Respiratory Strand: Lecture 1 - Introduction to Respiratory Anatomy Flashcards
What are 3 functions of the respiratory system?
- Gas exchange -O2 passes from air to blood -CO2 passes from blood to air 2. Speech Vocal chords and larynx change size and shape as we exhale 3. Smell Specialised epithelium called mucosa in superior aspect of nasal cavity
How is the respiratory system divided functionally?
Into two: 1. Conducting portion -transports air -conditions air (warms, moistens and filters air as structures are delicate) 2. Respiratory portion -thin, moist, delicate membrane -site of gaseous exchange
What are sinuses?
Air filled spaces in the skull
Explain how air travels in the conducting portion
Air enters via nasal cavity 1. trachea 2. primary bronchi 3. lobar (secondary) bronchi 4. segmental (tertiary) bronchi 5. terminal bronchi image slide 9
How many paranasal sinuses are there, and what do they do?
Four Nasal cavity opens into paranasal sinuses They warm, moisten and filter air
What is the mediastinum?
The space containing the heart
Explain how the thoracic cavity is sub divided (image)
-2 pleural sacs (invaginated by lungs) -trachea divided into 2 primary bronchi -midline region: mediastinum (encloses heart, major vessels and nerves, trachea, oesophagus) -cut edge of ribs -diaphragm
Explain how the right lung is divided
It has 3 lobes: inferior, middle, superior image
Explain how the left lung is divided
It has 2 lobes: inferior and superior
How are the left and right lung different?
Right lung is shorter, broader and larger than the left Left is tall and narrow
Why does the right lung have 3 lobes but the left has two?
Because of the presence of the heart
How are the lobes separated?
Oblique fissures
What does the respiratory portion involve?
Branching of terminal bronchioles to respiratory bronchioles and alveolar sacs
What do the capillary beds that surround the alveolar sacs do?
- Receive deoxygenated blood via the pulmonary arteries 2. Send oxygenated blood via pulmonary veins Image slide 10
What do arteries do?
Carry deoxygenated blood away from the heart
What do veins do?
Carry oxygenated blood to the heart
What pattern of bronchi do both arteries and veins follow?
To lungs, to lobes, to segments
How are the lungs divided anatomically? Why is this important?
Upper respiratory tract (URT) and lower respiratory tract (LRT) Important for classifying respiratory tract infections
What do the URT and LRT each consist of?
URT - nasal cavity to pharynx to larynx (also includes sinuses) LRT - Trachea to Bronchi to lungs
What are the functions of the thoracic cage?
- Protection Bony cage around vital organs (including upper abdominal organs) 2. Respiratory movements Changes in thoracic volume underlie movement of fresh air into lungs and stale air out
How many pairs of ribs do we have?
12 pairs of ribs
Do all ribs have their own coastal cartilage?
No 1-10 is attached to sternum via costal cartilage 11 and 12 are floating ribs- they aren’t attached at all image - slide 14
What are the 3 planes of movement of breathing?
Vertical or antero-posterior or transverse or all 3
Give 6 features of the diaphragm
-Closes off thoracic outlet -Separates thorax from abdomen -Comprises radial muscle fibres inserted into central tendon -Domes upwards – more on right -Plays major role in breathing; -Apertures allow passage of structures (vessels, nerves, oesophagus) to and from abdomen.
