Module 2: Respiratory System

Question 1

2 anatomical divisions of respiratory system?

Answer 1

• Upper respiratory tract
• Lower respiratory tract

Question 2

2 functional divisions of respiratory system?

Answer 2

• Conducting zone
• Respiratory zone

Question 3

What comprises upper respiratory tract?

Answer 3

Nasal cavity, nose, sinuses, pharynx, (larynx)

Question 4

What comprises lower respiratory tract?

Answer 4

Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli

Question 5

What is delineated by the conducting zone?

Answer 5

Airways from pharynx, larynx, and trachea -> terminal bronchioles

Question 6

What is delineated by the respiratory zone?

Answer 6

Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveolar sacs, alveoli

Question 7

Role of nasal cavity?

Answer 7

Warming (highly vascularised), humidifying (secretes mucus), and filtering (secretes mucus) of inspired air

Question 8

What is the nasal cavity?

Answer 8

Large space above and behind the nose; where air first flows in, at rest

Question 9

What is inside the nasal cavity?

Answer 9

Curved shelves of bone called conchae, which are lined with respiratory epithelium that secretes mucus

Question 10

What is respiratory epithelium?

Answer 10

Type of pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium

Question 11

Where is the pharynx located?

Answer 11

Located posteriorly to nasal and oral cavities

Question 12

Tissues of pharynx that are involved in immune surveillance?

Answer 12

3 pairs of tonsils

Question 13

Role of pharynx?

Answer 13

Allows both food and air to pass (so, digestive and respiratory)

Question 14

What is the larynx?

Answer 14

Short tube; voice box (contains vocal folds)

Question 15

Structure of larynx?

Answer 15

Short tube comprised of cartilage structures connected by ligaments and muscles; epiglottis located at entrance

Question 16

Role of epiglottis?

Answer 16

Flap of cartilage that directs air through the larynx into the trachea, and food/liquid into the esophagus

Question 17

What is the trachea?

Answer 17

‘Windpipe’; links upper airways to lungs

Question 18

Location of trachea?

Answer 18

Runs anteriorly to esophagus, down neck into chest

Question 19

Structure of trachea?

Answer 19

C-shaped rings of cartilage (which help keep the airway open) connected by smooth muscle

Question 20

What are the primary bronchi?

Answer 20

The two tubes which split from the trachea and carry air into the lungs

Question 21

Difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary bronchi?

Answer 21

Primary bronchi = entry of lungs
Secondary bronchi = entry of lobes
Tertiary bronchi = smallest bronchi

Question 22

What are bronchioles?

Answer 22

Smallest airways of respiratory tract; smaller branches of bronchi

Question 23

What are the most distal bronchioles referred to?

Answer 23

Respiratory bronchioles

Question 24

Role of alveolar ducts?

Answer 24

Connect respiratory bronchioles to alveoli

Question 25

What are alveoli?

Answer 25

Thin-walled, elastic buds at the end of the respiratory tree; where gas exchange occurs

Question 26

What is the diaphragm?

Answer 26

Large thin muscle separating thoracic cavity from abdominal cavity

Question 27

What happens when the diaphragm contracts?

Answer 27

Moves downward -> increases volume of thoracic cavity -> lower pressure -> air drawn into lungs

Question 28

What happens when the diaphgram relaxes?

Answer 28

Recoils upward -> decreases volume of thoracic cavity -> higher pressure -> air forced out of lungs