Respiratory Revision Flashcards
What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
The exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the blood
Define the Nares
nostrils
Define the Hard palate
hard roof of the mouth
Define the oral cavity
the mouth
Define the tongue
muscle in the oral cavity
Define the nasopharynx
connects nose to the respiratory system
Define soft palate
back of the mouth behind the hard palate
Define the uvula
fleshy lump at back of mouth, prevents food/drink going up to the nose
Define the Oropharynx
junction between nose and throat/ back of the throat
Define the epiglottis
flap covering the trachea that prevents food from entering the respiratory system
define the larynx
Voice box, contains vocal cords, carries air between trachea and oropharynx
Define the thyroid cartilage
tough frontal protective layer of the larynx (also adams apple)
Define cricoid cartilage
tough back layer of larynx
define oesophagus
tube that carries food/drink from mouth to stomach
define the trachea
windpipe, carries air from lungs through the larynx to the mouth and vice versa
Difference between the upper and lower respiratory tract
Upper (head+mouth) and lower (lungs)
Define the bronchi
two large tubes that carry air from the trachea to the lungs
Define the bronchioles
smaller branches of airways connected to the bronchi
Define the alveoli
tiny sacs at the end of the bronchioles, the location where the lungs and the blood exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide during the process of breathing in+out
Outline the process of Pulmonary gas exchange
> Primary goal is the exchange of oxygen in and carbon dioxide out
Oxygen enters the lungs and reaches the alveoli
Carbon dioxide diffuses into the lungs via the blood and reaches the alveoli
Oxygen and Carbon dioxide are exchanged at the alveoli via diffusion at the capillary networks covering the alveoli
Oxygen enters the blood and is carried around the body, carbon dioxide enters the lungs and is exhaled
Define Ventilation
the movement of air between the atmosphere and the lungs, inspiration and expiration
Define diffusion
the exchange of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) between the blood’s RBC and the lungs
Define perfusion
delivery of RBC to the lungs
Define compliance
indication of how well the chest wall + lungs can expand and collapse. Poor compliance = increased difficulty inflating the lungs
Define resistance
the size of the airway, resistance increases when the diameter of the airway decreases
define V/O mismatch
issues with ventilation and perfusion can result in alteration of gas diffusion
Define V/O mismatch with Ventilation/perfusion matching
Normal healthy breathing
Define V/O mismatch with Ventilation/perfusion mismatching
one or more areas of the lungs receive oxygen but no blood flow, or blood flow with no oxygen
Define V/O mismatch as a Shunt
when blood perfuses to the lungs but returns to systemic circulation without having been oxygenated due to alveoli damage/inhibition
Define V/O mismatch as a dead space unit
representing the volume of ventilated air that does not participate in gas exchange
