Respiratory System

Question 1

describe the respiratory system and its function

Answer 1

• enables breathing
• enables gas exchange: oxygen inhaled, CO2 exhaled
• consists of lungs and air passages
• located within the chest cavity, protected by ribs
• diaphragm separates lungs from the abdominal cavity

Question 2

nose

Answer 2

• moistens and warms inhaled air

- small hairs filter out impurities

Question 3

paranasal sinuses

Answer 3

• air-filled extensions of the nasal cavity

- 4 sets located in nose and forehead

Question 4

pharynx, larynx, trachea

Answer 4

• pharynx = throat
• larynx = voice box
• trachea = windpipe

The trachea consists of 16 – 20 rings of cartilage stacked on top of each other. They form a semi-rigid support that keeps the airway open.

Question 5

bronchial tract

Answer 5

-division of the trachea that enters each lung

Question 6

lung

Answer 6

• located in the thoracic cavity (chest) and rests on the diaphragm
• each lung is a separate organ surrounded by the pleura

Question 7

bronchi

Answer 7

smaller secondary tracts that branch off the bronchial tract

Question 8

bronchioles

Answer 8

tiny branch-like structures that branch off the bronchi

Question 9

alveoli

Answer 9

• air sacs in the lungs with very thin walls containing lots of elastic tissue
• surrounded by a network of capillaries that bring deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. Oxygen is transferred from the alveoli to the capillaries, which then take the oxygenated blood to the heart, to be pumped to all the cells of the body.

Question 10

diaphragm

Answer 10

• main muscle of inhalation

- contraction: muscle descends, enlarges thoracic cavity, inhalation occurs

Question 11

what muscles other than the diaphragm assist in breathing?

Answer 11

intercostal, scalene, abdominal, pectoralis major, sternocleidomastoid

Question 12

define breathing

Answer 12

a process of the autonomic nervous system, which can be controlled or over-ridden by conscious effort

Question 13

dyspnea

Answer 13

breathlessness/shortness of breath, difficulty breathing

Question 14

common cold

Answer 14

viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.

symptoms: excessive production of nasal secretions, headache, fatigue

Question 15

influenza

Answer 15

a viral infection that can affect the upper and lower respiratory tracts. the infection is spread by large-droplet spray (sneezing, coughing, etc.) and hands

symptoms: abrupt onset of fever and chills, muscle ache, fatigue, nasal discharge, non-productive cough, sore throat, headache

Question 16

pneumonia

Answer 16

inflammation of the bronchioles or alveoli of the lungs. can be caused by bacterial or viral infection, or gastric secretions that are breathed into the lungs

*can be fatal to the elderly or immunocompromised

Question 17

tuberculosis

Answer 17

an infectious disease spread by inhaling the bacteria in the air

early stages: no symptoms
later stages: low-grade fever, shortness of breath, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and a cough that becomes productive with purulent and sometimes blood-tinged sputum

Question 18

asthma

Answer 18

a common chronic obstructive airway disease during which the airways narrow because of spasming bronchial tubes.

symptoms: wheezing, coughing, difficulty expelling air

Question 19

bronchitis

Answer 19

airway obstruction caused by inflammation of the major and small airways. there is edema (swelling) and excessive production of mucous into the bronchial passages

symptoms: a history of chronic productive cough for more than 3 months. seen mostly in smokers and those with recurring infections

Question 20

emphysema

Answer 20

loss of elasticity of the lungs and destruction of the alveolar walls and capillary beds. caused by years of smoking, inhaling pollutants, or hereditary factors

symptoms: extreme shortness of breath and use of accessory muscles to breath, resulting in a “barrel chest”. weight loss due to difficulty eating