Intro - Respiratory & Cardiovascular System

Question 1

List the respiratory structures

Answer 1

• Mouth
• Nose
• Larynx (Voice box)
• Trachea (Windpipe)
• Lungs
• Bronchi/Bronchioles
• Alveoli

Question 2

Describe the mechanics of respiration

Answer 2

Inspiration - intercostal muscles contract & pull the ribs up and out, the diaphragm contracts and flattens increasing volume of the chest and a negative pressure is created causing airflow into the lungs which expand and fill with air.

Expiration - intercostal muscles relax and the ribs return to a normal position, the diaphragm relaxes and returns to its normal shape creating decreasing volume in the chest and a positive pressure is created and the lungs recoil causing air to be pushed out.

Question 3

State normal breathing rates at rest

Answer 3

Adults - 12-20

Young children - 20-40 depending on age. The younger they are, the faster.

Question 4

state the percentage of oxygen in air

Answer 4

Inspired air - 21%

Expired air - 16%

Question 5

Outline the function of the heart

Answer 5

The heart is a muscle which pumps blood around the body, providing oxygen to organs, muscle and tissue. The heart is split into four chambers:

• Right atrium
• Right ventricle
• Left atrium
• Left ventricle

The right hand side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood from the body to the lungs and the left side pumps oxygenated blood around the body.

Question 6

Define a pulse

Answer 6

As the heart beats, it creates a wave of pressure along the arteries. A pulse can be felt at the wrist(radial), neck(carotid), armpit(brachial) and groin(femoral). In adults, the normal pulse rate is 60-80bpm and will be faster in children.

Question 7

Identify blood vessels

Answer 7

Arteries - carry oxygenated blood away from the heart under pressure.

Capillaries - transports oxygenated blood to organs, muscles and tissue and collects waste.

Veins - carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.