Exam 1

Question 0

Describe the close association between the circulatory system and the respiratory system.

Answer 0

The circulatory system and respiratory systems, collectively called the cardiopulmonary system, are linked functionally and geographically linked. The circulatory system connects the respiratory system with interstitial fluid, which allows for gas exchange between fluid compartments. Failure of either system causes rapid death d/t O2 starvation.

Question 1

What is the respiratory system? Why is it important?

Answer 1

The respiratory system is a system of conducting tubes, along with gas exchange structures and accessory structures.

It is important because cells that undergo oxidative phosphorylation constantly require O2 (which is required to make ATP via the electron transport chain) and constantly produce CO2 (a metabolic waste that causes respiratory acidosis if too much accumulates in the body; respiratory acidosis denatures proteins).

Question 2

Describe 10 functions of the respiratory system.

Answer 2

1) Moves air between environment an gas exchange surfaces (aka respiratory membranes)
2) Provides surface for diffusion of O2 and CO2 to occur between air and blood
3) Protection of delicate respiratory surfaces from dehydration, temperature extremes, and pathogens
4) Production of sound for communication
5) Facilitating olfaction (smell)
6) Regulation of blood pressure through conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
7) Regulation of pH through offloading of CO2
8) Respiratory pump for venous blood and lymph return
9) Facilitating urination, defecation and childbirth through the Valsalva maneuver
10) Filtering out and breaking down small blood clots that might otherwise reach cerebral, renal or coronary circulation

Question 3

Describe the division of the respiratory system into 2 respiratory tracts.

Answer 3

The upper respiratory tract begins at the nostrils and ends at the start of the larynx.

• Includes the structures of the head and neck
• Protects through filtering, warming, and humidifying incoming air
• Also cools and dehumidifies outgoing air

The lower respiratory tract begins with the larynx and ends at the alveoli.

• Includes the structures of the thoracic cavity
• Primary responsibility is gas exchange

Question 4

Describe the division of the respiratory system into two respiratory divisions.

Answer 4

The respiratory system is divided functionally into:

Conducting Division

• Carries air along the respiratory tract
• From the nostrils to the terminal bronchioles

Respiratory Division

• Where gas exchange occurs
• Respiratory bronchioles to alveoli

Question 5

Describe the vestibule of the nasal cavity.

Answer 5

The vestibule is the area just interior of the nares that contains guard hairs that prevent large particles and insects from entering.

Question 6

Describe the nasal septum.

Answer 6

The nasal septum divides the nasal cavity into left and right nasal fossae.

The anterior portion is formed from hyaline cartilage.

The posterior portion is the fusion of the vomer and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone.

Question 7

Describe the inferior, middle and superior nasal chonchae.

Answer 7

The nasal chonchae increased surface area of the nasal cavity, facilitate the circulation of incoming air so that in comes into contact with mucus, and increases warming and humidification of air, and interaction with olfactory mucosae.

The chonchae are separated by spaces called the nasal meatuses.

Question 8

What bones make up the hard palate? What is the purpose of the hard palate?

Answer 8

The maxillary and palatine bones make up the hard palate.

The hard palate allows us to breathe through our nose while chewing. Crocodiles, in contrast, have only a soft palate, thus the action of chewing compresses the soft palate thus blocking off the nasal cavity and preventing breathing. This would not work for humans because of our constant dependence on O2 intake.

Question 9

What type of epithelium lines the vestibule?

Answer 9

stratified squamous epithelium

Question 10

What type of epithelium lines most of the nasal cavity and is referred to as respiratory epithelium?

Answer 10

pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

• goblet cells produce mucus
• mucus traps particles and humidifies air
• cilia sweep mucus toward pharynx (this is known as the mucociliary escalator)

Question 11

What is the lamina propria?

Answer 11

The lamina propria is areolar CT that underlies the epithelium of the respiratory tract. It contains:
mucus glands, lymphocytes, plasma cells (make antibodies), and blood vessels for warming air.

Question 12

Where is the olfactory epithelium located? What type of epithelium is it? How is it modified?

Answer 12

Olfactory epithelium lines the roof of each nasal fossa.

It is pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. The cilia are modified for catching odorant molecules.

Question 13

Describe the specialized lamina propria of the inferior chonchae.

Answer 13

The lamina propria of the inferior chonchae has a collection of veins called swell body. One side engorges every 30-60 minutes, closing off that fossa and allowing that side to replenish mucus and combat the effects of drying.

Question 14

What are the paranasal sinuses? What are their purposes?

Answer 14

The paranasal sinuses are open spaces in frontal and sphenoid bones (among others) that surround the nasal cavity.

They serve as resonance chambers, produce mucus that drains into the nasal cavity to keep the nasal cavity moist and clean, and possible serve to lighten the skull.

