Lecture 15: LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT Flashcards
What are the components of the LRT?
Larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli
What are the functions of the LRT?
Conduct, complete and provide
What does the LRT conduct?
Air to/from site of gas exchange
What does the LRT complete?
Cleaning, warming and humidifying of air
What does the LRT provide?
A barrier between the air and blood, and a large surface area for gas exchange
What is the larynx a passage for?
Air only so has respiratory epithelium
Where is the larynx positioned?
Anterior to the esophagus
Where does the larynx go from?
The hyoid bone to the trachea
What does cartilage in the larynx do?
Protect and maintain open airway (remains potent)
What does the epiglottis do?
Closes over the airway when swallowing to prevent food entering the larynx
What are the cartilage in the larynx?
Cricoid cartilage, thyroid cartilage (with laryngeal prominence) and epiglottis
What does glottis mean?
Voicebox
What do the folds attach to?
Cartilages
What are the folds?
Vocal folds and vestibular folds
What are the true vocal cords?
Vocal folds
What does air passing the vocal folds do?
Cause vibrations = sound waves
What are the vocal folds used for?
Normal phonation
What affects cartilage and muscle?
Testosterone, resulting in longer, thicker folds which means a deeper voice
What are the false vocal cords?
Vestibular folds
Where are the vestibular folds found?
Superior to the vocal folds
What do vestibular folds do?
Prevent foreign object entry to glottis if it gets past the epiglottis
What sound can the vestibular folds produce?
Very deep sounds
Where is the trachea found?
Anterior to the esophagus
Where is the trachea between?
The larynx and primary bronchi
What is the function of the trachea?
To maintain a potent airway. Clean, warm and humidify air.
What epithelium does the trachea have?
Respiratory
What is the cartilage in the trachea?
C shaped cartilage rings. They aren’t completes so that oesophagus space isn taken up and muscle can run down the posterior
What are the ends of the cartilage in the trachea connected by?
A band of smooth muscle (trachealis) which contracts for coughing
What is in the lamina propria and submucosa layer of the trachea?
Many elastin fibres and all submucosal glands for producing extra mucus
What does the mucocillary escalator do?
Removes debris against gravity to the pharynx to be swallowed and digested