respiratory system Flashcards
What is respiratory system?
It takes in oxygen, remove carbon dioxide
what does the respiratory tract include?
- Nasal (or oral) cavity
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Bronchiole
- Alveoli
what are the three main function of the nasal cavity?
- Cleans the air (cilia)
- Warms the air (blood vessels)
- Moistens the air (mucus)
What is the place where the nasal cavity, esophagus (digestive system) and trachea (respiratory system) meet?
Pharynx (throat)
What does the epiglottis control?
the Epiglottis controls the dual opening to the esophagus and trachea
What is the Larynx (voice box) ?
The larynx is a voice box and is the hollow passage between the pharynx and trachea
What does the Larynx contain?
Contains the vocal folds (vocal cords), responsible for making sound; also protects the lower airway via cough reflex
What does the Trachea (windpipe) do?
Composed of cartilage (soft bone) Helps maintain rigidity to prevent the respiratory passage from collapsing
What does the Trachea branches into?
The trachea branches into 2 bronchi leading to the left and right lung
what does the bronchi branch into?
Bronchi branch into smaller bronchiole eventually ending at the alveoli
What are features that both the Bronchi and Trachea have?
They are both:
- Lined with epithelial cells
- Cells produce mucus which traps foreign particles
- Cilia (hair like projections) brush the mucus up the respiratory tract
what does cilia do?
Cilia push mucus up and out of the respiratory tract.
Where does gas exchange occur in the respiratory system?
the Alveoli
how thick are the walls in the alveoli?
Walls are only 1 cell thick making it easy for rapid diffusion
why does the Capillaries line the alveoli?
for gas exchange
what happens during gas exchange?
Oxygen goes into the blood vessel.
Carbon dioxide leaves the blood vessel into the alveolus.
why does gas exchange occur?
Both occur due to the differences in the concentration of O2 and CO2 in the alveoli vs. the blood vessels.
what is the process of breathing?
Inhalation: taking air into the lungs
Exhalation: breathing out air
what muscles are used when breathing?
Diaphragm (between lung and stomach)
Rib cage muscles (intercostal muscles)
what to our breathing when CO2 increases?
When CO2 increases, breathing rate increases, heart beats faster to let in more O2
Example of a lung disease?
Asthma: reversible airway obstruction, often caused by airway hypersensitivity
