Respiratory System

Question 1

What is the Respiratory system made up of?

Answer 1

· the trachea

· two bronchi (singular = bronchus)

· two lungs

· many alveolar sacs

· many alveoli (singular = alveolus)

Question 2

What is respiration?

Answer 2

Respiration is a three-step process acquiring and utilising oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.

· The process by which we draw oxygen (O2) into our lungs from the external environment and transfer it into the blood stream is known as inspiration.

· The process by which cells draw oxygen from the blood stream and utilise it, resulting in the by-product CO2 is known as cellular respiration.

· The process by which we return the waste product of aerobic cellular respiration, carbon dioxide (CO2) to the bloodstream, into the lungs and the expel it back into the atmosphere is known as expiration.

The respiratory system is entirely dependent on the cardiovascular system. If the heart is not beating, blood is not being pumped to the body and respiratory gases are not being exchanged.

Question 3

What is Pulmonary Circulation?

Answer 3

Blood containing deoxygenated blood (with CO2) is transported from the body to the heart via the venous system. On reaching the heart it travels through the right atria and ventricle, before being pumped into the pulmonary artery. This is the only artery in the body that carries deoxygenated blood. The pulmonary artery branches into the two lungs and forms dense beds of capillaries around the alveoli. In these beds the CO2 is displaced from haemoglobin by the O2 in the lungs and the blood is oxygenated. This blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary vein (the only vein in the body to carry oxygenated blood), travels through the left atria and ventricle before being pumped into the aorta to be distributed to the cells via the arterial system.

Question 4

Gas Exchange

Answer 4

Gas exchange between the pulmonary capillary beds and the alveoli rely on diffusion and perfusion. Diffusion being the movement of the gases, and perfusion being the blood flow through the capillary beds. If there is no perfusion, there is no blood circulating to collect the new oxygen and release the waste CO2. This is why losing your heart beat compromises your respiration. The pulmonary and systemic circulation differ in several ways.

Question 5

Diffusion

Answer 5

This works on a simple principal akin to osmosis. The gases simply move from an area of high concentration to one of lower concentration. So when we breathe in, we fill our lungs and the alveoli with oxygen. The blood in the capillary beds is very low in oxygen and so the oxygen migrates to the capillary beds trying to balance the concentration so it is equal. The CO2 which is in high concentration in the capillary blood moves into the lungs which are low in CO2.

The concentration of gases in an area is known as their partial pressure. The partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in alveoli is about 100mm Hg, while the PO2 in the pulmonary capillary beds is only about 40mm Hg.

The process of diffusion is aided by the fact that the oxygen binding protein in the blood (haemoglobin) binds more strongly to oxygen than it does to CO2, so as the oxygen enters the capillary blood the oxygen molecules effectively kick the CO2 off the haemoglobin and steal its binding site.

Question 6

Perfusion

Answer 6

In the respiratory system, perfusion is the movement of blood (blood flow) through the pulmonary capillaries. Gas exchange occurs between blood in the pulmonary capillaries and the alveoli. Diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide is determined by concentration differences of these molecules between the pulmonary capillaries and alveoli. Blood flow (perfusion) of the pulmonary arteries is an important process for maintaining these concentration differences and promoting passive diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Perfusion is influenced by the heart rate so, if the heart is beating slowly, perfusion is reduced. Perfusion is also affected by ventricular stroke volume. If the heart is beating at a normal or fast rate, but the volume of blood the right ventricle is pumping into the pulmonary artery is low, then perfusion of the pulmonary arteries will be compromised.

Note: In the systemic system, if the heart is beating at a normal or fast rate, but the volume of blood the left ventricle is pumping into the aorta is low, then perfusion of the body tissues will be compromised.

Question 7

Arterial Pressure

Answer 7

Normal systemic arterial pressure is generally in the region of 120/80. However in the pulmonary circulation it is more like 15/8. This is because the blood does not have to travel such a distance, and high pressures would burst the fine walls of the capillary beds. By the time the systemic blood flow reaches capillary beds it has travelled much further and so the pressure is reduced.

