Respiratory System Flashcards
What tissues are included in the upper respiratory tract
Nose and nasal cavity
Paranasal sinuses
Pharynx
Larynx
What tissues are included in the lower respiratory tract?
Trachea
Bronchi and bronchioles
Lungs and alveoli
What is the purpose of the nose and nasal cavity?
Provides airway for respiration
Moistens and warms air
Filters inhaled air
Contains olfactory receptors
Involved in speech
What is the purpose of the paranasal sinuses?
They are are air containing cavities in the skull
Possible functions:
Decrease weight of skull
Increase voice resonance
Buffer against facial trauma
Humidifies and heats air
Immunological defence
What are the subdivisions of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
What is the purpose of the nasopharynx?
It is simply a air passageway
Closes while swallowing
Contains nasopharyngeal and tonsils
What is the purpose of the oropharynx?
Food and air passageway
Epiglottis closes during inspiration to prevent aspiration
Contains palatine and lingual tonsils
What is the purpose of the laryngopharynx?
Connects throat to the esophagus
Extends to branching of respiratory (laryngeal) and digestive (esophageal) pathways
What is the purpose of the larynx?
Its main function is protective;
Aids in coughing and other reflexes
Prevents food and fluid from entering the lungs
What is the purpose of bronchi and bronchioles?
Contain mucus and cilia to remove contaminants
Can constrict or dilate to modify airflow
Describe the anatomy of the lungs
The right lung contains three lobes; left has two (one missing due to accommodating heart)
Oblique and horizontal fissures separate lobes
The lungs are covered by visceral pleura
The lungs move in and out of the pleural cavity during inspiration and expiration respectively
Describe the anatomy of the alveoli
Millions present on respiratory bronchioles
Each alveoli consists of:
Type I cells (squamous epithelium)
Type II cells (cuboidal epithelium, contain lamellar bodies which release surfactant)
Alveolar macrophages (engulf dust and bacteria and remove them from the alveoli)
How does gas exchange work at the alveoli
Gas exchange occurs between alveoli and the capillaries that surround them
CO2 is diffused out of the blood into the alveoli for exhalation
O2 is diffused out of the alveoli and into the blood
What is the difference between compliance and elasticity in the lungs?
Compliance: governs inspiration and how easily lungs can stretch
Elasticity: governs expiration and how easily lungs can recoil following stretching
What is the consequence of poor compliance?
Issues with getting air into the lungs (restrictive disease)
ex. pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis
What is the consequence of poor elasticity?
Issues with getting air out of the lungs
ex. COPD and asthma
Describe blood flow in the lungs
Pulmonary vessels:
Responsible for gas exchange
Deoxygenated blood comes from the pulmonary artery and breaks into capillaries. Blood in capillaries does gas exchange and becomes oxygenated. Oxygenated blood enters the pulmonary vein towards the heart
Bronchial vessels:
Oxygenates the lung tissue itself (comes from systemic circulation)
What is the conducting system?
The conducting system includes all sites involved in conducting air into the lungs
Nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchiole, and terminal bronchioles
What is the respiratory zone (lung parenchyma)?
It consists of tissues that are involved in gas exchange.
Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli
What are the three components of respiration?
Respiration is the exchange of gases between the atmosphere, blood, and cells. It can be broken into the following components:
Pulmonary ventilation (inspiration and expiration)
External respiration (lung and pulmonary action)
Internal respiration (tissues doing gas exchange)
How does inspiration occur?
Quiet inspiration (passive process):
Air is pulled into the lungs when atmospheric pressure is greater than alveolar pressure. Pressure in the alveoli is controlled by the contraction or relaxation of the diaphragm. External intercostal muscles also aid in expanding or contracting thorax.
Forced inhalation:
Forced inhalation additionally involves accessory muscles of inspiration and it is used in times of extra need.
How does expiration occur?
Quiet expiration (passive process):
Air is pushed out of the lungs when alveolar pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure. The diaphragm relaxes and raises upwards
Forced expiration:
It uses obliques and intercostals to contract inwards to help force air out. It is activated when air movement out of the lungs is impeded
What is the normal partial pressure of O2 in the alveoli?
Normal partial pressure oxygen (paO2) gradient:
Alveolar space =100 mmHg O2 (O2 is higher pressure, so it will move into deoxygenated blood)
Deoxygenated blood = 40 mmHg O2
What is the normal partial pressure of O2 during gas exchange?
Normal partial pressure oxygen (paO2) gradient:
Alveolar space =100 mmHg O2 (O2 is higher pressure, so it will move into deoxygenated blood)
Deoxygenated blood = 40 mmHg O2
What is the normal partial pressure of CO2 during gas exchange?
Normal partial pressure carbon dioxide (paCO2) gradient:
Alveolar space = 40mmHg
Deoxygenated blood = 45 mmHg (higher CO2 pressure=movement into the alveoli)
What are ventilation and perfusion matching?
The exchange of gas and blood supply must be balanced for proper external respiration. Must be enough air in the alveoli, blood flow in the capillaries, and hemoglobin to carry the oxygen
What is the consequence of ventilation-perfusion mismatch?
This mismatch is often caused by obstruction of airways and/or capillaries. These situations lead to hypoxemia.