Respiratory Flashcards
What are the functions of the respiratory system?
- Protection of respiratory surfaces – such as water loss, temperature, microorganisms and particulate matter
- Sound production
- Olfactory input – smell
- Blood pH regulation
What is the importance of the elastic and collagen components of the lungs?
They allow for sthrength and passive recoil (elastic fibres).
What are the two divisions of the respiratory system?
- Upper respiratory tract – nose, nasal cavities, paranasal sinuses and pharynx
- Lower respiratory tract – larynx, trachea, bronchial tree and lungs
What are the two functional divisions of the respiratory system?
- Conduction part – involved with transfer of gases – nasal cavity, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles
- Respiratory part – respiration mechanisms – respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveoli
Histologically, how does the respiratory tract changes as we travel from the conducting part to the respiratory part?
The epithelium lining of the respiratory tract changes due to change in function mainly:
- Height of the epithelium changes – changes occur to the height of the cells, as we travel down to the respiratory part cells become more vertically challenged
- The complexity of the epithelium changes – there are less cells of different types present in the epithelium lining as we travel from the conduction to respiratory part of the respiratory tract.
How can we describe the function of the ciliated cells in the respiratory tract?
Muco-ciliary escalator
What type of epithelium is present in the upper part of the airway?
A pseudo-stratified ciliated epithelium
What type of epithelium present in the parts of the airway that come in contact with food?
A stratified squamous epithelium
What type of epithelium is present in the lower respiratory tract?
A pseudo-stratified ciliated epithelum
What type of epithelium is present in the bronchioles?
Simple cuboidal
What type of epithelium is present in the gas exchange area?
Simple squamous epithelium
What are the 5 cells of respiratory epithelium?
- Pseudostratified columnar ciliated
- Mucous goblet
- Brush
- Basal
- Small granule
What is the function of pseudostratified columnar cells?
They are the most common cell in the respiratory tract. There function is to be the muco-ciliary escalator.
What is the function of the goblet cell?
To produce mucus.
What is the function of the brush cells?
We don’t know but they are there.
What is the function of the basal cell?
They act as stem cells
What is the function of small granule cells?
They act as enteroendocrine (release hormones) cells.
What are the major functions of conduction portion of the respiratory tract?
- Moisten / humidify – serous & mucous secretion
- Warm & humidify – vein network
- Trap dust / allergens – mucus
- Move trapped particles – muco-ciliary escalator
What is the function of an epiglottis?
It prevents the entry of food from the pharynx to the larynx.
What are the three function of the larynx?
- Prevent air entry to oesophagus
- Prevent food/liquid entry to lower respiratory tract
- Allow phonation
What are anatomical significance of the trachea?
- The C shape hyaline cartilage which provides structure
- The muscle and ligament on the posterior surface which allows for contraction and change in shape of the cartilage and prevention of over extension.
What type of cartilage present on the bronchus?
Irregular shaped hyaline cartilage.
At which point does the transition between the conduction and respiratory part of the respiratory system occur?
This occurs when terminal bronchioles brunch into respiratory bronchioles.
What is the pleura?
It is a double serous membrane with collagen and elastic CT. 2 layers – visceral and parietal.
What are the three different types of bronchioles?
- Larger bronchioles
- Terminal bronchioles
- Respiratory bronchioles
What are the types of cells within the alveoli?
- Type 1 alveolar cell – flat cell that is used in the blood gass barrier
- Type 2 alveolar cell – produces surfactant
- Alveolar macrophage – typical macrophage function – protection by engulfing pathogens and antigens
What are the structural part of the alveolar and what are their functions?
- Respiratory bronchioles – carry gasses to and from the alveolar sacs, connect the alveolar sacs together.
- Alveolar sacs – sac like collection of alveoli
- Alveolar ducts – connect the alveoli together
- Alveoli – respiratory conducting part that have a direction connection to blood gas barrier.
What are the functions of the club cells?
- Produce one component of surfactant
- Bronchiolar progenitor cells
- Immune system regulation
- Environmental protection function (thru use of GAGs, enzymes and other substances).
What is the structural importance of basement membrane in alveolar gas exchange?
In order to achieve the optimal diffusion of gasses – the distance between the alveolus and the capillaries need to be minimized.
This is done by fusing the basement membrane of the alveolar septum and the endothelium (capillaries) into 1 shared basement membrane. This means that instead of traveling through 2 seprate membrane, the gas only needs to diffuse through 1 basement membrane, which induces a higher rate of gas exchange between the alveoli and capillaries.
What is the function of type II pneumocyte?
Their function is to synthesize and release surfactant. The surfactant is able to reduce the alveolar surface tension and prevent alveolar collapse during expiration.
What connective tissue provide support to the alveoli?
- A few fibroblasts
- Reticular fibers
- Collagen fibers
- Elastic fibers (elastic recoil)
What is asthma and what are the potential implication for dental treatment it may cause?
Asthma – a chronic inflammation of the bronchioles.
Potential relation to oral health include:
• Increased caries development
• Reduced saliva flow
• Changes in oral mucosa
• Orofacial abnormalities
Why do dentist need to know about the respiratory system?
- Mouth if part of the upper respiratory system thus dental procedures can impede airflow
- LA and sedation can alter respiratory function
- Potential to cause of respiratory episodes
- Clients pre-existing respiratory conditions could interact with dental procedures
What are the function o the respiratory system?
- Homeostasis of oxygen and carbon dioxide
- Homeostasis of pH
What is cellular respiration?
It is a metabolic process in cells. Cells use oxygen for metabolism and excrete carbon dioxide.
What is external respiration?
It is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between atmosphere and cells of body. It has 4 steps.
What are the 4 steps of external respiration?
- Ventilation or gas exchange between the atmosphere and air sacs in the lungs
- Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between air in the alveoli and the blood in the pulmonary capillaries
- transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide by the blood between the lungs and the tissues
- Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood in the systemic capillaries and the tissue cells
So what is the point of the cartilage in the trachea and larynx and why don’t we have in lower respiratory portion of the respiratory tract?
Cartilage provides structure to the upper airways which prevents if from deflating or collapsing when large forces are apply in respiration in order to have ultimate flow of gases.
The alveoli need an ability to stretch for ultimate gas exchange thus having cartilage around them will be counterintuitive. Rather they have elastic tissue for recoil.