Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the definition of respiration?
The interchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between air and blood in the lungs.
What is the definition of ventilation?
The inhalation and exhalation of air into and out of the lungs through the respiratory tract.
Explain the 2 components of the respiratory tract (conducting and respiratory).
The conducting portion - the tubes that lead from the mouth and nose to the lungs.
The respiratory portion - Made of the minute components in the lungs where gas exchange takes place.
Explain the function of the conducting portion of the respiratory tract?
As air is inhaled and exhaled, pressure changes occur.
To prevent their collapse and occlusion of the airway, tubes are reinforced with bone/cartilage.
It is also lined with mucosa - which comprises of one layer of columnar cells with cilia on their luminal surface.
What does secretory (goblet) cells do?
they are interspersed and secrete mucus onto the surface.
What is the reason for mucus?
It is to trap inhaled particles and the cilia beat to move the material up or backwards into the pharynx - it can then be swallowed or spat out.
What is the function of the nose in the upper respiratory tract?
It cleans (cilia), warms (vascular mucosa) and humidifies (mucus) as it is breathed in.
Paranasal air sinuses extend the nasal cavities into surrounding bones and provide a reservoir of mucus out of the direct airflow.
What does the lower respiratory tract comprise of?
Trachea, bronchi and bronchioles (small tubes without cartilage, smooth muscle regulates air flow into the respiratory portion of the lungs.
What are the lungs?
The lungs are paired air-filled sacs made of millions of tiny alveolar sacs where gaseous exchange takes place.
The right lung has 3 lobes and the left has 2 lobes.
What forms the thoracic wall?
The ribs and the sternum.
Intercoastal muscles.
Diaphragm.
Accessory Muscles.
