Lower Airway

Question 1

why is the lower respiratory tract virtually sterile

Answer 1

because of the various defense mechanisms in the upper respiratory system

Question 2

what are the protective mechanisms of the lower airway

Answer 2

• all the tubes in the lower airway contain goblet cells, which secrete mucus to entrap any particles
• microorganisms and other foreign bodies are removed from the air by tiny hair-like structures called cilia

Question 3

what are the gas exchange, perfusion, and respiration of the lower airway

Answer 3

lung tissue receives its blood supply from the bronchial artery, which branches directly off the thoracic aorta

Question 4

what is the ventilation of the lower airway

Answer 4

the act of breathing is controlled by the CNS

Question 5

what is acute bronchitis

Answer 5

caused most frequently by virus

Question 6

what is asthma

Answer 6

disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of bronchospasm, bronchial muscle spasm that leads to narrowed or obstructed airways

Question 7

what is chronic airway limitation

Answer 7

an umbrella term that describes gradually progressive, degenerative diseases, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or repeated, severe asthma attacks

Question 8

what is chronic bronchitis

Answer 8

a long-standing, largely irreversible inflammation of the bronchial tree

Question 9

what is emphysema

Answer 9

an abnormal distention of the lungs with air characterized by loss or degeneration of elastic tissue, disapperance of capillary walls, and breakdown of the alveolar walls

Question 10

what is pneumonia

Answer 10

an inflammation of the lungs. it can be caused by bacterial or viral invasion of the tissue or by aspiration of foreign substances into the lower respiratory tract

Question 11

what is cystic fibrosis

Answer 11

a hereditary disease that affects the functioning of the body’s exocrine glands: the mucus-secreting and sweat gland.