Question 8

Diagnostic Procedures for the Lungs and Airways

Answer 8

· Pulmonary function testing:

o Lung Volume and Flow rate measures

o Flow volume testing

o Muscle strength assessment

o Diffusing capacity measurement

· Sleep studies

· Arterial Blood Gas analysis (tells you how well oxygenated the blood is)

· Chest imaging

Question 9

Adenoid/o

Answer 9

Adenoids - sit at the back of the throat and work similar to tonsills in that they help keep the body healthy by trapping harmful bacteria.
- adenoiditis - inflammed anenoids

Question 10

Rhin/o

Answer 10

Nose
Rhinitis - A reaction to something that causes the individual to have a runny nose, sneezing and itching. Most types of Rhinitis are caused by inflammation with symptoms in the ear, nose and throat.

Question 11

Haemoptysis

Answer 11

This is where blood is coughed up from the lungs or the bronchial tubes and can range from little spots of blood to large amounts of blood.

Question 12

Cystic Fibrosis

Answer 12

A genetic disease where the individual has inherited a copy of the CF gene from each of their parents. It causes damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs. It is where the airways are clogged with thick, sticky mucus making it hard to breath.

Question 13

laryng/o

Answer 13

Larynx, voice box
Laryngoscopy - An examination using a small tool that is thin with a light and camera on it. This allow the doctor to see the larynx and vocal cords.

Question 14

alveol/o

Answer 14

Alveolus - air sack
Alveolar - relating to an alveolus or the alveoli of the lung or lungs.
Alveoli are tiny air sacs in your lungs that take up the oxygen you breathe in and keep your body going.

Question 15

antrhrac/o

Answer 15

Black - coal
Anthracosis -of the lungs is black discoloration of bronchial mucosa that can occlude bronchial lumen and is associated with bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF). This disease usually presents with a chronic course of dyspnea (shortness of breath) and or cough in an elderly non-smoker woman or man.

Question 16

bronch/i
bronch/o

Answer 16

Bronchus/bronchi - An extension of the trachea and serve as the central passageway into the lungs.

Question 17

bronchiol/o

Answer 17

Bronchiole - The bronchioles or bronchioli are the smaller branches of the bronchial airways in the lower respiratory tract.

Question 18

capn/o

Answer 18

Carbon Dioxide
Hypocapnia - also known as hypocarbia, is a state of reduced carbon dioxide in the blood

Question 19

coni/o

Answer 19

Dust
Pneumoconiosis - a group of lung diseases caused by the lung’s reaction inhaling certain dusts. The primary pneumoconioses are: Abestosis – caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.

Question 20

cost/o

Answer 20

Rib
Costochondritis - an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum)

Question 21

cyan/o

Answer 21

Blue
Cyanosis - Cyanosis refers to a bluish-purple hue to the skin. It is most easily seen where the skin is thin, such as the lips, mouth, earlobes and fingernails. Cyanosis indicates there may be decreased oxygen attached to red blood cells in the bloodstream.

Question 22

epiglott/o

Answer 22

Epiglottis -The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped flap in the throat that prevents food and water from entering the trachea and the lungs. It stays open during breathing, allowing air into the larynx.
Epiglottitis - inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis.

Question 23

lob/o

Answer 23

Lobe
Lobar pneumonia - Lobar pneumonia affects one or more sections (lobes) of the lungs.

Question 24

mediastin/o

Answer 24

Mediastinum -a space in your chest that holds your heart and other important structures. It’s the middle compartment within your thoracic cavity, nestled between your lungs.
Medastinitis -inflammation of the mediastinum (the chest cavity, which contains the heart, the thymus gland, some lymph nodes, and parts of the esophagus, aorta, thyroid, and parathyroid glands). Mediastinitis usually results from a tear in the esophagus or chest surgery.

