respiratory anatomy & physiology Flashcards
what is respiration
the exchange of gases between the tissues of the body and external environment
which two gasses does respiration involve and why
O2 - all cells require O2 to function
CO2 - waste product produced during metabolism
what is the first stage of respiration
air is alternately moved into and out of the lungs.
achieved by breathing (or ventilation)
what is the second stage of respiration
exchange of O2 and CO2 between air in lung and blood in capillaries
stage 3 of respiration
transport of O2 and CO2 by blood between the lungs and tissues
stage 4 of respiration
exchange of O2 and CO2 between blood and tissues
other than breathing what are other functions of respiratory system
- speech, singing etc
- water loss and heat elimination
- enhances venous return
- maintains acid base balance
- defends against inhaled foreign matter
- nose serves as the organ of smell
what stimulates taste and smell
G protein coupled receptors
what are the lungs divided into
several lobes (2 on left, 3 on right)
what occupies most of the volume of the thoracic (chest) cavity
the lungs
what separates the thoracic and abdominal cavity
the diaphragm
what is the conducting zone
all the structures that air must pass through to reach the lungs
what is the respiratory zone
the site where gas exchange actually occurs in the lungs
what happens in the conducting zone
air enters via the nose (or mouth) and is filtered, humidified and heated as it passes towards the lungs
what is the conuction zone useful for
saturating air and heating it up
characteristics of the conducting zone
tough, non muscular tube
has rings of cartilage to prevent collapse
is the conducting zone responsive to noradrenaline/adrenaline
no
does the conductive zone contract/expand
no
what is the bronchial tree
the respiratory zone
what are the branches of lungs from least branches to most
the trachea
the primary bronchus
the bronchial tree
terminal bronchioles
characteristics of small bronchioles
- show extensive branching pattern
- no cartilage to hold them open
- walls contain smooth muscle
- sensitive to certain hormones and local chemicals
what innervates the small bronchioles smooth muscle
the ans
can small bronchioles relax and contract
yes because they have no cartilage