Respiratory Anatomy Flashcards
What is the name for the process for breathing?
Cyclical respiratory muscle contraction
What are turbinates?
Found behind the nose
Membrane structure which provides large surface area for heating and humidifying the air
Disrupts air flow, creating resistance to increase the chance of inhaled particles being trapped
Why does air need to be humidified before entering the lungs?
To prevent the alveolar linings from drying out
O2 and CO2 can’t diffuse through dry membranes
What are the lobe layout in the lungs and why is this?
3 lobes on right
2 lobes on left
Asymmetrical as need space for heart on left
What is the respiratory quotient and how do you calculate it?
Ratio of CO2 produced to O2 consumed
CO2/O2
Name and describe the two autonomic receptors for respiratory:
Muscarinic- Ach- constriction M3 muscarinic receptor, innervate mucous glands (parasympathetic)
Adrenergic- epinephrine- dilation- B2 receptor (sympathetic)
What are NANC nerves and how can they work in changing diameter of blood vessels?
Non Adrenergic Non Cholinegeric nerves
Inhibitory- efferent fibres causing bronchodilation
Excitatory- sensory fibres leading to bronchoconstriction, relax airway smooth muscle by releasing nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide.
What is asthma?
Recurrent attacks of breathlessness
The airway obstruction is mostly reversible with treatment
What is COPD?
Airflow obstruction which is usually progressive, not fully reversible
From the result of chronic inflammation
What are the causes of asthma?
Genetic: age, atopy, gender
Environmental: Allergens, pollutants, smoke
What is extrinsic and intrinsic asthma?
Extrinsic- atopic, episodic, younger early onset, raised IgE levels (allergic)
Intrinsic- non- atopic, chronic, late adult onset, exercise, normal IgE levels (non-allergic)
What are the causes of COPD?
More than 90% due to smoking but only 10% of smokers have it
2% genetic, anti-alpha trypsin deficiency
What are exacerbations?
A sustained worsening of the patients symptoms from their usual
What is diurnal variation?
From day to day, symptoms are different
What is the larynx compromised of?
Thyroid cartilage
Which cells produce mucus?
Goblet and submucosal cells
What is the trachea compromised of?
Incomplete rings made of hyaline cartilage
What are the three neural control components in respiration?
- Generation of alternating inspiration/ expiration rhythm
- Regulation of magnitude of ventilation
- Modified respiratory movements
e.g voluntary= speech, involuntary= cough/sneeze
Describe the respiratory tree from top to bottom:
Nasal passages
Mouth
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles