Respiratory Pt. 1 Flashcards
What are the functions of the Respiratory System?
1) Area for gas exchange
2) Movement of Air
3) Protection (Dehydration, Temp. changes, pathogens)
4) Sound production
5) Smell
What does the nose consist of?
1) External Nares (nostrils)
2) Nasal Cavity
3) Internal Nares
4) Nasopharynx
What is the purpose of the nasal cavity?
Air movement and flow
What are features of the nasal cavity?
1) Lined with mucus and cilia
2) Allows time for warming and humidifying - trapping pathogens
What is the pharynx?
Chamber shared by digestive and respiratory
What are the three divisions of the Pharynx?
1) Nasopharynx
2) Oropharynx
3) Laryngopharynx
What is the purpose of the pharynx?
Movement of air and food
What is the larynx?
1) “Voice Box”
2) Air passes by the epiglottis and through the glottis into the larynx
What are characteristics of the larynx?
Different sounds are the result of an arrangement of cartilages and folds as well as their thickness and length
What is the purpose of the Trachea and its branches?
Purpose is the movement of air to the alveoli
What is the trachea surrounded by?
Tracheal cartilages (c-shaped)
How do the trachea end up at the alveoli?
1) Trachea splits into right and left primary bronchi
2) Bronchi continue to split inside the lungs, forming the bronchial tree
3) Eventually they end at the alveoli
Where are the lungs?
Contained in the pleural cavities
Why does the left lung only have two lobes unlike the right lung’s three?
B/c the left lung has the cardiac notch
What characteristic does the lungs have?
Elastic to tolerate changes in volume
What are the alveoli?
Gas exchange surfaces
What does the shape of alveoli allow for?
Allows for massive exchange surface
What are alveoli lined with and what effect does it have?
Alveoli are lined with surfactant
1) Surfactant forms a layer that reduces surface tension
2) Without oily layer, alveoli would collapse
What are the three steps of Respiratory Physiology?
1) Pulmonary Ventilation
2) Gas Exchange
3) Gas Transport
What is Pulmonary Ventilation?
Air moving into and out of the lungs
[Cycle of inspiration and expiration]
What occurs during pulmonary ventilation?
1) Air travels down pressure gradient to fill and empty the lungs
2) Muscles like the diaphragm and intercostals control the size of the thoracic cavity
What are the different modes of breathing?
1) Quiet Breathing
2) Forced Breathing
What are characteristics of Quiet Breathing?
1) Inhalation via muscular contractions
a) Diaphragmatic [deep] breathing
b) Costal [shallow]
2) Passive Exhalation
What are characteristics of Forced Breathing?
1) Active inhalation and exhalation
2) Requires accessory muscles
