
The right and left main bronchi represent the first of over 20 divisions of airways to come in the lower airway system. By the 20th division the diameter fo the air way is less than 1 mm, the alveoli begin to appear. This is where the air exchange actually takes place
Alveoli
Microscopic air sacs surrounded by capillaries- where gas exchange actually takes place. Inhaled o2 passes into the alveoli and then diffuses through the capillaries into the arterial blood. Meanwhile the blood from the veins releases its co2 into the alveoli and out of the lungs when you exhale
Diaphragm
A sheet of muscle that lied across the bottom of the chest cavity. Downward movement creates suction in the chest to expand the lungs and draw air in. When the diaphragm releases air is pushed out of the lungs
Disorders
Asthma (bronchial), Dyspnea (dys= ill, bad) (pnea= breath), emphysema, sleep apnea
Brain stem
The part of the nervous system that controls breathing. Automatic and functions whether we thing about it or not. Can be inhibited by drug overdose causing failure of the respiratory system
Emphysema
Chronic disease of the lungs characterized by difficulty breathing. Smoking makes it difficult for oxygen to be taken through the alveoli. When cigarette smoke is inhaled, about 1/3 of the particles will remain within the alveoli. If there are too many particles from smoking or air pollution there may be damage to the aveolar walls causing a lack of elasticity and a reduction in their absorptive surface area
Asthma
Aka (bronchial). A condition of the lungs in which there is widespread narrowing of airways due in varying degrees to a) spasm of smooth muscle b) edema c)mucus in the lumen. These changes are caused by the local release of spasmogens in the course of an allergic process
Lumen
The canal or cavity of a tubular organ
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath, difficulty or distress in breathing. (Dys= bad, ill especially to form words denoting impaired or abnormal biological or mental processes). (Pnea = breath)
Sleep apnea
Absence of breathing caused by upper airway obstruction during sleep, associated with the frequent awakening and often with daytime sleepiness
Recovery position (draining position)
Three quarters Prone (face down). To maintain a open (patent) airway
Open
Patent
Supine
Face up - risk of airway obstruction. Unconsciousness leads to a loss of control and muscle tong and can cause tongue to fall to the back of the pharynx creating an obstruction
Passive regurgitation
The loss of muscular control which causes the tongue to block the throat can also lead to the stomach contents collecting in the throat.
aspiration pneumonia
Stomach acid collecting in the back of the throat can also flow down into the lungs and attack the lining of the lungs. Symptoms : Cyanosis, cough, sputum containing pus or blood, wheezing or rapid pulse