Question 15

Describe the 3 regions of the pharynx (throat).

Answer 15

1) Nasopharynx contains one pharyngeal tonsil (adenoid) and the opening of two auditory (eustation) tubes. Only air passes through the nasopharynx.
2) Oropharynx contains the palatine and lingual tonsils. Air, food and water pass through the oropharynx.
3) Laryngopharynx is the most inferior region. Air, food and water pass through the laryngopharynx.

Question 16

Describe the respiratory system defenses.

Answer 16

Mucus membranes that trap and remove debris and pathogens, consisting of epithelial membranes (primarily pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium) and the underlying lamina propria (areolar CT).

Goblet cells in epithelia and mucus glands in lamina propria contribute to mucociliary escalator.

Rate of mucus production increases with exposure to noxious conditions or pathogens.

Alveolar macrophages phagocytize small particles that make it into small bronchioles and alveoli. These are commonly called dust cells.

Question 17

What type of epithelia line the respiratory tract?

Answer 17

Vestibule: stratified squamous epithelium (keritinized?)
Nasopharynx: pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Oropharynx: stratified sqaumous (non-keritinized)
Laryngealpharynx: stratified squamous epithelium (non-keritinized)
Larynx: Above vocal cords are stratified sqaumous; below vocal cords PCCE? (ask Aaron-Aaron say PCCE)
Trachea: PCCE
Bronchi: PCCE
Larger Bronchioles: PCCE
Smaller Bronchioles: Columnar or Cuboidal epithelium
Alveoli: Simple Squamous of the Alveoli

Question 18

What are the 3 primary functions of the larynx?

Answer 18

1) Opening for air to enter respiratory tree
2) Closes to direct food and liquid into esophagus
3) Serves as voice box for phonation

Question 19

What type of cartilage makes up the various cartilage structures of the larynx?

Answer 19

All of the cartilaginous structures of the larynx are made of hyaline cartilage, EXCEPT for the epiglottis, which is made of elastic cartilage.

Question 20

What is the purpose of the arytenoid cartilages?

Answer 20

The arytenoid cartilages (along with the thyroid cartilage) anchor the vocal folds. Adjacent muscles move the arytenoid cartilage, which changes the length and tension of the vocal folds thus altering pitch.

Question 21

What is the anatomical name for the Adam’s apple? What is the underlying structure that creates the Adam’s apple?

Answer 21

The laryngeal prominence is the anatomical term for the Adam’s apple. This prominence is created by the large thyroid cartilage of the larynx. The thyroid cartilage is composed of hyaline cartilage.

Question 22

What is the function of the vestibular folds?

Answer 22

The vestibular folds come together to close the glottis but play no role in speech.

Question 23

What are the vocal folds? What factors affect the vocalizations?

Answer 23

The vocal folds are ligaments of elastic fibers that vibrate and produce sound as air rushes out of the respiratory tree.

Muscles move the arytenoid cartilages, changing the length and tension of the vocal folds, which affects the pitch of the sound.

Also, the force of the air coming out, resonance, and enunciation all affect the way vocalizations sound.

Question 24

Describe the position and size of the trachea?

Answer 24

The trachea is approx. 12 cm long and 2.5 cm thick. It is anterior to the esophagus.

Question 25

What give the trachea its structural integrity? What would happen if these were absent?

Answer 25

The trachea is reinforced with 15-20 tracheal cartilages, which are C-shaped rings. The esophagus is adjacent to the opening of the C.

If the tracheal cartilages were absent, the trachea would collapse d/t atmospheric pressure.

Question 26

Describe the location and function of the trachealis muscle. What type of muscle tissue makes up this muscle?

Answer 26

The trachealis muscle is a band of smooth muscle that attaches to the free ends of the opening of the C, thus completing the posterior diameter of the trachea. It allows for some ability to regulate the diameter of the tracheal lumen and thus the flow of air. It also allows for some flexibility to allow a large bolus to pass through the esophagus without being obstructed by the trachea.

Sympathetic stimulation causes dilation.

Question 27

Describe the flow of air through the respiratory system from its entrance into the body until it reaches the alveoli.

Answer 27

Nares
Nasal cavity
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Primary Bronchi
Secondary Bronchi
Tertiary Bronchi
Bronchioles
Terminal Bronchioles
Respiratory Bronchioles
Alveolar Ducts
Alveolar Sacs
Alveoli

Question 28

Describe the left and right primary bronchi.

Answer 28

• Reinforced by cartilaginous rings
• Right primary bronchus enters the lung at a steeper angle and is larger in diameter. Because of this, objects are more likely to lodge here.
• After 2-3cm, the primary bronchi enter the lung at the hilum and supply their respective lungs. Nerves, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels also enter at the hilum.