Intro To The Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
Gaseous exchange
- also involved in speech and smell
What does the conducting portion of the respiratory system do?
- Transports air
- Conditions air (warms, moistens, filters)
What does the respiratory portion of the respiratory system do?
It is a thin moist delicate membrane which is the site of gaseous exchange
What are the four nasal cavity boundaries?
- Nasal cartilage
- Ethmoid bone
- Hard palate and soft palate
- Nasopharynx
What is anterior to the nasal cavity?
nasal cartilage
What is superior to the nasal cavity?
Ethmoid bone
What is inferior to the nasal cavity?
hard palate and soft palate
What is posterior to the nasal cavity?
Nasopharynx
What are the three turbinate bones in the nasal cavity forming part of the conducting portion?
- superior concha
- middle concha
- inferior concha
What are the four paranasal sinuses?
- frontal sinus
- sphenoid sinus
- ethmoid sinuses
- maxillary sinus
Where is each sinus found?
beneath conchae in areas called meatii
- frontal sinus in frontal bone
- sphenoid sinus in sphenoid bone
- ethmoid sinus in ethmoid bone
- maxillary sinus in maxillary bone
What are the characteristics of sinusitis?
- inflamed sinus lining
- excess mucus/sinus infection
Why is maxillary sinusitis common?
Unlike the other sinuses, the maxillary sinus needs to be full to drain which means more common infections and pain.
It is also close to the superior teeth (only separated by a thin membrane) so infection can spread to the teeth.
Which ducts does each sinus drain into?
- sphenoid sinus drains into spheno ethmoidal sinus recess
- frontal sinus and anterior ethmoid sinus into naso-frontal duct
- maxillary sinus through the middle meatus
(nasolacrimal duct = tear duct - through the nasal bone and into the back of the nose)
How can a runny nose occur via the sinuses?
Paranasal sinuses are in direct communication with the nasal cavity so during inspiration, bacteria and viruses from external air can enter sinuses which are warm and moist resulting in immune responses = mucus production
Where is the nasopharynx located?
from nasal cavity to soft palate
Which tube is located in the nasopharynx and what is it’s role?
Auditory tube which connects to the ear
Where is the oropharynx located?
soft palate to the epiglottis
Where is the laryngopharynx located?
epiglottis to the oesophagus
Where does the heart sit in the thoracic cavity?
In the mediastinum towards the left, lungs point towards the left
In which side of the bronchus is a substance more likely to get lodged in?
In the right bronchus as it is wider and more vertical
What is the structure of the conducting portion from the trachea to the terminal bronchiole ?
Trachea > primary bronchi > lobar (secondary) bronchi > segmental (tertiary) bronchi > terminal bronchiole
What is the structure of the conducting portion from the trachea?
Trachea > primary bronchi > lobar (secondary) bronchi > segmental (tertiary) bronchi > terminal bronchiole
What is the structure of the respiratory portion from the terminal bronchiole?
Terminal bronchiole > respiratory bronchiole > alveolar sacs