Respiratory Function and Structure

Question 1

List four functions of the respiratory system

Answer 1

• Gas Exchange
• Acid Base Balance
• Protection from Infection
• Communication via speech

Question 2

Integration of which two systems allows effective gas exchange?

Answer 2

Respiratory- acquires oxygen and removes Carbon Dioxide

Cardio- transports oxygen to tissues and C02 away.

Question 3

Describe the pulmonary circulation;`

Answer 3

Pulmonary Artery- deoxygenated blood away from the right heart to the lungs.
Pulmonary Vein- oxygenated blood away from the lungs to the left side of the heart.

Question 4

What are the two sites of gas exchange?

Answer 4

1. Between blood and cells in tissues.

2. Between pulmonary circulation and alveoli.

Question 5

Describe Changes in the CVS and RS in response to exercise.

Answer 5

Rate and Depth of breathing increase. More gas exchanged in lungs
HR and FoC increase. More gas exchanged in tissues.

Question 6

What are the average volumes exchanged?

Answer 6

250ml Oxygen per Minute

200ml Carbon Dioxide per Minute.

Question 7

Average breathing rate?

Answer 7

10-20 breaths per minute.

Question 8

Parts of the Respiratory Tract.

Answer 8

1. Nose- humidifies air
2. Pharynx- throat
3. Epiglottis- flap which closes over the trachea during swallowing.
4. Larynx- voice box
5. Trachea- Stiff C-shaped rings of cartilage.
6. Bronchus- two main left and right bronchi lead into the lungs.
7. Left and right lungs.

Question 9

Describe differences between the left and right lungs

Answer 9

Left Lung- two lobes separated by an oblique fissure, the heart sits on the medial side and creates the cardiac notch.
Right Lung- three lobes separated by horizontal and oblique fissures. Sits slightly higher up due to the position of the liver.

Question 10

Where is the division between the lower and upper respiratory tract?

Answer 10

Anything above and including the larynx is URT

Below Larynx= LRT

Question 11

If a foreign body entered the LRT where is it most likely to lodge and why?

Answer 11

The Right Upper Lobe

- The right bronchi is much more horizontal and is wider than the left.

Question 12

What is the function of C-shaped rings?

Answer 12

They maintain the patency of the trachea and the primary bronchi.

Question 13

What can affect the airway diameter?

Answer 13

The relaxation or contraction of bronchial smooth muscle.

Question 14

What is anatomical dead space?

Answer 14

The air contained in the upper airways which cannot take part in gas exchange.

Question 15

Describe the lining of the respiratory tract.

Answer 15

Pseudo-stratified, ciliated, columnar epithelium.

• Glands
• Lymph Nodes
• Blood Vessels
• Mucous

Question 16

Describe the changes between the nose and alveoli.

Answer 16

• More squamous
• Loss of mucous cells
• Loss of cilia (last)

Question 17

Why mucous?

Answer 17

• Humidifies the air
• Traps debris
• Larger area for cilia
• Produced by goblet cells and subepithelial glands

Question 18

Name the three cell types found in the Alveoli

Answer 18

1. Type 1 Pneumocytes
2. Type II Pneumocytes
3. Macrophages

Question 19

Describe the function of Type 1.

Answer 19

Border systemic capillaries and are responsible for gas exchange.

Question 20

Describe the function of Type 2

Answer 20

Secrete surfactant to reduce surface tension and make breathing easier.

Question 21

Macrophages?

Answer 21

Hoover up pathogens and dirt from the airways then escape to lymph nodes.