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Radiographic anatomy, physiology and pathology > Respiratory System > Flashcards

Respiratory System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the upper respiratory system also known as?

A

The upper respiratory tract

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2
Q

What makes up the upper respiratory system?
(6)

A

Nose

Nasal cavity

Mouth

Oral cavity

Pharynx (throat)

Larynx (voice box)

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3
Q

What is the lower respiratory system also known as?

A

Lower respiratory tract

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4
Q

What is the lower respiratory system made up of?
(3)

A

Trachea (windpipe)

Bronchial tree

Lungs

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5
Q

Where does the oxygen go to when you breathe through your nose?
(2)

A

Nasal cavity

Pharynx

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6
Q

Where does the oxygen go to when you breathe through your mouth?

A

Pharynx

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7
Q

Label the upper and lower respiratory tract:

A
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8
Q

What are the functions of the respiratory system?
(3)

A

Gas exchange

Sound and vocalisation

Olfaction (the ability to smell)

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9
Q

What is olfaction?

A

The ability to smell

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10
Q

What is use to smell?

A

The nose

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11
Q

What is the external part of the nose made of?

A

Cartilage

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12
Q

What does the skin of the nose do?

A

It helps to shape the nose

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13
Q

What do the nostrils of the nose do?

A

The nostrils are the main route of air entry into the respiratory system

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14
Q

Label the nose:

A
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15
Q

What are the functions of the nose and nasal cavity?
(4)

A

Warming

Filtering and cleaning

Humidification

Sense of smell

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16
Q

Why is warming a function of the nose and nasal cavity?

A

The air is heated as it passes through the nasal cavity, thanks to the rich blood supply of the mucosa.

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17
Q

Why does the air get heated as it passes through the nasal cavity?

A

Because the cold air hurts our nose, so it needs to get warmer

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18
Q

Why is filtering and cleaning a function of the nose and nasal cavity?

A

The hairs trap larger particles, while the mucus captures smaller ones. The cilia move the mucus towards the throat, where it’s either swallowed or expectorated (coughed or spat out)

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19
Q

Why is humidification a function of the nose and nasal cavity?

A

As the air moves over the moist mucosa, it becomes fully saturated with water vapour

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20
Q

Why is the air made more humid as it enters the nose?

A

Because it hurts the throat if the air is too dry, so it’s made more humid

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21
Q

Why is sense of smell a function of the nose and nasal cavity?

A

Nerve endings and fibers located in the cribiform plate at the roof of the nasal cavity are stimulated by chemicals released by odorous substances. These nerve impulses are transmitted through the olfactory nerves to the brain, where the sensation of small is recognised. So when you lose your sense of smell, these nerves have been affected by

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22
Q

What are the features of the pharynx?
(4)

A

It connects the oral and nasal cavity to the larynx and oesophagus

It being at the base of the skull and ends at the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage (C6)

It can be divided into 3 sections- nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynopharynx

It’s important for speech because it acts as a resonating chamber for sound ascending from the larynx

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23
Q

In terms of the pharynx, where does the air go when you breathe through your nose?
(3)

A

Nasopharynx

Oropharynx

Laryngopharynx

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24
Q

In terms of the pharynx, where does the air go when you breathe through your mouth?

