Lower Respiratory System Flashcards
What makes up the lower system?
Larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli
What is the Larynx?
Portion of airway between pharynx and trachea, important for speech
What is the larynx made of?
Cartilage
Where is the larynx located?
At the root of the tongue and the upper end of the trachea.
What does the larynx do?
Regulates volume of air that enters and exits the lungs
What does air flows from the pharynx to the larynx through?
Glottis (slit like opening between vocal chords)
What does air flow through when travelling from the pharynx to larynx?
The glottis (slit like opening between vocal cords)
What is the larynx lined with?
Ciliated respiratory mucosa that forms two pairs of folds
Vestibular folds
Upper folds: protect larynx
Focal folds
Lower folds: produce sounds need for speech and other vocalisations
What happens to the larynx during swallowing?
Larynx is elevated and epiglottis folds back over glottis (prevents food and liquid entering respiratory tract)
Trachea
Tough, flexible tube that extends from the larynx to primary bronchi
What is the tracheal wall made of?
Tracheal wall is made of:
- Adventitia (superficial)
Smooth muscle and C-shaped cartilage rings
- Respiratory mucosa (deep)
- Posterior wall contains many elastic fires
Which feature of the trachea allows the oesophagus to expand into trachea during swallowing?
Incomplete rings and posterior elasticity
What do the incomplete rings and posterior elasticity of the trachea allow for?
Allow the oesophagus to expand into trachea during swallowing
