Resperatory System

Question 1

Respiratory Anatomy

Answer 1

Upper Respiratory Tract
- Nasal Cavity
- Pharnyx
- Larynx

Lower Respiratory Tract
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Alveoli
- Lungs

Question 2

Physiology/Function

Answer 2

• Exchange of gases: of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Occurs through the walls of the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries and of the capillaries and body cells within tissues
• Olfaction: sense of smell. Enters during inhalation. Activates olfactory nerve endings in superior nasal cavity. Travels to temporal lobe in brain.
• Sound Production: air moving over volcano chords, causing them to vibrate.
• Maintains homeostasis: supplies the body with oxygen and eliminates carbon dioxide. Regulates blood pH.

Question 3

Nasal Cavity

Answer 3

• located in upper respiratory tract
• hallow space separated into right/left halves by a septum
• entrance by nasal cavity (anterior nares)
• exit into pharynx by posterior nares
• conchae: rigid projections in the walls of the nasal cavity
  -meatuses: a grooved passageway that lies beneath each conchae
• considered the “air conditioning chambers”
• epistaxis: nose bleed due to pressure or friction on superficial blood vessels.

Question 4

Air Filtration in Nasal Cavity

Answer 4

1. Air is warmed as it passes over blood vessels
2. Air is moistened by goblet cells (produces mucus)
3. Air is cleansed by nasal hairs.
4. Cilia (hairlike projections on mucosae) transports mucus to pharynx to be swallowed, expelled, sneezed, or coughed out.

Question 5

Paranasal Sinuses

Answer 5

• air-filled spaces lined with mucosa that open into nasal cavities.
• lighten the skull
• resonance chambers for sound
• frontal sinuses: superior to the eyebrows
• sphenoid sinuses: posterior to the eyes in the sphenoid bone
• ethmoid sinuses: in the ethmoid bone between the nasal cavities and the eyes, and are collection of small air cells that open into the nasal cavities
• maxillary sinuses: largest of paranasal sinuses. In the maxilla inferior to the cheeks and superior to teeth

Question 6

Pharynx

Answer 6

• located in upper respiratory tract
• aka throat
• muscular tube from nasal cavity to the larynx
• about 5 inches
• 3 regions
  
  • nasopharynx: superior region that connects the nasal cavity with the pharynx
  • oropharynx: visible by looking at the back of the roof of the mouth (contains tonsils)
  • laryngopharynx: inferior region and begins at the hyoid bone. Separates into the esophagus and larynx. Passage ways for both respiratory and digestive systems

Question 7

Larynx

Answer 7

• located in upper respiratory tract
• aka voice box
• connects to trachea
• segmented cartilaginous tissue
• connects to muscles, ligaments, and the hyoid bone
• thyroid cartilage: largest segment of cartilage (Adam’s apple)
• glottis: contains vocal chords/folds. Narrower > higher pitched voice
  
  • vocal chords protect lower airways during swallowing
• epiglottis: flap over glottis during swallowing. Aka “guardian of the airways”

Question 8

Trachea

Answer 8

• located in the Lower Respiratory Tract
• aka windpipe
• anterior to the esophagus
• connects larynx to bronchi
• about 9 in long with about 16-21 C-shaped rings
  
  • allows esophagus to expand into trachea if necessary
  • reinforces trachea during pressure changes while breathing
• carina: trachea bifurcates into right/left primary bronchi
  
  • initiates coughing, highly sensitive

Question 9

Bronchi

Answer 9

• located in the Lower Respiratory Tract
• leads from trachea to lungs
• right bronchus: wider, steeper downward angle, more prone to clogging.
• branches into the bronchial tree
• bronchioles: small branches that lead to alveolar ducts and alveoli. Cartilage decreases, smooth muscles increases.

Question 10

Alveoli

Answer 10

• located in the Lower Respiratory Tract
• sacs attached to alveolar ducts
• primary gas exchange structures
• 1 lung has about 300 million alveoli, 2 lungs = 1000 ft^2
• respiratory membrane: facilitates gas exchange
  
  • alveolar epithelium
  • basement membrane
  • capillary endothelium
• surfactants: fluid coating alveoli reducing surface tension, allowing alveoli to not stick together

Question 11

Lungs

Answer 11

• located in the Lower Respiratory Tract
• primary organs of respiration
• lies from clavicle to diaphragm, interior of ribcage
• right lobe: 3 lobes
• left lung: 2 lobes
  
  • contains cardiac notch to accommodate the heart
• lined with pleural membranes: lubricated with serous fluid
  
  • visceral pleura: attaches to lungs
  • parietal pleura: attaches to mediastinum and internal chest wall

Question 12

Air Pathway

Answer 12

Nose
> Nasal Cavity
> Pharynx
> Larynx
> Trachea
> Bronchi
> Bronchioles
> Alveoli