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CRLS (CLB) > Intro to the Respiratory System > Flashcards

Intro to the Respiratory System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

A

Delivery of O2 to lungs for gas exchange, and removal of CO2 produced by tissues out of the lungs.

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2
Q

What is external respiration?

A

Exchange of gases between atmospheric air and blood.

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3
Q

List additional important functions of the respiratory system.

A
  • Acid-base balance
  • Immunity
  • Thermoregulation
  • Site of metabolism/activation
  • Vocalisation/communication
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4
Q

What structures comprise the upper respiratory tract?

A
  • Nasal cavity
  • Pharynx
  • Larynx
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5
Q

What structures comprise the lower respiratory tract?

A
  • Trachea
  • Bronchi
  • Bronchioles
  • Alveolar ducts
  • Alveoli
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6
Q

How is air delivered to the upper respiratory tract?

A

Air enters via nose (sometimes mouth).

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7
Q

What divides the left and right nasal cavities?

A

Nasal septum.

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8
Q

What are conchae?

A

Mucosa lined bone scrolls in the nasal cavity.

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9
Q

What are meatuses?

A

Openings/canals in the nasal cavity.

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10
Q

What type of epithelium mostly lines the nasal cavity?

A

Respiratory epithelium.

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11
Q

What is the function of the epiglottis?

A

Protects airway during swallowing.

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12
Q

What are paranasal sinuses?

A

Diverticula of the nasal cavity within the skull.

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13
Q

List the functions of the paranasal sinuses.

A
  • Thermal protection
  • Mechanical protection
  • Lighten head
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14
Q

What is the pharynx?

A

The common cavity through which air and ingesta pass.

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15
Q

What does the pharynx connect?

A

Oral cavity to oesophagus and nasal cavity to larynx.

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16
Q

What are the anatomical borders of the pharynx?

A
  • Dorsally - base of skull and C1-C2
  • Ventrally - larynx and mandible
  • Laterally - pterygoid muscles and suspensory part of hyoid apparatus
  • Rostrally - soft palate separates rostral pharynx into dorsal and ventral (nasopharynx and oropharynx)
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17
Q

What is the larynx?

A

Musculocartilaginous organ that connects pharynx to trachea.

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18
Q

What are the functions of the larynx?

A
  • Protect trachea from aspiration
  • Vocalisation
  • Pressure build-up (glottis closure)
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19
Q

What type of epithelium lines the larynx?

A

Stratified squamous epithelium near pharynx, respiratory epithelium elsewhere.

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20
Q

What is the innervation of the larynx?

A

Innervated by branches of vagus nerve (cranial laryngeal n., caudal (recurrent) laryngeal n.).

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21
Q

What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve supply?

A

All intrinsic muscles except cricothyroideus.

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22
Q

What is the structure of the trachea?

A

Extends from larynx to bifurcation at base of heart, C-shaped hyaline cartilages connected by fibroelastic tissue.

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23
Q

What type of epithelium lines the trachea?

A

Respiratory epithelium (ciliated, pseudostratified columnar epithelium).

24
Q

What is the difference between bronchi and bronchioles?

A

Bronchi are lined by ciliated, pseudostratified columnar epithelium and supported by cartilage; bronchioles are smaller, lack cartilage, and are lined by variably ciliated or non-ciliated columnar epithelium.

25
Q

What are conducting airways?

A

All airways up until bronchioles, where there is no gas exchange.

26
Q

What are respiratory airways?

A

Respiratory bronchioles to alveoli, where gas exchange occurs.

27
Q

What is an acinus?

A

The functional unit consisting of terminal bronchiole and its distal structures.

28
Q

What type of epithelium is found in respiratory bronchioles?

A

Cuboidal epithelium (club cells)

Club cells produce secretions and are a source of new cells.

29
Q

What is the function of the flattened squamous epithelium (type 1 pneumocytes) in the alveoli?

