Respiratory System Flashcards
Organs of the Respiratory System
(6)
- Nose
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Lungs—alveoli (terminal sacs)
Gas exchanges between the blood and external environment occur only in ?
the alveoli of the lungs
Upper respiratory tract includes passageways from and to?
the nose to larynx
Lower respiratory tract includes passageways from and to?
trachea to alveoli
purify, humidify, and warm the incoming air
Passageways to the lungs
common infection, upper or lower respiratory tract?
upper
complicated case of infection or other diseases, upper or lower respiratory tract?
lower
The only externally visible part of the respiratory system
nose
are the route through which air enters the nose
Nostrils (nares)
is the interior of the nose
Nasal cavity
divides the nasal cavity
Nasal septum
are located in the mucosa on the superior surface
Olfactory receptors
The rest of the nasal cavity is lined with ?
respiratory mucosa
respiratory mucosa functions (3)
○ Moistens air
○ Traps incoming foreign particles
○ Enzymes in the mucus destroy bacteria chemically
are projections from the lateral walls
Conchae
Conchae functions
○ Increase surface area
○ Increase air turbulence within the nasal cavity
○ Increased trapping of inhaled particles
separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity
palate
palate that is anterior and supported by bone
hard palate
palate that is posterior and unsupported
soft palate
Cavities within the frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, and maxillary bones surrounding the nasal cavity
paranasal sinuses
sinuses functions (3)
lighten skull,
act as resonance chambers for speech,
produce mucus
Commonly called the throat
pharynx
Muscular passageway from nasal cavity to larynx
pharynx
Continuous with the posterior nasal aperture
pharynx
Three regions of the pharynx
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- laryngopharynx
pharynx: superior region behind nasal cavity
nasopharynx
pharynx: middle region behind mouth
oropharynx
pharynx: inferior region attached to larynx
laryngopharynx
which region/s of the pharynx serve as common passageway for air and food?
oropharynx & laryngopharynx
routes food into the posterior tube, the esophagus
Epiglottis
Separates esophagus and trachea
epiglottis
tubes that open into the nasopharynx
○ Drain the middle ear
Pharyngotympanic tubes
are clusters of lymphatic tissue that play a role in protecting the body from infection
Tonsils
tonsils (3)
pharyngeal, palatine, lingual
a single tonsil, is located in the nasopharynx
Pharyngeal tonsil (adenoid)
tonsils located in the oropharynx at the end of the soft palate
Palatine tonsils
tonsils found at the base of the tongue
Lingual tonsils
Commonly called the voice box
larynx
larynx location
inferior to pharynx
larynx is made of how many rigid hyaline cartilages? which one is the largest?
eight;
Thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple) is the largest
larynx functions
○ Routes air and food into proper channels
○ Plays a role in speech
Spoon-shaped flap of elastic cartilage
epiglottis
Protects the superior opening of the larynx
epiglottis
Routes food to the posteriorly situated esophagus and routes air toward the trachea
epiglottis
During swallowing, the ??? rises and forms a lid over the opening of the ???
epiglottis;
larynx
Vibrate with expelled air which allow us to speak
Vocal folds (true vocal cords)
includes the vocal cords and the opening between the vocal cords
The glottis
Commonly called the windpipe
trachea
trachea length
4-inch
4-inch-long tube that connects to the larynx
trachea
trachea walls are reinforced with ???, which keep the trachea patent (open)
C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage
trachea: lined with ?
ciliated mucosa
trachea: beat continuously in the opposite direction of incoming air
Cilia
trachea: Expel mucus loaded with dust and other debris away from lungs
ciliated mucosa
Formed by division of the trachea
main bronchi
Each bronchus enters the lung at the ?
hilum (medial depression)
bronchi: left or right
wider, shorter, straighter
right
Bronchi subdivide into smaller and smaller branches
bronchioles
the lungs occupy the entire thoracic cavity except for?
central mediastinum
??? of each lung is near the clavicle (superior portion)
Apex
Base of the lungs rests on the
diaphragm
how many lobes? left lung
2
how many lobes? right lung
3
Each lung is divided into lobes by ?
fissures
covers the outer surface of the lungs
Serosa
covers the lung surface
Pulmonary (visceral) pleura
lines the walls of the thoracic cavity
Parietal pleura
- ??? fills the area between layers
○ Allows the lungs to glide over the thorax
○ Decreases friction during breathing
Pleural fluid
(between the layers) is more of a potential space
Pleural space
is the network of branching passageways
Bronchial (respiratory) tree
All but the smallest passageways have reinforcing ??? in the walls
cartilage
smallest conducting passageways
Bronchioles
Terminal bronchioles lead into ??? and terminate in ???
