Respiratory System Flashcards
Why is the left lung smaller than the right lung ?
Because space is needed for the heart
What are the 2 fundamental parts of the respiratory system ?
- conducting part
- respiratory part
What is the function of the conducting part of the respiratory system ?
- no gas exchange
- air moves through this part
What is the function of the respiratory part of the respiratory system ?
- for gas exchange
Describe the features of the conducting part of the respiratory system
- it is lined with epithelium and an underlying connective tissue layer known as the lamina propria
- it is pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells and this is known as the mucociliary escalator
- the lamina propria is highly vascular and a warm lining and so it warms and humidifies inhaled air
What is the role of the air sinuses in the nasal cavity ?
- give resonance to the voice
- make the skull lighter
Which types of cells make up the olfactory organ ?
- supporting cells
- receptor cells
- basal cells
Describe the structure of the epiglottis
- found above the tongue
- flap which covers the larynx
- made of elastic cartilage
Describe the function of the epiglottis
- separates the alimentary and respiratory systems
- controls the opening of the airway
- controls the vocal cords
What is dichotomous branching ?
The rule that says the airways always branch in twos
What is the bronchial tree ?
Trachea > bronchi (extrapulmonary and intrapulmonary) > bronchioles
Why is it important that the pulmonary artery enters the lung at the same place as the airway ?
It allows deoxygenated blood and air to go to the same place and run alongside each other
Where is the oesophagus in relation to the trachea ?
It sits immediately behind the trachea
What is trachealis ?
It is smooth muscle which connects the C rings of hyaline cartilage
Which structures are present after the bronchi in the lungs ?
1) respiratory bronchioles (contain 1 to 2 alveoli)
2) alveolar duct
3) alveoli
Describe the structure of the alveolar duct
- it is blind ended
- the ending of the alveolar duct is known as the atrium
What is the blood air barrier ?
A barrier separating the alveolar air from the blood
Consists of -
- type 1 cells
- fused basal lamina
- capillary endothelium
Describe the structure of the alveolar wall
It is lined with :
- type I cells (simple squamous epithelium)
- type II cells (simple cuboidal epithelium)
- alveolar macrophages (dust cells)
- septal cells (fibroblasts)
What is the function of type II cells ?
- make surfactant
What is the function of the septal cells ?
- make thin extracellular fluid containing collagen and elastic fibres
what type of cartilage is present in the walls of the trachea and what is the need for cartilage here ?
hyaline cartilage
so the trachea doesn’t collapse when pressure drops during air movement
Why don’t the cartilage rings go all the way around the trachea, leaving a gap at the back ?
because the trachea is pressed against the oesophagus which lies posteriorly and this allows for oesophageal movements
why are there glands in the tracheal wall ?
they secrete mucus because the goblet cells cannot produce enough on their own
what is the function of the epithelial cells of the trachea ?
they are covered in cilia which drives movements of the mucociliary escalator
What is the function of the basal cells of the epithelium and why are they necessary ?
basal cells replace the dead surface columnar epithelium because they have a short lifespan due to the harsh environment between the body tissue and air
what type of tissue is found in the walls of the bronchus ?
hyaline cartilage
Which anatomical structures are common to the digestive and respiratory systems?
- oral cavity
- oropharynx
- laryngeopharynx
- larynx
classify the epithelium that lines the bronchioles
simple columnar epithelium
What is the function of the simple columnar epithelium that lines the bronchioles ?
produces surfactant - prevents wet epithelial surfaces from sticking together by reducing surface tension
classify the epithelium that lines the trachea and bronchi
pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
