Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the functions of the Respiratory System (4)
- Gas exchange O2 and CO2
Oxygen is needed for cell respiration
Carbon Dioxide is a waste product of cell respiration.
Inhaling creates O2 and we exhale CO2 - Warming, cooling and moistening of the air going into our lungs
e.g cold air may tighten the muscles causing them to constrict also can challenge internal temperature. - Removal of inhales particles (immunity)
Removal of Larger particles are in the nose
Smaller particles are removed by using the mucociliary escalator
Alveola macrophages in the alveoli - Voice production and Olfaction (smell)
Where do we find our immune system in the respiratory tract?
In the respiratory tract the tonsils are our immune tissues, tonsils are clusters of white blood cells. We also have white blood cells in the alveoli
Define the mucociliary escalator
Goblet cells and cilia in the respiratory tract that help remove particles
What are macrophages
White blood cells
What are Alveoli
Air sacs in the lungs
Describe the membrane lining the respiratory tract?
It is a ciliated epithelial membrane that contains mucous secreting goblet cells
What does the RT Mucous membrane do/
Mucus traps inhaled particles and acts as a surfactant it also has antimicrobial properties.
Cilia move the particle-laden mucus towards the Oesophagus where it is either coughed up or swallowed, protecting the lungs from pathogens. This mechanism is called the Mucociliary escalator
What mechanism is the first line of defence in the body?
Mucociliary escalator
What is the most common way that the mucociliary escalator is damaged?
Smoking and pollutants
What is cell respiration
How the we make ATP
Explain external respiration
The exchange of gases between the blood and the lungs (air) Pulmonary arteries carry blood around the alveoli.
What is air inhaled and exhaled called?
Ventilation
What is a surfactant
Lowers the surface area of a liquid, allowing easier spreading
What is celllular respiration
It is a metabolic process whereby energy (atp) is obtained by metabolising carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
What is internal respiration
Exchange of gases between blood and cells.
What do we need to produce aerobic respiration
Glucose, amino acids and fatty acids that mix with Oxygen creating lots of ATP
What do we need to produce anaerobic respiration
We use glucose we split the glucose up and extract as much ATP as possible.
Define the nasal cavity
Nasal cavity is the first contact organ in the respiratory system and conditions air.
What is the structure of the nasal cavity
It is an irregular cavity, divided by a septum bordered posteriorly by skull bones. Internally is has 3 nasal concha (turbinites) - these are shelves that increase surface area and trap water during exhalation
What are the functions of the nasal cavity
Filter air - Hairs and cilia trap particles, protect the epithelium cilia beat towards the mough
Nasal concha (turbinites) spin air within the nasal cavity which filters air and encourages particles to become trapped in the mucous.
Warming air - strong vascularity of mucosa
Humidification - air travels over the moist mucosa
Sneezing reflex - in case of mucosal irritation
Olfactory function - Olfactory receptors
Define the paranasal sinuses
They are air filled cavities with certain facial and cranial bones.
What are the paranasal sinuses lined with
They are lined with mucous membrane that is continuous with the mucosa lining. Secretions drain into the nasal cavity
What is the name of the 4 sinuses
Frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid and maxillary
What 4 functions do the sinuses perform/
Resonance in speech
Lightening of cranial mass
Nasolacrimal ducts drain tears from the eyes (naso lac rimal
Moistening/humidifying the air
Describe the pharynx
Is a straight muscular tube that connects the nose and the throat. It is 13cm long and sits anterior to the cervical spine terminating at the larynx
Name the 3 anatomical parts of the Pharynx
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
What does the Pharynx contain
Nasopharynx is connected by tubes to the middle ear. These tubes are called Eustachion tubes and allow equalisation of pressure.
They also contain clusters of immune tissue called the adenoids also known as the nasopharyngeal tonsils.
What are the 7 functions of the Pharynx
Passageway for food and air
Warming and humidifying
Taste (we use tongue and pharynx)
Hearing
Equalisation of pressure
Immune protection tonsils (nasopharyngeal tonsils)
Speech (resonance)
What thickens and strengthens the vocal cords
Testosterone
Define the Larynx
The Larynx is the voice box (adams apple) it connects the laryngopharynx with the trachea
What does the larynx consist of
Consists of 9 pieces of cartilage (including thyroid cartilage, epiglottis and vocal cords
What are the vocal cords composed of
Mucous membrane foldings that are stretched horizontially
Laryngeal muscles attach to the vocal cords and when contracted stretch them. How does our voice differ from relaxed or contracted
Relaxed - loose cords - low tone
Contracted - tight cords - High tone
What are the functions of the Larynx
Production of sound (vocal cords) and speech (cheeks, lips and tongue)
Protection - the epiglottis closes of the trachea during swallowing and prevents food entering the lungs
Air passageway
Warming and humidifying
Describe the Trachea
The Trachea (wind pipe) is roughly 12cm long and made up of incomplete C shaped rings of hyaline cartilage.
The incomplete rings of hyaline cartilage are connected by smooth muscle called the trachealis
Why do we have incomplete C shaped rings in our Trachea
To ensure we keep the trachea open and never in a situation that we cant get oxygen into our lungs or remove carbon dioxide
What is the smooth muscle called in the trachea
Trachealis
What is the sympathetic response and what does it cause in the trachea
Fight or flight response, we need more oxygen so we have tracheal dilation
What is the parasympathetic response and what does it cause in the trachea
rest and digest - we need less oxygen so we have tracheal constriction