Respiratory System Flashcards
include the
nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and their
smaller branches, and the lungs
respiratory system
terminal air sacs
alveoli
Because gas exchange with the blood happens
only in the
alveoli
The passageways
from the nose to the larynx are called
upper respiratory tract
The passageways
from the trachea to the
alveoli are called
lower respiratory tract
These conducting passageways also purify, humidify, and
warm incoming air
upper and lower respiratory tract
is the only externally visible part of the respiratory system
nose
During breathing, air enters the nose by passing through the
nostrils, or nares.
The interior of the nose consists of the
nasal cavity
nasal cavity is divided by a midline called
nasal septum
for the sense of smell
olfactory receptors
The olfactory
receptors for the sense of smell are located in the
mucosa
in the mucosa in the slitlike superior part of the nasal cavity, just beneath the ethmoid bone this receptors located
olfactory receptors
The rest of the mucosa lining the nasal cavity, rests on a rich network of thin-walled veins that warms the air as it
flows past
respiratory mucosa
produced by this mucosa’s glands moistens the air and traps incoming bacteria and other foreign debris, and
lysozyme enzymes in the mucus destroy bacteria
chemically
sticky mucus
create a gentle current that moves the sheet of
contaminated mucus posteriorly toward the throat
(pharynx)
ciliated cells of the nasal mucosa
where it is swallowed and digested by
stomach juices
pharynx
these cilia become
sluggish, allowing mucus to accumulate in the
nasal cavity and to dribble outward through the
nostrils when the external temperature is
extremely cold
cilia become sluggish, mucus accumulate in the nasal cavity and dribble outward through the nostrils this explains
“runny” nose on a crisp
lateral walls of the nasal cavity are
uneven
three mucosa-covered projections, or lobes, greatly increase the surface area of the mucosa exposed to the air
conchae
increase the air turbulence in the nasal cavity
conchae
As the air swirls through the twists and turns, inhaled particles are deflected onto the
mucus-coated surfaces–where they are trapped
and prevented from reaching the lungs
nasal cavity is separated from the oral cavity below by a partition
palate
Anteriorly, where the palate is supported by bone,
is the
hard palate
the palate is unsupported posterior partis the
soft palate
results in breathing difficulty as well as problems with oral cavity functions, such as nursing and speaking
cleft palate
The nasal cavity is surrounded by a ring of
paranasal sinuses
paranasal sinuses is located in the
frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, and maxillary bones.
Cold viruses and various allergens can cause inflammation of the nasal mucosa
rhinitis
lighten the skull and act as resonance chambers for speech
sinuses
which drain tears from the eyes, also empty into the nasal cavities
nasolacrimal duct
or sinus inflammation, is difficult to treat and can cause marked changes in voice quality
Sinusitis
localized over the inflamed area, cavity are blocked with mucus or infectious matter, the air in the sinus cavities is absorbed
sinus headache
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa that can cause cold viruses and various allergens
rhinitis
is a muscular passageway, that vaguely resembles a short length of red garden hose
pharynx
or sinus inflammation, is difficult to treat and can
cause marked changes in voice quality
Sinusitis
Commonly called the throat, common passageway for food and air
pharynx
pharynx is continuous with the nasal cavity anteriorly via the
posterior nasal aperture.
The pharynx has three regions
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- laryngopharynx
Air enters the superior portion in this pharynx region
nasopharynx
air enters from the nasal cavity and then descends through this pharynx region
oropharynx and laryngopharynx
air enter this pharynx region to enter the larynx below
laryngopharynx
Food enters the mouth, then travels along with air through the
oropharynx and laryngopharynx
food is directed into the
esophagus
esophagus is posteriorly by a flap called the
epiglottis
which drain the middle ears, open into the nasopharynx
pharyngotympanic tubes
Clusters of lymphatic tissue are also found in the pharynx called
tonsils
The single pharyngeal tonsil, often called
adenoid
is located high in the nasopharynx
pharyngeal tonsil/adenoid
are in the oropharynx at the end of the soft palate
two palatine tonsils
which lie at the base of the tongue
lingual tonsils
also play a role in protecting the body from infection
tonsils
formed by eight rigid hyaline cartilages and a spoon-shaped flap of elastic cartilage
larynx
The largest of the hyaline cartilages is the shield-shaped
thyroid cartilage
thyroid cartilage protrudes anteriorly and is commonly called the
Adam’s apple
the nasopharynx and forces the person to breathe
through the mouth if pharyngeal tonsil becomes
inflamed and swollen
mouth breathing, air is not
properly moistened, warmed, or filtered before
reaching the lungs causes
tonsillitis
voice box, routes air and
food into the proper channels and plays a role in speech
larynx
Located inferior to the pharynx
larynx
a spoon-shaped flap of elastic cartilage
epiglottis
formed by eight rigid hyaline cartilages and a spoon-shaped flap of elastic cartilage
larynx
The largest of the hyaline cartilages is the shield-shaped
thyroid cartilage
thyroid cartilage which protrudes anteriorly and is commonly called
Adam’s apple
protects the superior opening of the larynx
thyroid cartilage
during regular breathing, it allows the passage of air into the lower respiratory passages
epiglottis
When we swallow food or
fluids, the situation changes dramatically; the larynx is pulled upward, and the epiglottis tips, forming a lid over the larynx’s opening
TRUE
anything other than air enters the larynx, it is triggered to prevent
the substance from continuing into the lungs
cough reflex
Part of the mucous membrane of the larynx forms a pair of folds, vibrate with expelled air called
vocal folds, or true vocal cords
vibrate allows us to speak
ability of the vocal folds
vocal folds and the slitlike passage way between them are called
glottis
from the larynx travels down to the level of the fifth thoracic vertebra, which is approximately midchest, Air entering the
trachea
The trachea is fairly rigid because its walls are reinforced with C-shaped rings of
hyaline cartilage
abut or touch the esophagus and d allow it to expand anteriorly when we swallow a large piece of food
The open parts of the rings
support the trachea walls and keep it patent, or open, in spite of the pressure changes that occur during breathing.
