Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the upper respiratory system also known as?
The upper respiratory tract
What makes up the upper respiratory system?
(6)
Nose
Nasal cavity
Mouth
Oral cavity
Pharynx (throat)
Larynx (voice box)
What is the lower respiratory system also known as?
Lower respiratory tract
What is the lower respiratory system made up of?
(3)
Trachea (windpipe)
Bronchial tree
Lungs
Where does the oxygen go to when you breathe through your nose?
(2)
Nasal cavity
Pharynx
Where does the oxygen go to when you breathe through your mouth?
Pharynx
Label the upper and lower respiratory tract:
What are the functions of the respiratory system?
(3)
Gas exchange
Sound and vocalisation
Olfaction (the ability to smell)
What is olfaction?
The ability to smell
What is use to smell?
The nose
What is the external part of the nose made of?
Cartilage
What does the skin of the nose do?
It helps to shape the nose
What do the nostrils of the nose do?
The nostrils are the main route of air entry into the respiratory system
Label the nose:
What are the functions of the nose and nasal cavity?
(4)
Warming
Filtering and cleaning
Humidification
Sense of smell
Why is warming a function of the nose and nasal cavity?
The air is heated as it passes through the nasal cavity, thanks to the rich blood supply of the mucosa.
Why does the air get heated as it passes through the nasal cavity?
Because the cold air hurts our nose, so it needs to get warmer
Why is filtering and cleaning a function of the nose and nasal cavity?
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)
Why is humidification a function of the nose and nasal cavity?
As the air moves over the moist mucosa, it becomes fully saturated with water vapour
Why is the air made more humid as it enters the nose?
Because it hurts the throat if the air is too dry, so it’s made more humid
Why is sense of smell a function of the nose and nasal cavity?
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
What are the features of the pharynx?
(4)
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
In terms of the pharynx, where does the air go when you breathe through your nose?
(3)
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
In terms of the pharynx, where does the air go when you breathe through your mouth?
Straight to the laryngopharynx
What are the 3 sections that the pharynx can be divided into?
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
Label the pharynx:
Where is the nasopharynx close to?
The nose
Where is the oropharynx close to?
The mouth
Where is the Laryngopharynx connected to?
The larynx
What does the epiglottis do?
It separates the nasopharynx and oropharynx
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
What is found at the soft palate?
The tongue
What are the tonsils?
Lymphatic tissue that filters what we eat and breathe
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
What structures does the oropharynx contain?
(3)
1/3 of the posterior tongue
Lingual tonsils
Palatine tonsils
What are the lingual tonsils?
Lymphoid tissue at the base of the tongue
What are the palatine tonsils?
Lymphoid tissue located in the tonsillar fossa
What is the combination of all the tonsils called?
Waldeyer’s Ring
Label the tonsils:
Where are the lingual tonsils found?
Under the tongue
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
When we choke on food, where did the food go by mistake?
The larynx
What is the laryngopharynx also known as?
The hypopharynx
Label the respiratory system:
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
What is the epiglottis?
A leaf shaped fibroelastic cartilage attached to the anterior wall of the thyroid cartilage
Label the larynx:
Label the larynx:
What’s interesting about the hyoid bone?
It’s the only bone in the body that doesn’t connect to any other bone
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
Label the hyoid bone:
This is where the hyoid bone is
What 3 sections can the larynx be divided into?
Supraglottis
Glottis
Subglottis
Where is the supraglottis found?
From the interior surface of the epiglottis to the vestibular folds (false vocal chords)
What does the glottis contain?
Vocal chords
Where is the subglottis found?
From the inferior border of the glottis to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage
Label this image of the respiratory system:
What do the vocal cords look like?
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
At what T level does the trachea divide into the left and right primary bronchi?
Around T4 level
What does T mean (e.g. T5 level)?
Vertebrae- e.g. vertebrae level 5 is the vertebrae that’s just below rib 5
Label the trachea:
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
Which bronchus is longer and thinner?
Left bronchus
Which bronchus is shorter and wider?
Right bronchus
When foreign things are inhaled into the body, which bronchus do they end up in?
Why?
Right bronchus
Because it’s wider
Label the bronchi:
Label the trachea:
Label the trachea and bronchi:
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
Label the alveoli:
What lobes is the right lung divided into?
(3)
Upper
Middle
Lower
What lobes is the left lung divided into?
(2)
Upper
Lower
How many lobes is the right lung divided into?
3
How many lobes is the left lung divided into?
2
Why does the left lung only have 2 lobes?
Because the heart sits behind the left lung
What is the apex of the lung?
The top of the lung
Where does the diaphragm sit?
Just below the base of the lungs
Why is the base of the lungs concave in shape?
To allow for space for the diaphragm
What is the hilium of the lungs?
The middle of the lung where vessels are located, so structures leave the lung here
Label the lateral view of the right lung:
Label the medial view of the right lung:
Label the lateral view of the left lung:
Label the medial view of the left lung:
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
What are the 2 types of pleura?
Visceral pleura
Parietal pleura
Label the pleura:
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
What does oxygen saturation mean?
It’s the percentage of haemoglobin binding sites in the bloodstream that are occupied by oxygen
Why is oxygen saturation important?
It allows us to define blood oxygen content and oxygen delivery
What are the normal levels of oxygen saturation?
95-100% (unless you’re in high altitude)
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
How does the autonomic nervous system regulate breathing?
Automatically, without conscious effort
What 2 types of nerves are involved in breathing?
Parasympathetic nerves
Sympathetic nerves
What do the sympathetic nerves do?
They lead to the dilation of the bronchial tree
What do parasympathetic nerves do?
They cause the constriction of the bronchial tree
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
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
Which type of imaging is used to see the thyroid gland?
Why?
Thyroid gland
Because it’s a gland
