Respiration Flashcards
What does the bronchial tree consist of?
Trachea
Bronchi
Explain the trachea.
A system of hollow tunes made up of 16-30 cartilagenous rings that are open at the back. Smooth muscles are between the rings and form the back wall of the trachea. Muscles and cartilage are covered by mucous membrane.
Explain the bronchial tree.
Trachea splits into two branches called the primary bronchi.
Each primary bronchi enters lungs and splits into secondary bronchi.
Secondary bronchi divides into tertiary bronchi which divides into respiratory and terminal bronchioles
Explain the alveoli.
Alveoli contain surfactant which keeps them inflated. Surfactant is a combo of protein and fat.
Describe the lungs.
Lungs are porous and elastic.
Right lung larger than the left to accommodate the heart.
Describe Henry’s law.
Gas moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.
Describe gas exchange.
A web of blood vessels are wrapped around the thin walls of the alveoli.
When the pressure of oxygen in the alveoli is greater than the pressure of oxygen in the blood capillaries, oxygen leaves the alveoli and enters the blood stream.
When the pressure of carbon dioxide is greater in the blood than in the alveoli, carbon dioxide leaves the blood and enters the alveoli to be exhaled.
Describe the diaphragm.
The diaphragm is the primary muscle of respiration.
Thin, musculotendinous sheet
Has a central tendon
Has three diaphragmatic hiatuses (holes):
Esophageal hiatus
Foramen vena cava
Aortic hiatus
Explain the intercostals
External intercostals elevate the ribs and provide structure for intercostal spaces
Internal intercostals lower ribs to reduce thoracic volume
What does the pulmonary apparatus consists of?
Trachea Bronchi Bronchioles Alveoli Lungs
Explain the pleural linkage.
Lungs need an external force to increase and decrease its volume
The force provided through structure and linkage of the lungs and thorax is called pleural linkage.
Visceral pleura is a membrane covering the outside of each lungs.
Parietal pleura covers the inside of the thorax.
They are both on continous sheet.
Space between the two pleurae is called pleural space and contains pleural fluid which allow for friction free movement.
Explain the pressure of the pleural linkage.
The pressure inside the pleural space is negative.
Difference between the pressures of the lungs and pleural space is always positive.
Explain pneumothorax.
Each lungs is encased in its own visceral pleura.
If one pleura I penetrated the lung will collapse
Other lungs remains in tact.
Describe the process of inhalation.
Breathing occurs by changing pressures within the lungs. When lung (alveolar) pressure is negative, air from the atmosphere enters the lungs. The diaphragm contracts to pull lungs down and create negative pressure.
Describe the process for exhalation.
When alveolar pressure is positive, air from lungs are forced out of the respiratory system.
The diaphragm relaxing for exhalation.