A

Gas exchange

30
Q

What are the main functions of type II pneumocytes in the alveoli?

A

Secrete fluid (surfactant) to prevent alveolar collapse (atelectasis)

Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli.

31
Q

What are the gaps in the septum of alveoli called?

A

Pores of Kohn

These connect alveoli for efficient movement of air.

32
Q

List the components of the blood-gas interface.

A
  • Surfactant
  • Alveolar epithelial cell (pneumocyte)
  • Epithelial basement membrane
  • Connective tissue
  • Capillary basement membrane
  • Capillary endothelial cell
  • Blood plasma
  • Red blood cell
33
Q

What two main components make up the lungs?

A
  • Parenchyma (functional tissue)
  • Interstitium (soft tissue, nerves, glands, blood and lymph vessels)
34
Q

What is the role of the pleura in the lungs?

A

Encloses potential space and small amount of fluid

The pleura consists of parietal and visceral layers.

35
Q

How many lobes does the left lung have?

A

2 lobes: Cranial and Caudal

The left lung is smaller to accommodate the heart.

36
Q

What are the lobes of the right lung?

A
  • Cranial
  • Middle
  • Caudal
  • Accessory
37
Q

What does the visceral pleura cover?

A

Surface of the lung including fissures

Contains abundant elastic fibers.

38
Q

What are the three parts of the parietal pleura?

A
  • Costal pleura
  • Diaphragmatic pleura
  • Mediastinal pleura
39
Q

What is the diaphragm?

A

Musculotendinous sheet separating thoracic and abdominal cavity

It has openings for structures like the esophagus and aorta.

40
Q

What is the function of the diaphragm in respiration?

A

Drives volume change of thorax and therefore negative pressure for breathing.

41
Q

What is contained within the mediastinum?

A
  • Heart in pericardiac sac
  • Trachea
  • Esophagus
  • Thymus
  • Mediastinal lymph nodes
  • Great vessels
  • Nerves including vagosympathetic trunk
42
Q

True or False: The mediastinum contains the lungs.

A

False

The mediastinum does not contain the lungs, caudal vena cava, or right phrenic nerve.

43
Q

What is the pathway of non-oxygenated blood in pulmonary circulation?

A

RV -> lungs -> LA

44
Q

What type of blood exchange occurs in pulmonary circulation?

A

Gas exchange

45
Q

Describe the pressure and volume characteristics of pulmonary circulation.

A

Large volume, low pressure

46
Q

How do pulmonary arteries and veins differ in relation to bronchi?

A

Pulmonary arteries follow bronchi, veins do not always

47
Q

What is the source of blood for bronchiole circulation?

A

From aorta

48
Q

What is the pressure and volume characteristic of bronchiole circulation?

A

Low volume, high pressure

49
Q

What is the pathway of oxygenated blood in bronchiole circulation?

A

LV -> lungs -> RA (via azygous v.)

50
Q

What do anastomoses between bronchial and pulmonary circulations help preserve?

A

Lung tissue

51
Q

What physiological response occurs in hypoxic vasoconstriction?

A

Reflex vascular smooth muscle contraction

52
Q

What happens to areas that receive little alveolar oxygen in terms of blood flow?

A

Reduced flow from the pulmonary artery

53
Q

How does hypoxic vasoconstriction affect ventilation and perfusion?

A

Maximizes oxygen exchange

54
Q

What is angiogenesis in the context of bronchopulmonary circulation?

A

New bronchopulmonary arterial anastomoses

55
Q

Fill in the blank: The common capillary network helps preserve lung tissue if the pulmonary supply becomes _______.

A

compromised

56
Q

What effect does vasodilation of bronchial arteries have on blood flow?

A

Increases flow

57
Q

What is the primary function of the common capillary network between bronchial and pulmonary circulations?

A

By-pass the obstructed pulmonary artery

CRLS (CLB) (20 decks)

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