Lecture 14: The Upper Respiratory Tract Flashcards
What is the role of the respiratory system?
Conducts warm, clean, moist air into close proximity with blood of the circulatory system for gas exchange
What is the respiratory system?
Connected organs/structures that perform functions
To be effective what does the respiratory system need?
3
- A surface for gas exchange
- A path for air to flow to reach the gas exchange surface in optimal condition
- Ability to draw breath in and out
What is needed as a part of an efficient gas exchange surface?
Blood and air to be close, but not in contact
What are 2 additional function of the respiratory system?
- Produce sound
- Olfaction
What does URT stand for?
Upper respiratory tract
What does LRT stand for?
Lower respiratory tract
What are the main components of the respiratory system?
5
- URT
- LRT
- Thoracic cavity
- Joints
- Respiratory muscles
What is a function of the Nasal cavity?
Olfaction
What is a function of the Oral cavity
Passage for air and food
Where does the Conducting region stem?
The nose to bronchioles
What is a function of the conducting region?
Ensure air is warm, clean and moist
What is a function of the Respiratory region?
Sites of gas exchange
What is included in the Respiratory region?
Alveoli
What are most body organs lined with?
A mucosa
What is mucosa composed of?
Epithelia attached via a basement membrane to the lamina propia
What is the lamina propia?
Connective tissue, which may contain glands
What is usually below the mucosa?
Submucosal layer
What may be contained in the submucosal layer depending on the region?
Glands
What is the respiratory tract lined with?
Mucosa
What happens to the epithelium along the respiratory tract?
It changes to reflect function
What is most of the conducting region lined with?
Respiratory epithelium
What is the area where air and food travel lined with?
Stratified squamous epithelium
What is the site of gas exchange lined with?
Simple squamous epithelium
What is Olfaction lined with?
Olfactory mucosa
What is the description of respiratory epithelium?
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium (with goblet cells)
What do Goblet cells produce?
Mucus
What does mucus do?
Traps debris, moistens air
What do ciliated cells do?
Produce patterned movement that pushes mucus towards the pharynx
What can happen to mucus in the respiratory tract?
Swallowed and digested by stomach acid
What are the components of the URT?
3
- Nose & Nasal cavity
- Paranasal sinuses
- Pharynx
What are the components of the Pharynx?
3
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx