exam 1 respiratory Flashcards
What is the respiratory system made of?
conducting zone structures & respiratory zone structures
What are conducting zone structures?
includes the nose, pharynx, trachea, left & right primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, tertiary bronchi, & terminal bronchioles; they warm, moisten, & filter incoming air & carry it into the lungs
What are respiratory zone structures?
includes the lungs & respiratory bronchioles; the site of gas exchange (moves oxygen from air into blood & at the same time, moves carbon dioxide from blood into “air”)
What are conducting zones covered by?
2 tissue types: stratified epithelium & respiratory epithelium
What is stratified epithelium?
many layers of cells packed closely together; tough/good for protection
What is respiratory epithelium?
very delicate; one layer of pseudostratified epithelium that is made of column-shaped cells with cilia that project from their apical surface
What are goblet cells?
can be found scattered throughout respiratory epithelium; produces mucous
What is the anterior boundary of the nose?
the nose holes which are called anterior nares
What is the posterior boundary of the nose?
2 holes known as posterior nares that connect to the pharynx
What is the superior boundary of the nose?
cribriform plate of ethmoid; tiny holes called olfactory foramina which allow nerve endings of CNI to extend into the nasal cavity
What is the inferior boundary of the nose?
palatine processes & palatine bones
What is the lateral boundary of the nose?
contains 3 spongy bone shelves called nasal conchae that are covered in respiratory epithelium
What are characteristics of nasal conchae?
they are paired (3 on left, 3 on right); air swirls between them in grooves called nasal meatuses
What is the nasal septum?
divides the nose into left & right; made of hyaline cartilage which is supported by the vomer bone & the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone
What is the nasal fossa?
the left & right sides of the nasal cavity; small holes drain sinus cavities into the nasal fossa
What is the nasal vestibule?
the area posterior to the external anterior nares; it is lined with stratified epithelium for protection & contains nose hairs
What are vibrissae?
nose hairs; they trap large particles so they don’t enter the rest of the respiratory system
What is the pharynx?
throat; muscular tube that begins at the posterior nares & ends at the split of the trachea & esophagus; divided into nasopharynx, oropharynx, & laryngopharynx
What is the nasopharynx?
posterior to the nose; funnel-shaped; lined in respiratory epithelium; has opening of auditory tube that connects to middle ear
What is the pharyngeal tonsil?
embedded in posterior wall of nasopharynx; lump of lymphatic tissue that filters debris & pathogens from air
What is the oropharynx?
posterior to the mouth cavity; has respiratory & digestive function; lined with stratified epithelium that has mucous & no keratin
What is the uvula?
where the oropharynx begins; cone-shaped projection from the roof of the mouth which is an area called the soft palate; it raises as we swallow to seal off the nasopharynx
What are palatine tonsils?
a pair contained in the oropharynx; they catch pathogens & debris to remove them/filter them out
Where does the oropharynx end?
the level of the hyoid bone
What is the laryngopharynx?
most inferior part of the throat; holds the larynx (voice box)
What are the functions of the larynx?
produce sound, keep airway patent, & route food/liquid properly
What is the larynx made of?
9 pieces of hyaline cartilage joined by elastic connective tissue (ligaments)
What is the thyroid cartilage?
largest; provides anterior attachment of vocal cords; has testosterone receptors which are responsible for voice change at puberty
What is the laryngeal prominence?
anterior-most point of the thyroid cartilage
What is the cricoid cartilage?
ring-shaped; inferior to thyroid cartilage; functions in maintaining a patent airway
What is the thyrohyoid ligament?
connects the thyroid cartilage of the larynx to the hyoid bone
What is the cricothyroid ligament?
connects the thyroid cartilage of the larynx to the cricoid cartilage of the larynx
What is the epiglottis?
embedded in a mucous membrane fold; elevates as we swallow to seal the airway & prevent us from choking
What are the arytenoids?
a pair of small triangular cartilages on posterior side of larynx; provide posterior attachment of vocal cords
What are the corniculates & cuneiforms?
very small pairs of cartilage that move, changing the tension on the vocal cords to create different sounds
What is the trachea?
windpipe; 4.5 inch long flexible airway made of C-shaped hyaline cartilage rings