Introduction and Anatomy of Lungs, Airways and Blood Supply Flashcards
List the four functions of the respiratory system
- Gas exchange
- Acid-base balance
- Protection from infection
- Communication via speech
What is external respiration?
Integration of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems which allows movement of gases between the air and the body’s cells
Describe pulmonary circulation
The movement of blood between the heart and the lungs for the purpose of gas exchange (both O2 and CO2)
What vessels are important in pulmonary circulation?
- Pulmonary artery (away from heart)
- Pulmonary vein
(to the heart)
What is systemic circulation?
Movement of blood between heart and the body’s cells
Describe the concurrent changes that occur in both the Respiratory and CV system during exercise?
- Rate and depth of breathing occurs:
Speeds up substrate acquisition and waste excretion
- Heart rate and strength of contraction increases:
Substrate delivery and waste removal increase
Where does gas exchange occur?
In the lungs
What can be said about the net volume of oxygen exchanged in a steady state?
It is equal to the net volume exchanged in the tissues
What are the average volumes of O2 and CO2 exchanged per minute?
250ml O2 consumed
200ml CO2 excreted
Describe the effect exercise has on breathing rate; quote numbers
10-20 breaths/min at rest and 40-45 breaths per minute for adults
What is the epiglottis?
The small flap of tissue which folds over the trachea and prevents food from entering when you swallow
What is the pharynx?
Throat, the shared space of both the respiratory and CV system
What is the larynx?
The voice box, containing your vocal chords which vibrate to produce sound
Where does the upper respiratory tract become the lower one?
Below the larynx
The width and angle of the right bronchi is greater and more oblique than the left - what clinical relevance does this have?
Most aspirated foreign bodies are lodged there
Describe the connective tissue surrounding the trachea and bronchi
Semi-rigid tubes “patency” of airways maintained by C-shaped rings of cartilage
Airways are categorised into two zones; what are they?
Conducting and respiratory zone - respiratory zone is the point of gas exchange in the alveoli
What do the tubes of the conducting zone contain?
Anatomical dead space - no gas exchange occurs
What are the components of the lining of the respiratory tract?
Epithelium, glands, lymph nodes, blood vessels, ciliated and mucous
What is the function of mucous?
Moistens air, Traps particles
What are the categories pneumocytes?
Type I - for gas exchange
Type II - release surfactant
What is the typical distribution of the types of pneumocytes?
97% Type I
Describe the lobular nature of the lungs
Right lung - 3 lobes
Left lung - 2 lobes (cardiac notch makes it smaller)
What does the horizontal fissure separate?
The superior lobe from the medial lobe in the right lung
What does the oblique fissure separate?
The superior from the inferior lobe in the left lung and the medial from the inferior lobe in the right lung
