Resp region Flashcards
Resp region compromised of
Bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs and alveoli
Alveoli is the site of what
Site of gas exchange between body and external atmosphere
The resp bronchioles and alveolar ducts provide a passage for gases to enter and leave what
Alveoli
Alveoli sacs are what
Bunch of alveoli
Resp region is where what actually happens
Oxygen and CO2 are exchanged between bloodstream and atmosphere
The barrier through which gases diffuse is
Resp membrane
Resp membrane is composed of what epitheliums and what cells and what fibre
Alveolar Epithelium, capillary endothelium, fused basal laminas of the alveolar epithelium and capillary endothelium.
Type 1 cell - which is the flattened alveolar epithelial cell
Endothelial cell - which is the flattened capillary endothelial cell
Collagen fibres and proteins in between the cells - fused basal laminas
Another specialised cell present in each alveolus is
Type 2
Type 2 cells secrete what
Surfactant
Surfactant does what
Reduces surface tension of the watery fluid that coats the surface
Surface tension relates to what and what is the benefit of surfactant interfering
Relates to the attractive force between adjacent water molecules. Interference prevents collapsing of of the alveoli due to surface tension
Premature babies produce insufficient what and this causes what problem
Insufficient surfactant and so has difficulty keeping alveoli open without aid of a respirator/humidicrib
What has been linked to decreased surfactant production in infant lungs
SIDS and asthma
What monocyte does alveoli also contain
Macrophages
Alveolar pores connecting adjacent alveoli do what
Allow air pressure throughout lungs to be equalised and provide alternative routes in the case of failure of an alveoli
