Respiratory system Flashcards
functions of the respiratory system
- deliver oxygen
- gaseous exchange within the lungs to allow oxygen to enter and carbon dioxide leaves the blood
- create speech
- facilitate our sense of smell
what does the respiratory system comprise of
- air passages
- lungs
- diaphragm
different air passages
- nasal cavity
- pharynx
- larynx
- trachea
- bronchus
- bronchioles
- alveoli
during inspiration what happens to the diaphragm
it contracts and flattens
what is the function of the pleura
Is a membrane that covers the lungs. It is smooth and moist to prevent friction during inspiration and expiration.
what is the function of the diaphragm?
forms the base of the chest cavity and contracts and relaxes to control breathing
what are the different lung volumes
- total lung capacity
- tidal volume
- insparatory reserve volume
- expiratory reserve volume
- residual volume
what is total lung capacity
the amount of air in the lungs following a maximum inspiration.
what is tidal volume
the amount of air that is inspired and expired during normal breathing.
what is inspiratory reserve volume
when you inhale and inhale once more with exhaling
what is expiratory reserve volume
when you exhale and exhale once more with inhaling
what is residual volume
the leftover oxygen that wasn’t exhaled
describe expiration - long answer
The diaphragm arches more into the chest cavity and intercostal muscles relax, and the ribs move down and in reducing lung volume. The air pressure in the lungs is higher than the air pressure outside the body, pushing air out of the body.
describe inspiration - long answer
air must be below atmospheric pressure for air to flow into the lungs. The diaphragm contracts and flattens and intercostal muscles contract to increase lung volumes to reduce air pressure. The rib cage moves up and out.
what is gas exchange
Air enters the alveoli when you breathe in. The capillaries receive deoxygenated blood from the artery to the lungs. Carbon dioxide diffuses from a high concentration in the alveolus to a low concentration in the blood. Oxygen diffuses from a high concentration in the alveoli into a low concentration in the bloodstream. The heart receives oxygenated blood from the capillaries.
