Respiratory system

Question 1

Role of the Respiratory System?

Answer 1

• to provide a POWER SOURCE for speech consisting of exhaled airstream or air under pressure.
  (In other words, NEURAL EVENTS result in MUSCULAR & STRUCTURAL EVENTS producing AEROMECHANICAL EVENTS resulting ACOUSTIC EVENTS that can be perceived by you & your listener.

Question 2

Essential biological rule of the Respiratory System:

Answer 2

• acts like a Mechanical Air Pump
  Inhale air into the lungs, O2 is exchanged for CO2, then exhale CO2 from lungs.
• “borrows” role for secondary purpose to produce speech
  
  • so that exhaled airstream is used to help generate speech sounds via phonatory & articulatory systems.
• we appreciate this secondary purpose when biological & speaking needs differ (ex. speaking is more difficult when demands for O2 increase during exercise b/c of an increased rate of respiration)

Question 3

What passageways does the Respiratory system consist of?

Answer 3

Upper & Lower respiratory tracts

Question 4

Upper respiratory tract consists of:

Answer 4

3 cavities: Oral, Nasal, & Pharyngeal

Question 5

Function of the Upper Respiratory Tract:

Answer 5

provides a passageway for inhaled airstream & a passageway for exhaled airstream

Question 6

Lower Respiratory Tract Structures:

Answer 6

• Larynx
• Trachea
• Bronchi
• Bronchioles
• Alveolar air sacs

Question 7

L. Throat
Located: top of trachea
Biological function: protects passageway

Answer 7

Larynx

Question 8

• L. Rough Artery
• Consists of single airway extending below larynx
• Composed of horse-shoe shaped rings of cartilage (firm, flexible connective tissue)
• Flexible like a vacuum cleaner hose, allowing it to move in various directions
• Esophagus (swallowing tube) lies behind it

Answer 8

Trachea

Question 9

• L. Windpipe
• Similar in structure to trachea, but has two branches
• Right bronchus has 3 branches
• Left bronchus has 2 branches to make room for the heart
• Similar horse-shoe shaped structure

Answer 9

Bronchi

Question 10

• Consists of smaller branches extending from bronchi
• Unlike bronchi, they are complete circles of cartilage
• Terminate in clusters of enclosed structures called alveolar air sacs

Answer 10

Bronchioles

Question 11

• Consists of tiny air-filled “balloons”

- Surrounded by blood vessels to allow for gas exchange

Answer 11

Alveolar Air Sacs

Question 12

Lower Respiratory Tract Functions:

Answer 12

Alveolar air sacs provide gas exchange of O2 for CO2 for life purposes