A

Straight to the laryngopharynx

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25
What are the 3 sections that the pharynx can be divided into?
Nasopharynx Oropharynx Laryngopharynx
26
Label the pharynx:
27
Where is the nasopharynx close to?
The nose
28
Where is the oropharynx close to?
The mouth
29
Where is the Laryngopharynx connected to?
The larynx
30
What does the epiglottis do?
It separates the nasopharynx and oropharynx
31
What are the features of the nasopharynx? (4)
It’s found between the base of the skull and the soft palate The posterosuperior portion contains the adenoids tonsils It’s important for hearing because the auditory tube links the nasopharynx with the middle ear so the tympanic membrane can work It’s where the tonsils sit
32
What is found at the soft palate?
The tongue
33
What are the tonsils?
Lymphatic tissue that filters what we eat and breathe
34
What are the features of the oropharynx? (4)
It’s the middle part of the pharynx,located between the soft palate and the superior border of the epiglottis It contains: 1/3 of the posterior tongue Lingual tonsils Palatine tonsils
35
What structures does the oropharynx contain? (3)
1/3 of the posterior tongue Lingual tonsils Palatine tonsils
36
What are the lingual tonsils?
Lymphoid tissue at the base of the tongue
37
What are the palatine tonsils?
Lymphoid tissue located in the tonsillar fossa
38
What is the combination of all the tonsils called?
Waldeyer’s Ring
39
Label the tonsils:
40
Where are the lingual tonsils found?
Under the tongue
41
What are the features of the laryngopharynx? (4)
It’s located between the superior border of the epiglottis and inferior border of the cricoid cartilage (C6) It’s posterior to the larynx It’s the entrance to the oesophagus It’s also known as the hypophaynx
42
When we choke on food, where did the food go by mistake?
The larynx
43
What is the laryngopharynx also known as?
The hypopharynx
44
Label the respiratory system:
45
What are the features of the larynx? (8)
It connects the pharynx to the trachea It’s anterior to the oesophagus It’s medial to the thyroid gland It’s composed of irregular cartilages The thyroid cartilage is the most prominent The epiglottis is a leaf shaped fibroblast in cartilage that’s attached to the anterior wall of the thyroid cartilage It produces sound using the vocal chords, then the sound is amplified and manipulated by the tongue, cheeks and lips During swallowing, the larynx moves upwards, blocking the opening into it from the pharynx, and the epiglottis closes over the larynx to prevent choking
46
What is the epiglottis?
A leaf shaped fibroelastic cartilage attached to the anterior wall of the thyroid cartilage
47
Label the larynx:
48
Label the larynx:
49
What’s interesting about the hyoid bone?
It’s the only bone in the body that doesn’t connect to any other bone
50
What are the features of the hyoid bone? (4)
It lies just inferior to the mandible in the anterior neck It’s the only bone of the body that doesn’t articulate directly with another bone It acts as a moveable base for the tongue The body and horns are points of muscle attachment that raise and lower the larynx during swallowing and speech
51
Label the hyoid bone:
52
This is where the hyoid bone is
53
What 3 sections can the larynx be divided into?
Supraglottis Glottis Subglottis
54
Where is the supraglottis found?
From the interior surface of the epiglottis to the vestibular folds (false vocal chords)
55
What does the glottis contain?
Vocal chords
56
Where is the subglottis found?
From the inferior border of the glottis to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage
57
Label this image of the respiratory system:
58
What do the vocal cords look like?
59
What are the features of the trachea? (4)
It’s a continuation of the larynx, and extends downwards to the level of T5 It then divide into the left and right primary bronchi The point at which they divide is called the carina (around T4 level- vertebrae T4); this is a very important radiographic landmark It contains 15-20 c-shaped cartilage rings to prevent the trachea from collapsing, and between the cartilages, there are soft tissue bands to allow for flexibility
60
At what T level does the trachea divide into the left and right primary bronchi?
Around T4 level
61
What does T mean (e.g. T5 level)?
Vertebrae- e.g. vertebrae level 5 is the vertebrae that’s just below rib 5
62
Label the trachea:
63
What are the features of the bronchi? (3)
At the level of the sternal angle, the trachea divides into the right and left main bronchi, then into secondary bronchi Each secondary bronchi supplies a lobe of the lung, and gives rise to several segmental bronchi When the bronchi are too narrow to be supported by cartilage, they’re called bronchioles
64
Which bronchus is longer and thinner?
Left bronchus
65
Which bronchus is shorter and wider?
Right bronchus
66
When foreign things are inhaled into the body, which bronchus do they end up in? Why?
Right bronchus Because it’s wider
67
Label the bronchi:
68
Label the trachea:
69
Label the trachea and bronchi:
70
What are the features of the alveoli? (5)
It’s the place where most of gaseous exchange occurs It’s composed of squamous epithelial cells It’s very thin, so it can facilitate diffusion The capillaries (1 cell thick) run close to the alveoli There’s elastic connective tissue between capillary and alveolus- it holds them together and gives the lungs elastic recoil
71
Label the alveoli:
72
What lobes is the right lung divided into? (3)
Upper Middle Lower
73
What lobes is the left lung divided into? (2)
Upper Lower
74
How many lobes is the right lung divided into?
3
75
How many lobes is the left lung divided into?
2
76
Why does the left lung only have 2 lobes?
Because the heart sits behind the left lung
77
What is the apex of the lung?
The top of the lung
78
Where does the diaphragm sit?
Just below the base of the lungs
79
Why is the base of the lungs concave in shape?
To allow for space for the diaphragm
80
What is the hilium of the lungs?
The middle of the lung where vessels are located, so structures leave the lung here
81
Label the lateral view of the right lung:
82
Label the medial view of the right lung:
83
Label the lateral view of the left lung:
84
Label the medial view of the left lung:
85
What are the features of the pleura? (6)
Each lung is suspended in its own pleural cavity The pleural separates the lungs from the ribs and muscles, which protects the lungs The pleural consists of a closed sac of serous membrane The pleural contains a serous fluid The visceral pleural adheres to the lung covering each lobe The parietal lobe adheres to the inside of the chest wall and the upper surface of the diaphragm
86
What are the 2 types of pleura?
Visceral pleura Parietal pleura
87
Label the pleura:
88
What happens in external respiration? (3)
Venous blood arriving in the pulmonary artery contains high levels of CO2 CO2 diffuses from the venous blood down its concentration gradient into the alveoli until equilibrium is reached within the alveolar air O2 diffuses from the alveoli into the blood by the same process
89
What does oxygen saturation mean?
It’s the percentage of haemoglobin binding sites in the bloodstream that are occupied by oxygen
90
Why is oxygen saturation important?
It allows us to define blood oxygen content and oxygen delivery
91
What are the normal levels of oxygen saturation?
95-100% (unless you’re in high altitude)
92
What does it mean if oxygen saturation levels are below 90%?
It indicates hypoxemia, which results in the tissues of the body not getting enough oxygen
93
How does the autonomic nervous system regulate breathing?
Automatically, without conscious effort
94
What 2 types of nerves are involved in breathing?
Parasympathetic nerves Sympathetic nerves
95
What do the sympathetic nerves do?
They lead to the dilation of the bronchial tree
96
What do parasympathetic nerves do?
They cause the constriction of the bronchial tree
97
What happens during inhalation/inspiration? (5)
The external intercostal muscles contract, elevating the ribs Simultaneously, the diaphragm contracts and flattens This expands the thoracic cavity and increases its volume whilst decreasing the pressure The parietal pleura, which is attached to both the diaphragm and rib cage, is pulled outward as the chest expands The outwards movement also draws the visceral pleura, which is connected to the lung tissue, causing the lungs to expand
98
What happens during exhalation/expiration? (4)
The external intercostal muscles and diaphragm start to relax This reduces the volume of the thoracic cavity and increases the pressure inside The rise in pressure pushes air out of the respiratory system Even after exhalation, some air remains in the lungs to stop them from collapsing
99
Which type of imaging is used to see the thyroid gland? Why?
Thyroid gland Because it’s a gland

Radiographic anatomy, physiology and pathology (25 decks)

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