Respiratory - Structures Of The Lower Respiratory System

Question 1

Organ #4 - trachea : where is it located?

Answer 1

Under larynx and connects to bronchi

Question 2

What is the trachea made up of? Why is this shape?

Answer 2

C shaped rings of hyaline cartilage

C shaped for flexibility, expansion during inhalation, etc

The open part of the C faces the esophagus, allowing the trachea to expand slightly during inhalation & to accommodate food through the esophagus behind it

Question 3

Why is the trachea lined ciliated mucous?

Answer 3

Expels mucous loaded with dust and other debris away from lungs towards pharynx

Question 4

Organ #5 - bronchi : where does it form from?

Answer 4

Trachea at T5

Question 5

What is the difference between right and left bronchi?

Answer 5

Right one is wider and straighter

Question 6

What does bronchi subdivide into?

Answer 6

Bronchioles (smaller branches)

Question 7

Difference between bronchioles and bronchi?

Answer 7

Bronchioles contain smooth muscle (SNS and PNS control)

Bronchi have wall containing cartilage

Question 8

What is the function of bronchioles?

Answer 8

Regulate flow of air into alveoli

Question 9

What is bronchocontriction?

Answer 9

Less air to lungs

Question 10

What is bronchodilation?

Answer 10

Increase airflow to lungs

Question 11

Organ #6 - lungs : where is the heart located if the lungs take up so much room?

Answer 11

Central portion (mediastinum)

Question 12

What is the hilum?

Answer 12

Found on both lungs

Small entry and exit point for structures that connect lungs to the rest of the body

Question 13

Lobes of the right and left lung

Answer 13

Right = superior lobe / middle lobe / inferior lobe

Left = superior lobe / cardiac notch for heart / inferior lobe

Question 14

What is covering the lungs?

Answer 14

A pleural cavity

Question 15

What does the pleural cavity contain?

Answer 15

Parietal pleural (inner surface of chest wall) and visceral pleural (surface of lungs)

Pleural fluid is found between both layers

Question 16

Organ #7 - alveoli (air sacs) : where are they found?

Answer 16

Bronchioles branch off into small grape like sacs called alveoli

Question 17

What are alveoli surrounded by and why?

Answer 17

Elastic fibres for expansion and recoil

Question 18

What covers the surface of alveoli walls?

Answer 18

Pulmonary capillaries

Question 19

What are the three types of cells found in the alveoli?

Answer 19

1. Surfactant secreting cells
2. Alveolar macrophages
3. Type 1 Alveolar cells

Question 20

What are surfactant alveolar cells?

Answer 20

These cells secrete surfactant which reduces surface tension with alveoli and prevents their collapse and helps keep them open for efficient gas exchange

Question 21

What are alveolar macrophages?

Answer 21

Immune cells and ingest and remove debris, pathogens, and other particles that enter the alveoli

Question 22

What are type 1 alveolar cells?

Answer 22

Found on alveolar surface and responsible for gas exchange