Respiratory Flashcards
Functions of the respiratory system
Exchange of gases
Sound production and vocalization
Upper respiratory system division includes
Outside (superior) thorax
- nasal cavity
- larynx
Lower respiratory system division includes
Inside thorax
- bronchial tree
- lungs
Conducting Zones
Nostrils through the terminal bronchioles
- transports air to the lungs
- filters, humidifiers, and warms inspired air
- lined with respiratory epithelium
What type of cells are respiratory epithelium?
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar with goblet cells
Respiratory Zones
From respiratory bronchioles through the alveoli (microscopic)
- where gas exchange occurs
What parts are involved in the conducting portion?
- Nasal cavity
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx
- larynx
- Trachea
- Bronchus
- Bronchioles
- Terminal bronchioles
Nasal Cavity areas (2)
Olfactory - superior (top) 1/3
Respiratory - inferior (bottom) 2/3
Functions of the nasal cavity
Respiration
Olfaction
Filtration of dust
Humidification and warming of inspired air
Reception of paranasal and nasolacrimal secretions
Which bones divide the nasal cavity into right and left sides?
perpendicular plate of ethmoid bone
vomer bone
septal cartilage
The floor of the nasal cavity consists of…
hard and soft palate
The roof of the nasal cavity consists of…
ethmoid and sphenoid bones
Describe the lateral wall of the nasal cavity
Has 3 shelf-like curved bones (concha) that protrude out into the nasal cavity
- superior middle and inferior concha
Under each concha, there is are spaces called meatuses
- many structures empty into each meatus
How do conchae and respiratory epithelium work together to protect against pathogens?
Conchae produce a quart of fluid per day which provides protection against pathogens
- Cillia push the mucus to the back of the throat to be swallowed
Functions of the paranasal sinuses
Lighten the mass of the skull
Increase surface area of nasal mucosa
Serve as resonating chambers within the skull
What are the names of each of the 4 sinuses?
Frontal
Ethmoid
Sphenoid (behind the ethmoid)
Maxillary
Where does the nasolacrimal duct drain into?
Inferior meatus
Where do the maxillary and frontal sinuses drain into?
Middle meatus
What are the three pharyngeal regions?
- Nasopharynx - posterior to the nasal cavity and superior to the soft palate
- Oropharynx - from the soft palate to the epiglottis
- Laryngopharynx - from the epiglottis to the pharynx
(Top to Bottom 1-3)
Function of the Nasopharynx
Air passage only
- includes adenoids and auditory eustachian tube
Function of the Oropharynx
Air and food passageway
- includes palatine tonsils, and fauces
What is the fauces?
The archway between the uvula and epiglottis
Function of the Laryngopharynx
Serves as an air and food passageway
Larynx
Organ of phonation (voicebox)
- passageway for air and a protective sphincter preventing foreign bodies from entering the airway
Larynx Structure
Hangs from the hyoid bone by the thyrohyoid membrane
- composed of 9 cartilages
Vestibular (false) vocal folds
Not involved in phonation
- prevent foreign bodies from entering the larynx
True Vocal Folds
Vocal Chords
- span between arytenoid and thyroid cartilages
- movement of these cartilages adjusts tension and position of the true folds
Vestibule compartment of the larynx
Region superior to false vestibular folds
Ventricle compartment of the larynx
Slit-like space between the false and true focal folds
Infraglottic cavity compartment of the larynx
space inferior to the true vocal folds and superior to the cricoid cartilage
Function of the lateral cricoarytenoid
Close/adduct the vocal folds
Function of the posterior cricoarytenoid
Only abductor of the true vocal folds
Function of the C-shaped cartilage in the trachea
Rings that give support to prevent wall from collapsing and obstructing airway
Trachealis in the trachea
Smooth muscle and elastic connective tissue connect ends of C-cartilage posteriorly
Carina in the trachea
Projection of inferior most tracheal cartilage at the point where the trachea divides into the right and left primary bronchi
- Contains sensitive receptors for triggering a cough reflex
Main/Primary Bronchi Characteristics
Right main bronchus is more vertical than the left
- Left bronchus crosses over the heart making it longer and more horizontal
- Right bronchus is where food gets lodged
Cartilage and smooth muscle in the bronchi
As the tube becomes smaller, the amount of cartilage decreases and the smooth muscle increases
Intrapulmonary bronchi
bronchi within the lungs
- have islands of cartilage
Do bronchioles have cartilage?
No but they do have a complete ring of smooth muscle
Where does the primary bronchi enter the lung?
At the hilus
What structures form the root of the lung?
Pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, lymphatics, and bronchiolar arteries
What is the functional unit of the respiratory portion?
Alveolus
Where does the respiratory portion begin?
At the respiratory bronchiole
Important function of the respiratory portion?
Dual function - conduction function but has openings in its walls that connect to alveoli so it also has a respiratory function
What indicates the first place that respiration can occur along the bronchioles?
Appearance of alveoli after the terminal bronchiole
What does each respiratory bronchiole end in?
An alveolar sac
What is the alveolus?
thin-waled sac that is pushed up against a neighboring thin-walled sac
- creates an intervening interalveolar septum where the capillaries necessary for oxygenation of the blood are located
What is the blood-air barrier?
The distance between the lumen of the capillary and the alveolar sac
Type 1 alveolar cells/pneumocytes
(lining) Squamous type which forms the majority of the alveolar wall
- very thin, allows for diffusion to occur
Type 2 alveolar cells/pneumocytes
(secretory) Cuboidal type which secretes surfactant
What is surfactant?
A lipid substance that lowers surface tension to stop the alveolar walls from sticking to one another during exhalation
What is the pleura?
A serous slippery membrane that lines surface of the lung and posterior surface of the thoracic wall
Where is the visceral pleura?
Touching the lung
Where is the parietal pleura?
Outer layer that does not directly touch the lung
Parietal layer characteristics?
Outer, highly sensitive layer, that lines body wall and mediastinum
- innervated by the ventral rami via the intercostal nerves
- 3 divisions
What are the 3 divisions of the pleura?
Mediatinal - lines mediastinum
Costal - lines back of rib cage
Diaphragmatic - lines surface of the diaphragm
Visceral layer characteristics?
Inner, insensitive to pain, found inseparably attached to the surface of the lung
What is the pleural cavity?
The space between the parietal and visceral layer of serous fluid
Characteristics of both lungs
Pink, soft, spongy, and elastic
- conical shaped
- fissures divide the lung into lobes
Characteristics of the right lung
Has 2 fissures - oblique and horizontal
- Larger with 3 lobes
- Middle lobe
Characteristics of the left lung
Has 1 fissure - oblique fissure
- Smaller with 2 lobes
- Cardiac notch
A lung is supplied by a _____ bronchus
Primary
A lobe of the lung is supplied by a _______ bronchus
Secondary / Lobar
A bronchopulmonary segment (BPS) of the lung is supplied by a _______ bronchus
Tertiary / Segmental
What is the bronchopulmonary segment?
Smallest surgically removable part of the lung
- each lung has about 10 BPS
