Physiology Flashcards
what are the 4 main functions of the respiratory system?
- gas exchange
- acid-base balance (regulate pH at 7.4)
- protection from infection- mucus traps pathogens. Cilia beats mucus away.
- communication via speech
what is the resp. system responsible for?
acquiring oxygen & removing co2
what is the difference between cellular and external respiration?
cellular- occurs inside cells aka aerobic respiration
external- integration of cardiovascular & respiratory systems
what is the function of the pulmonary artery?
takes deoxygenated blood away from heart, to lungs
what is the function of the pulmonary vein?
takes oxygenated blood from lungs to heart
how do the cardiovascular and resp systems work together to cater for an increased energy demand of working muscle ?
cardio = increased HR& force of contraction- speeds up waste removal via blood respiratory= increased rate & depth of breathing (increased oxygen transport & co2 removal)
what are the two main places where gas exchange takes place?
lungs- alveoli
systemic capillaries- between capillaries and body cells
where does the respiratory system start?
at the nose
where does the trachea bifurcate?
sternal angle
what does the gas we are inhaling have to be like to undergo gas exchange?
has to be in solution
what do the left and right primary bronchi branch into
secondary bronchi which lead in to the lobes of the lung
how many lobes on right and how many on left
right = 3, left = 2
why is breathing through the nose more effective than breathing through the mouth?
because it is more effective at moistening air that we breathe in
where does the devision of URT & LRT occur ?
larynx
what organs does the URT consist of?
larynx, pharynx, nasal cavity, mouth
what organs does the LRT consist of ?
trachea, bronchi, lungs
which lung is marginally larger and why?
right because part of the left is compressed by the heart
what is the function of the epiglottis?
it is a flap which folds over the trachea to prevent food from entering it when you swallow
what are the lungs encased by?
pleural cavity which contains approx 3ml of fluid
what is the main difference between the right main bronchus and left main bronchus and what happens as a cause of this?
right main bronchus- wider and more obtuse - aspirated foreign bodies commonly lodge here
what does a patent airway mean?
means the airway is open & unobstructed
what are important in maintaining patency of airways?
the rings of cartilage surrounding the airway
what are the first airways to lose the rings of cartilage?
bronchioles
how is patency maintained in the bronchioles?
physical forces of the thorax
what does the conducting zone consist of?
upper airways- trachea and bronchi
what does the respiratory zone consist of and what occurs there?
bronchioles and alveoli, gas exchange occurs there
how can airway diameter be altered?
by the activity of bronchial smooth muscle
what decreases the diameter?
contraction of smooth muscle- increases resistance
what increases the diameter?
relaxation of smooth muscle- decreases resistance
when does resistance to flow become greatest?
in larger airways as there is less of them and therefore more molecules will be there and therefore resistance increases
what is the function of the upper airways?
allow transport of air to and from alveoli, no gas exchange
what is the air in these airways called?
anatomical dead space
what are 2 things alveoli covered in?
- elastic fibres–> stretch when you inspire which requires energy and recoil when you expire which releases energy
- capillaries
what is the function of type 1 alveolar cells ?
gas exchange
what is the function of type 2 alveolar cells ?
surfactant production
what type of cell are capillaries directly adjacent to?
type 1 alveolar cells
what are the things which compose the lining of the respiratory tract?
- epithelium (pseudo- stratified ciliated columnar)
- glands
- lymph nodes
- cilia
- mucous
- blood vessels
what changes occur as you progress from nose down the respiratory tract?
- epithelium becomes more squamous
- mucous cells are lost (goblet cells for example)
- cilia lost (even though they are the last things to be lost)