Respiratory system

Question 1

What things/organs make up the respiratory system?

Answer 1

Nose
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi and bronchioles
Lungs and pleura
Alveoli
Muscles (Intercostal muscles/ribs and diaphragm)

Question 2

What is the nose, structures and functions

Answer 2

2 equal passages separated by the septum
Lined with ciliated columnar epithelium
Warms, moistens and filters air
The organ of smell

Question 3

What is the pharynx?

Answer 3

Lies behind the mouth and nose (C1 – C6)

Lined with mucous membrane

Outer layer of muscle to control swallowing

Involved in speech, taste, hearing and warming and humidifying air

Question 4

What is Larynx?

Answer 4

Voice box
Composed of 5 cartilages
Contains the vocal cords
C3 – C6
Prevents food entering trachea during swallowing (with the epiglottis)

Question 5

The trachea?

Answer 5

Continuation of the larynx

Consists of 16-20 incomplete rings of cartilage (c-shaped) joined by connective tissue and involuntary muscle posteriorly

Bifurcates at the carina into right and left main bronchi – at vertebral level T5

Functions include the cough reflex, support, mucous escalator and warming, humidifying and filtering air

Question 6

Structures associated with Larynx?

Answer 6

Superiorly: Hyoid bone 
Inferiorly: Trachea (continuous)
Anteriorly: Neck muscles
Posteriorly: Oesophagus
Laterally : Lobes of thyroid

Question 7

What is epiglottis?

Answer 7

Epiglottis lowers during deglutition (swallowing), to stop food going down the trachea.

Question 8

What is bronchi

Answer 8

Right and left main bronchi
Right is shorter and wider
Most likely to become obstructed / infected
Each subdivides to progressively smaller tubes
Bronchioles
End in alveoli

Question 9

Pleura?

Answer 9

2 pleural membranes:

Parietal – attached to wall of thorax

Visceral – attached to lung

Space between is the pleural cavity filled with serous pleural fluid

Question 10

Functions of the Respiratory System.

Answer 10

External Respiration- provides O2 and eliminates CO2 to / from blood

Internal Respiration – the gaseous exchange from blood to the bodies cells to support metabolism.

Forms speech sounds (larynx)

Regulates blood pH (acidity / alkalinity)

Defends against microbes

Question 11

What is Pulmonary ‘Surfactant’?

Answer 11

The walls of the alveoli contain Type II alveolar cells, which secrete a liquid called Pulmonary Surfactant (phospholipoprotein)

This helps to decrease surface tension within the alveoli

Because it has hydrophobic and hydrostatic properties in different regions.

This Increases pulmonary compliance (makes the lung stretchier and thus more efficient at drawing in and expelling air)

And therefore reduces the tendency for the alveoli to collapse on recoil and the walls ‘stick’ together.

Question 12

Symptoms of high blood pH – Alkalosis

Answer 12

Confusion (can progress to stupor or coma)
Lightheadedness. Nausea, vomiting.
Muscle twitching. Hand tremor. Numbness or tingling in the face, hands, or feet. Prolonged muscle spasms (tetany)

Question 13

Symptoms of low blood pH – Acidosis

Answer 13

rapid and shallow breathing. increased heart rate.
confusion. headache.
fatigue. sleepiness.
lack of appetite.
Jaundice.

Question 14

Defend against microbes

Answer 14

Mucus layer – lines the lumen and traps microbes and pathogens
Cilia – tiny muscular hair-like projections waft the mucus upwards and into the pharynx where it is swallowed. Ciliated epithelial lining.

Question 15

Alvelio features

Answer 15

moist
have a large surface area
good blood supply
thin walls
good supply of air

Question 16

The pharynx sits between C1 and C4

Select one:
True
False

Answer 16

False

Question 17

The nose is lined with ciliated columnar epithelium

Select one:
True
False

Answer 17

True

Question 18

One of the functions of the pharynx is to warm and humidify air

Select one:
True
False

Answer 18

True

Question 19

The trachea divides into 2 at which vertebral level?

Answer 19

Thoracic vertebra 4

Question 20

The larynx is composed of 4 cartilages

Select one:
True
False

Answer 20

False 5 cartilages

Question 21

Food is prevented from going down the trachea by the epiglottis

Select one:
True
False

Answer 21

True

Question 22

The larynx sits inferiorly to the hyoid bone

Select one:
True
False

Answer 22

True

Question 23

The left bronchus is shorter than the right one

Select one:
True
False

Answer 23

False, The right main bronchus is wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left main bronchus

Question 24

The intercostal muscles are found between the ribs

Select one:
True
False

Answer 24

True

Question 25

Fibrotic changes in the lungs have no effect on their compliance

Select one:
True
False

Answer 25

False