Respiratory Flashcards
air enters the respiratory tract through the ________ and then passes through the nasal cavity, where it is filtered through mucous membranes and ___
external nares; nasal hairs (vibrissae)
another word for nasal hairs is
vibrissae
the pharynx is a pathway for:
the lungs and food destined for the esophagus
the larynx is a pathway for
only air
glottis
the opening of the larynx that is covered by the epiglottis during swallowing
from the larynx, air passes into the trachea and then into
one of the two mainstream bronchi
which type of cells are found in the bronchi and trachea?
epithelial cells
alveoli
tiny balloon like structures in which gas exchange occurs.
each alveolus is coated with
surfactant; a detergent that lowers surface tension and prevents the alveolus from collapsing on itself
pleurae
membranes that surround each lung
There are 2 pleurae’s
visceral pleura
parietal pleura
diaphragm
thin, muscular structure that divides the thoracic (chest) cavity from the abdominal cavity
under somatic control (even though breathing is up autonomic control)
the intercellular space contains
a thin layer of fluid
Inhalation
active process
we use our diaphragm as well as the external intercostal muscles (one of the layers of the muscles between the ribs) to expand the thoracic cavity
As the diaphragm flattens and the chest wall expands outward, the intrathoracic volume (volume of the chest cavity) decreases or increases?
Specifically, because the intracellular space most clearly abuts the chest wall, its volume (decreases/increases) first.
increases; increases
An increase in intracellular volume leads to a _____ in intrapleural pressure
decrease
the gas in the lungs is initially at
atmospheric pressure (now higher than the pressure in the intracellular space)
negative pressure breathing
as the chest wall expands, the pressure in the lungs drops, and the air is drawn into the lungs
when the air is sucked in from a high pressure environment (the outside world)
the driving force is the lower (relatively negative) pressure in the intracellular space compared with the lungs
boyles law states that
the pressure and volume of gases are inversely related
Exhalation
does not have to be an active process
as the diaphragm and external intercostals relax, the chest cavity decreases its volume
Spirometer
cannot measure the amount of air remaining in the lung after complete exhalation (residual volume)
tests: total lung capacity Residual volume (RV) Vital Capacity (VC) Tidal volume (TV) Expiratory reserve volume (ERV) inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)
total lung capacity (TLC)
The maximum volume of air int he lungs when one inhales completely; usually around 6 to 7 liters
Residual volume (RV)
The minimum volume of air in the lungs when on exhales completely
Vital Capacity (VC)
the difference between the minimum and maximum volume of air in the lungs (TLC - RV)
