Respiratory System Flashcards
Pharynx (throat)
The cavity that connevts the nasal passages and the mouth with the oesphagus and the larynx. It forms a major part of the throat region. The term pharyngeal refers to structures, functions, diseases, or properties relating to the pharynx
Larynx
Commonly referred to as the voice box. An organ consisting of a complex structure of several cartilagenous and muscular components, which is located in the neck of many vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, some amphibians). It manages the airflow into the lungs during breathing and prevents choking on aspired food, as it closes the airways to the lungs when food is swallowed. It also contains the vocal cords, which enable the production of sounds by modulating air flow. The term laryngeal refers to structures, functions, diseases, or properties realting to the larynx
Trachea (windpipe)
A tube-like structure connecting the larynx and the lungs through which air passes during inspiration and expiration (breathing in and out). It is made of fibrous connective tissue supported by incomplete rings of cartilage and lined with a mucus membrane
Upper respiratory tract consiss
nose, throat, larynx, trachea (windpipe), sinuses and the guttural pouches
Lower respiratory tract consists
Bronchi and lungs (associated by not included are thoracia (chest) cavity and diaphragm
Thoracic cavity
A large body chamber that is formed by the ribcage and the diaphragm. It has a cranial opening (the thoracic inlet) and a caudal opening (the thoracic outlet). It contains the lungs, the heart and some large blood vessels, and parts of the oesophagus
The respiratory centre
situated in the medulla oblongata controls breathing in a reflexive manner but it can also be consciously controlled.
Medulla oblongata
a part of the brain stem which is responsible for controlling involutary vital functions of the body, such as breathing, digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, or sneezing
Nostrils
Outer openings of the respiratory tract (the air inlet)
Flaring
The action of making their nostrils wider by contracting certain muscles of the face and nose area
Function of nostrils
Control the amount of air that enters the upper respiratory tract with every breath.
Flaring of the nostrils can increase the amount of air that can be sucked into the airways in the upper respiratory tract
Nasal cavity
Found behind the nostrils; divided in half by the nasal septum (made from cartilage); covered in mucous membrane
Nasal conchae
Turbinate bones; are found in each half of the nasal septum into three nasal passages; covered with mucous membrane
Hard plate
Lower surface of the nasal cavity is seperated from the oral cavity by it; made from bone and also covered with mucus membranes
Function of nasal cavity and nasal conchae
They are extremely well supplied with blood and when air passes over the mucous membrane it is moist and warm and with absorbing the heat and moisture form the surface which is better for the tissue of the lungs
The back of the nasal cavity contains
Olfactory mucous membrane allowing horses to detect different smells.
Sinuses
Cavaties in the bones of the skull that connect to the nasal cavities
Most important sinuses
maxillary sinus in the jaw and the frontal sinus in the forehead
Frontal sinuses
small and lie next to the front of the brain; in front of the eye
Maxillary Sinuses
Upper jaw above the horse’s molar teeth; divided into two section rostral and caudal; below the eye
Rostral
An anatomical directional term meaning closer to the nose. Generally refering to structures on the head
Caudal
An anatomical directional term meaning closer to the tail
Function of the sinuses
not known however it is thought the sinuses reduce the weight of the horse’s head. Mucous membrane’s purpose is making the air travelling warm and moist
