Respiratory System Flashcards
What does the kinetic theory of gases state?
That gases are particles moving around a space, that generate pressure by colliding with the walls of that space. Increased frequency and strength of those collisions, increases the pressure
What does Boyle’s law state?
That at a constant temperature, pressure is inversely proportional to volume
What does Charles’ law state?
Pressure is directly proportional to absolute temperature
What is the universal gas law?
Allows calculation of how volume will change as temperature and pressure change
Vol. x pressure = gas constant x temp (K)
What is partial pressure?
The fractional pressure of a gas in a maxture, normally at the same proportion as the fraction of volume of the gas in a mixture
What is vapour pressure?
The partial pressure that’s exerted by water molecules evaporating out and gas molecules dissolving into water
What is saturated vapour pressure?
Partial pressure when the rate of water molecules evaporating and gas molecules dissolving at the same time, is equal
What is meant by tension of a gas?
How readily the gas will leave a liquid
What is the mean pressure of pulmonary arteries, veins and capillaries?
Arteries - 12-15 mmHg
Capillaries 9-12 mmHg
Veins 5 mmHg
What is the optimal perfusion/ventilation ratio?
0.8
How can chronic hypoxic vasoconstriction lead to heart failure?
Increased vascular resistance from pulmonary vessels increases the afterload for the right ventricle - right ventricle failure
What is the distinguishing feature between components of the upper and lower respiratory tract
Lower respiratory tract components lie within the thorax
What are the components of the lower respiratory tract?
Trachea, bronchi (main, lobar, segmental, sub-segmental) bronchioles (main, terminal, respiratory), alveolar ducts and alveoli
What components of the respiratory system make up the conducting portion?
Nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, bronchioles and terminal bronchioles
Which components of the respiratory system make up the extra-pulmonary portion
nasal cavity pharynx larynx trachea primary bronchi
What are the functions of the nose?
Smell Respiration Filtration of dust Humidification of inspired air Elimination of secretions from paranasal sinuses and lacrimal ducts
Where are conchae found?
Lateral walls of nasal cavity, hanging inferomedially
What is the purpose of conchae?
To provide increased surface area for heat exchange
What bones are the conchae formed by?
Inferior concha by the Inferior Concha bone
Middle and superioe conchae by the medial processes of the ethmoid bone
What lies superoposterior to the superior concha?
The Sphenoethmoidal recess which receives opening of ethmoid sinus
Where do the paranasal sinuses drain into?
Frontal - middle nasal meatus
Ethmoid - Middle and superior meatus
Maxillary - middle nasal meatus
Sphenoid - superior meatus via sphenoethmoidal recess
Where does the pharynx extend from and to?
From cranial base to inferior cricoid cartilage anteriorly and inferior C6 vertebra posteriorly
What are the different portions of the pharynx and where do they run from and to?
Nasopharynx - from Cranial base to soft palate
Oropharynx - from soft palate to superior border of epiglottis
Laryngopharynx - from superior epiglottis to inferior cricoid cartilage
What are the borders of the larynx?
From laryngeal inlet to inferior border of cricoid cartilage
How does the middle ear connect to the respiratory system?
Anteromedially through the Eustachian tube to the nasopharynx
What is the purpose of venous plexuses in the non-olfactory regions of the nasal cavity?
Swell every 20-30 minutes so that airflow alternates side to side to prevent overdrying
What are olfactory cells?
Bipolar neurones with one dendrite that extends to epithelial surface to form a swelling with non-motile cilia extending from it. Internal dendrites join up to make an olfactory nerve
What epithelia lines vocal cords?
Stratified squamous non-keratinised
What is contained in each vocal cord?
Skeletal vocalis muscle
Vocal ligaments - large bundle of elastic fibres
What is the purpose of vocal cords in the respiratory system?
To help prevent foreign objects from reaching the lungs. They also close to build up pressure for the coughing reflex
What do clara cells secrete?
Surfactant lipoprotein and protein CC16
How is Protein CC16 useful clinically?
Used as marker.
High levels mean there’s been leakage across blood-air barrier
Low levels mean there’s lung damage
What type of cells are type 2 pneumocytes?
Simple cuboidal that secrete surfactant
What is a terminal bronchiole?
Bronchiole with now alveolar openings
What is an alveolar sac?
Composite air space, onto which many alveoli can open
What are the borders of the thoracic cage?
Anterior - sternum and costal cartilages Posterior - thoracic vertebrae Laterally - ribs and intercostal spaces Superiorly - thoracic inlet continuous with neck Inferiorly - diaphragm
What are the anterior articulations of the ribs?
Ribs 1-7 - sternum via costal cartilages
8-10 - costal cartilages
11,12 - end free in abdominal muscles
Which are the typical ribs?
Ribs 3-9
What do transverse costal facets of thoracic vertebra articulate with?
Articular facets of tubercle of ribs
What are the features that make the atypical ribs atypical
first - only 1 articular facet. Two transverse grooves separate by scalene tubercle, for passage of subclavian artery and vein
second - Rough area on superior surface - tuberosity of serratus anterior
10-12 - only 1 articular facet
11,12 - short with no neck or tubercle
What muscles are responsible for chest expansion in quiet respiration?
External intercostals (30%) Diaphragm (70%)
Where are the openings of the diaphragm?
Entrance of vena cava at level of T8
Entrance of oesophagus at level of T10
Aortic hiatus at level of T12
What are the three sections of the diaphragm and where do they derive from?
Costal from internal surfaces of ribs 7 to 12
Sternal from posterior aspect of xiphoid process
Lumbar from L1-L3 and medial and lateral arcuate ligaments
Where do the intercostal vessels run?
Along inferior border in intercostal groove in order of vein, artery and nerve
Where do the intercostal veins drain into?
Anterior veins drain into internal thoracic then subclavian.
Right and left posterior drain into azygous and hemizygous veins respectively, then superior vena cava
What kind of lobes does each lung have?
Right has superior middle and inferior, formed by horizontal and oblique fissures.
Left has superior and inferior, formed by oblique fissure
Where does the trachea start and end?
Starts at inferior cricoid cartilage. Ends at level of sternal angle
How many pulmonary artery and veins are there?
1 artery per lung and 2 veins per lung
Where do bronchial arteries arise from?
2 on the left come directly from thoracic aorta
1 on the right comes from thoracic aorta via the 3rd intercostal artery
What do the bronchial veins drain?
Superficial drain visceral pleura and bronchi in hilum in azygous and accessory hemiazygous veins
Deep drain all the other bronchi into main pulmonary vein
What muscles are involved in quiet respiration?
External intercostals and diaphragm for quiet inspiration