Respiratory System

Question 1

List the main components of the upper and lower respiratory tract

Answer 1

Nasal cavity
Larynx (voice box)
Pharynx (connects mouth and nasal cavity with trachea)
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli

Question 2

Describe the lobes of the right and left lung

Answer 2

Right - three lobes (upper, middle, lower) and oblique and horizontal fissures
Left - two lobes (upper, lower) and oblique fissure

Question 3

Describe the alveoli

Answer 3

Air filled pockets where gas exchange takes place, large capillary network, thin walls, large surface area, surfactant to reduce surface tension

Question 4

Describe the parietal pleura

Answer 4

Covers the internal surface of the thoracic cavity, thicker than the visceral pleura, allows optimal expansion and contraction of the lungs

Question 5

Describe the visceral pleura

Answer 5

Covers the outer surface of the lungs and allows optimal expansion and contraction of lungs

Question 6

Describe the pleural cavity

Answer 6

Potential space between parietal and visceral pleura which contains fluid that lubricates the pleura allowing them to slide over each other and produces a surface tension

Question 7

What is the function, origin and insertion of the diaphragm

Answer 7

Contraction causes increase in volume of thoracic cavity allowing inspiration to occur, origin - xiphoid process, costal cartilage and ribs 7-12, L1-L3, insertion - central tendon of diaphragm

Question 8

What is the function, origin and insertion of the internal intercostals

Answer 8

Depress rib cage, origin - costal groove, insertion - superior surface of rib below

Question 9

What is the function, origin and insertion of the external intercostals

Answer 9

Elevate ribs, origin - lower border of rib, insertion - superior border of rib below

Question 10

What is the function, origin and insertion of the scalenes

Answer 10

Elevation of first and second rib, origin - transverse processes of C2-C8, insertion - scalene tubercle of first and second rib

Question 11

What are the functions of the respiratory system

Answer 11

Gas exchange
Regulation of blood pH
Voice production
Olfaction - smell
Protection against microorganisms

Question 12

What is compliance

Answer 12

Measure of lungs ability to stretch and expand

Question 13

What is anatomical dead space

Answer 13

Gas volume contained within the conducting airways

Question 14

What is physiological dead space

Answer 14

Anatomical and alveolar dead space

Question 15

What is total lung capacity

Answer 15

Volume of air in lungs upon maximum effort of inspiration

Question 16

What is tidal volume

Answer 16

Amount of air inhaled or exhaled in one respiratory cycle

Question 17

What is functional residual capacity

Answer 17

Amount of air remaining in lungs at the end of normal exhalation
RV + ERV

Question 18

What is vital capacity

Answer 18

Total amount of air exhaled after maximal inhalation

Question 19

What is dyspnoea

Answer 19

Breathlessness

Question 20

What is haemoptysis

Answer 20

Coughing up blood

Question 21

What is pulmonary oedema

Answer 21

Abnormal build up of fluid in lungs

Question 22

What is perfusion

Answer 22

The flow of blood to alveolar capillaries

Question 23

What are the defence mechanisms of the respiratory system

Answer 23

Mucus to trap pathogens
Cilia move mucus away from lungs
Alveolar macrophages
Reflexes - coughing, sneezing

Question 24

What is bronchitis (acute and chronic)

Answer 24

Acute - inflammation of bronchial tree, symptoms include a cough that may produce sputum, nasal or sinus infections, wheezing, shortness of breath
Chronic - chronic cough and sputum production for at least 3 months a year for 2 consecutive years, under COPD, inflammation and excessive mucus build up in bronchi

Question 25

What is emphysema

Answer 25

Progressive lung disease, under COPD, abnormal permanent enlargement of air spaces in alveoli and destruction of their walls causing reduced gas exchange

Question 26

What is COPD

Answer 26

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder
Characterised by progressive air flow limitation and tissue destruction, symptoms include cough, dyspnea and sputum production

Question 27

What is asthma

Answer 27

Reversible inflammation of airways and reversible airway obstruction due to hyperactivity. Often from an environmental triggers e.g excersise, symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness

Question 28

What is bronchiectasis

Answer 28

Persistent and lifelong widening of bronchial airways and reduced function of mucus and cilia due to repeated infection, characterised by persistent cough with excess mucus

Question 29

What is cystic fibrosis

Answer 29

Inherited disease of mucus and sweat glands affecting lungs, liver, pancreas and intestines. A gene causes production of thick sticky mucus which blocks the airways in lungs resulting in frequent infection

Question 30

What is pneumothorax

Answer 30

Air in the pleural cavity causing lung to collapse, symptoms - sudden chest pain, dyspnoea, tachycardia, tachypnoea

Question 31

What is pleural effusion

Answer 31

Unusual amount of fluid in pleural cavity, symptoms - breathlessness, chest pain, cough, weakness

Question 32

What is interstitial lung disease

Answer 32

Umbrella term for diseases that cause scarring of lungs causing stiffness making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms - shortness of breath, dry cough, tiredness, weight loss

Question 33

What is pneumonia

Answer 33

Infection within lung, symptoms - fever, cough, sputum production

Question 34

What is pleuritis

Answer 34

Pleura become inflamed

Question 35

What is emphysema thorasis

Answer 35

Infection of plural space