solid portions oof hyaline cartilage
lies next to the esophagus and completes the wall of the trachea posteriorly.
trachealis muscle
is the only way air can enter the lungs
trachea
a procedure in which the air in a per son’s own lungs is used to “pop out,” or expel, an
obstructing piece of food, has saved many people
from becoming victims of choking
Heimlich maneuver
(surgical opening of the trachea) is done to provide an alternative route for air to reach the lungs
emergency tracheostomy
trachea is surrounded by this that produce mucus
goblet cell
is lined with a ciliated mucosa
trachea
without this coughing is the only means of preventing mucus from accumulating in the lungs
cilia
are formed by the division of the trachea
right and left main (primary) bronchi
runs obliquely before it plunges into the medial depression (hilum) of the lung on its own side
each main bronchus
is wider, shorter, and straighter, more common site for an inhaled foreign object to become lodged.
right main bronchus
it is warm, cleansed of most impurities, and humid by the time incoming air reaches the
bronchi
smaller subdivisions of the main
bronchi within the lungs are direct routes to the
air sacs
are fairly large organs, They occupy the entire thoracic cavity
lungs
The lungs are fairly large organs. They occupy the entire thoracic cavity except for the most central area, the
mediastinum
which houses the heart, the great blood vessels, bronchi, the esophagus, and other organs
mediastinum
The narrow superior portion of each lung, is just deep to the clavicle
apex
The broad lung area resting on the diaphragm is the
base
Each lung is divided into lobes by fissures:
the left lung has two lobes, and the right lung has three
The surface of each lung is covered with its own visceral serosa, called the
pulmonary pleura or visceral pleura
the walls of the thoracic cavity are lined by the
parietal pleura
The pleural membranes produce slippery serous fluid, which allows the lungs to
glide easily over the thorax wall during breathing
and causes the two pleural layers to cling together
pleural fluid
can slide easily from side to side across one another, but they strongly resist being pulled apart
pleurae
the lungs are held tightly to the
thorax wall
is more of a potential space than an actual one
pleural space
is absolutely essential for normal breathing
tight adherence of the pleural membranes
can be caused by insufficient secretion of pleural
fluid.
Pleurisy
After entering the lungs, the main bronchi subdivide into smaller and smaller branches, finally ending in the smallest of the conducting passageways
bronchioles
lead into respiratory
zone structures, even smaller conduits that eventually terminate in alveoli
terminal bronchioles
which includes the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli, is the only site of gas exchange
respiratory zone
that
serve as conduits to and from the respiratory zone.
conducting zone structures
The balance of the lung tissue
is mainly elastic connective tissue that allows the lungs to stretch and recoil (spring back) as we breathe
stroma
The walls of the alveoli are composed largely
of a single, thin layer of
simple squamous epithelial
cells
connect neighboring air sacs and provide alternative routes for air to reach alveoli whose feeder bronchioles have been clogged by mucus or otherwise blocked
Alveolar pores
The external surfaces of the
alveoli are covered with a
“cobweb” of pulmonary
capillaries
Together
the alveolar and capillary walls, their fused basement membranes, and occasional elastic fibers construct the
respiratory membrane (air-blood barrier)
it has gas flowing past on 1 side and blood flowing past on the other
occurs by simple diffusion through the
respiratory membrane—oxygen passes from the
alveolar air into the capillary blood, and carbon
dioxide leaves the blood to enter the alveoli
Gas
exchange
sometimes called “dust cells,” wander in and out of the alveoli picking up bacteria, carbon particles, and other debris
alveolar macrophages
scattered amid the epithelial cells that form most of the alveolar walls
cuboidal surfactant-secreting
cells
cuboidal surfactant-secreting cells
These cells produce a lipid (fat)
molecule called
surfactant
which coats the gasexposed alveolar surfaces and is very important in lung function
least four distinct events, collectively called
respiration
- Pulmonary ventilation
- External respiration
- Respiratory gas transport
- Internal respiration
breathing
Air must move into and out of the lungs so that the gases in the alveoli of the lungs are continuously refreshed
Pulmonary ventilation
Gas exchange between the pulmonary blood and alveoli
must take place
gas exchanges are being made
between the blood and the body exterior
External respiration
Oxygen and carbon dioxide must be transported to and from the lungs and tissue cells of the body
via the
bloodstream
Respiratory gas transport.
gas exchange occurs between the blood and
cells inside the body
Internal respiration
is the cornerstone of all energy-producing chemical reactions and occurs in all cells
use of oxygen to produce ATP and carbon dioxide
cellular respiration
is a mechanical process that depends on volume changes occurring in the thoracic cavity
Volume changes lead to pressure changes, which lead to the flow of gases to equalize the pressure.
Breathing, or pulmonary ventilation
in a large volume
the pressure will be low
the volume is reduced
the gas molecules will be
closer together, and the pressure will rise.
air is
flowing into the lungs
inspiration
air
is leaving the lungs
expiration
the diaphragm and external intercostals, contract, the size of the thoracic cavity increases
inspiratory muscles
dome-shaped
diaphragm contracts inferiorly
the superior inferior dimension (height) of the thoracic cavity increases
increases the antero-posterior and lateral dimensions of the thorax
Contraction of the external intercostals lifts the rib cage and thrusts the sternum forward
the gases within the lungs spread out to fill the larger space
intrapulmonary
volume increases
pressure less than atmospheric pressure outside
the body
causes air to flow into the lungs.
partial vacuum
