Respiratory System

Question 1

What structures comprise the respiratory system?

Answer 1

Nose, mouth, nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchial tree, and lungs.

Question 2

What is the respiratory system’s primary function?

Answer 2

1. Deliver oxygen to cells for cellular
   respiration.
2. Remove waste in the form of carbon dioxide.

Question 3

What is the respiratory system’s secondary functions?

Answer 3

1. pH regulation of the blood
2. thermoregulation
3. odor detection
4. production of speech.

Question 4

What is the generalized structure of the lungs?

Answer 4

1. Spongy, porous in the thoracic cavity.
2. 3-lobed right lung is separated from the 2-lobed left lung by the mediastinum.
3. The trachea forks into primary bronchi which enter the left and right lung (along with blood and lymphatic
   vessels) at a region called the hilum.

Question 5

What lines the thoracic cavity and surface of the lungs?

Answer 5

Pleura lines the thoracic cavity (parietal pleura) as well as the surface of the lungs (visceral
pleura).

Question 6

Mediastinum

Answer 6

Space in your chest that holds heart in middle of thoracic cavity, between your left and right pleural cavities (which hold lungs).

Question 7

What are the divisions of the passages to the lungs?

Answer 7

Trachea –> Bronchi –> Bronchioles —–> Alveolar Ducts –> Alveoli

Question 8

What is the general mechanism for breathing?

Answer 8

Inhalation: diaphragm contracts, air enters
Exhalation: diaphragm relaxes, air exits through lung recoil