Question 25

nas/o

Answer 25

Nose
Nasal

Question 26

or/o

Answer 26

Mouth
Oropharyngeal - The oropharynx is the middle part of the pharynx (throat), behind the mouth. Oropharyngeal Cancer a cancer type that affects any part of the pharynx or oropharynx.

Question 27

orth/o

Answer 27

Straight, upright.
Orthopnoea - Orthopnea or orthopnoea is shortness of breath (dyspnea) that occurs when lying flat, causing the person to have to sleep propped up in bed or sitting in a chair.

Question 28

ox/i
ox/o

Answer 28

Oxygen
Oximetry - pulse oximetry is a test used to measure the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) of the blood.
Hypoxaemia - Hypoxemia is low levels of oxygen in your blood.

Question 29

palat/o

Answer 29

Palate - forms the roof of the mouth and separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity.
Palatoplasty - surgical procedure used to correct or reconstruct the PALATE in a person with a CLEFT PALATE.

Question 30

pector/o

Answer 30

Chest
Pectoralgia - Chest pain

Question 31

Pharyng/o

Answer 31

Pharynx, Throat.
Pharyngitis - Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx resulting in a sore throat.

Question 32

phon/o

Answer 32

Voice
Aphonia - Loss of voice

Question 33

phren/o

Answer 33

Diaphragm, Mind
Diaphragm - a muscle that helps you inhale and exhale (breathe in and out). This thin, dome-shaped muscle sits below your lungs and heart. It’s attached to your sternum (a bone in the middle of your chest), the bottom of your rib cage and your spine.
Phrenoplegia - Paralysis of the diaphragm.

Question 34

pleur/o

Answer 34

Pleura - a vital part of the respiratory tract. Its role is to cushion the lung and reduce any friction that may develop between the lung, rib cage, and chest cavity.
Pleuritic - a condition in which the pleura — two large, thin layers of tissue that separate your lungs from your chest wall — becomes inflamed. Also called Pleurisy

Question 35

pneum/o
pneumat/o
pneumon/o

Answer 35

Lungs, Respiration, Air, Gas.
Pneumothorax - a collection of air outside the lung but within the pleural cavity.
Pneumatocele- air-filled cavitary lesions usually seen in the lung after infection, trauma, or as a part of more extensive cystic disease of the lung.

Question 36

pulm/o
pulmon/o

Answer 36

Lungs
CT Pulmonary Angiogram - CTPA is a CT scan that looks for blood clots in the lungs (also known as pulmonary embolism or PE).

Question 37

rhin/o

Answer 37

Nose
Rhinorrhoea or Rhinorrhea - runny nose is the free discharge of a thin mucus fluid from the nose; it is a common condition.

Question 38

sept/o

Answer 38

Septum - A wall of cartilage divides the nose into 2 separate chambers.
Septoplasty - surgical correction of defects and deformities of the nasal septum

Question 39

sinus/o

Answer 39

Sinus, Cavity - sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull. They are located behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes.
Sinusitis - inusitis is an inflammation of the tissues in your sinuses

Question 40

spir/o

Answer 40

Breathe
Spirograph - instrument for recording the movements of breathing.

Question 41

steth/o

Answer 41

Chest
Stethoscope

Question 42

tel/o

Answer 42

Distant, End, Far, Complete
Atelectasis - collapse of a lung or part of a lung, also known as a lobe.

Question 43

thorac/o

Answer 43

Thorax, Chest
Thoracoplasty - procedure that targets the resolution of a cavity by collapsing the chest wall through rib resection.

Question 44

tonsill/o
the word tonsil only has one L but the combining form has 2

Answer 44

Tonsills
Tonsillitis

Question 45

trache/o

Answer 45

Trachea - long, U-shaped tube that connects your larynx (voice box) to your lungs.
Tracheostomy- procedure to help air and oxygen reach the lungs by creating an opening into the trachea (windpipe) from outside the neck.

Question 46

ubul/0

Answer 46

Uvula - Your uvula is the little hanging ball in the back of your throat.
Uvulectomy - surgical excision of the uvula