respiratory zone structures;
alveoli
Respiratory zone includes the: (4)
Respiratory bronchioles
Alveolar ducts
Alveolar sacs
Alveoli (air sacs)
the only site of gas exchange
Alveoli (air sacs)
Simple squamous epithelial cells largely compose the walls
alveoli
connect neighboring air sacs
Alveolar pores
cover external surfaces of alveoli
Pulmonary capillaries
air-blood barrier
Respiratory membrane
Respiratory membrane:
On one side of the membrane is ???, and on the other side is ???
air;
blood flowing
respiratory membrane is formed by
alveolar and capillary walls
Gas crosses the respiratory membrane by ???
diffusion
Gas crosses the respiratory membrane by diffusion
○ Oxygen enters the ???
○ Carbon dioxide enters the ???
blood ;
alveoli
Add protection by picking up bacteria, carbon particles, and other debris
Alveolar macrophages (“dust cells”)
○ Coats gas-exposed alveolar surfaces
○ Secreted by cuboidal surfactant-secreting cells
§ Helps mature lungs of babies
Surfactant (a lipid molecule)
Functions of the respiratory system (2)
○ Supply the body with oxygen
○ Dispose of carbon dioxide
Respiration includes four distinct events (4)
○ Pulmonary ventilation
○ External respiration
○ Respiratory gas transport
○ Internal respiration
moving air into and out of the lungs (commonly called breathing)
Pulmonary ventilation
gas exchange between pulmonary blood and alveoli
External respiration
respiration event:
- Oxygen is loaded into the blood
- Carbon dioxide is unloaded from the blood
external respiration
transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide via the bloodstream
Respiratory gas transport
gas exchange between blood and tissue cells in systemic capillaries
Internal respiration
Mechanical process that depends on volume changes in the thoracic cavity
pulmonary ventilation
Volume changes lead to ???, which lead to the flow of gases to ???
pressure changes;
equalize pressure
Two phases of pulmonary ventilation
inspiration & expiration
inhalation
Flow of air into lungs
inspiration
exhalation
Air leaving lungs
expiration
inspiration: (2) contract
Diaphragm and external intercostal muscles
inspiration: what increases
Intrapulmonary volume
inspiration: what decreases
gas pressure
Air flows into the lungs until intrapulmonary pressure equals atmospheric pressure
inspiration
Largely a passive process that depends on natural lung elasticity
expiration
expiration: what increases
gas pressure
Gases passively flow out to equalize the pressure
expiration
can occur mostly by contraction of internal intercostal muscles to depress the rib cage
Forced expiration
The pressure within the pleural space is always negative
intrapleural pressure
Major factor preventing lung collapse
intrapleural pressure
If this equals atmospheric pressure, the lungs recoil and collapse
intrapleural pressure
Factors affecting respiratory capacity (4)
○ Size
○ Sex
○ Age
○ Physical condition
Normal quiet breathing
tidal volume (TV)
tidal volume: ??? ml of air is moved in/out of lungs with each breath
500
Amount of air that can be taken in forcibly over the tidal volume
Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)
Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) is usually around ??? ml
3,100
Amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a tidal expiration
Expiratory reserve volume (ERV)
Expiratory reserve volume (ERV) is approximately ??? ml
1,200
Air remaining in lung after expiration
residual volume
Cannot be voluntarily exhaled
residual volume
Allows gas exchange to go on continuously, even between breaths, and helps keep alveoli open (inflated)
residual volume
residual volume is about ??? ml
1,200
The total amount of exchangeable air
vital capacity
vital capacity in men
4,800 ml
vital capacity in women
3,100 ml
Air that remains in conducting zone and never reaches alveoli
dead space volume
dead space volume about ??? ml
150
Air that actually reaches the respiratory zone
functional volume
functional volume is about ??? ml
350
Respiratory capacities are measured with a
spirometer
non-respiratory air movements Can be caused by ??? or ???
reflexes or voluntary actions
clears lungs of debris
Cough and sneeze
emotionally induced mechanism
Crying
similar to crying
Laughing
sudden inspirations
Hiccup
very deep inspiration
Yawn
Taking a deep breath, closing glottis, and forcing air superiorly from lungs against glottis. Then, glottis opens suddenly, and a blast of air rushes upward. It acts to clear the lower respiratory passageways
cough
Similar to a cough, except that expelled air is directed through nasal cavities instead of through oral cavity The uvula (u’vu-lah), a dangling tag of tissue hanging from the soft palate, becomes depressed and closes oral cavity off from pharynx, routing air through nasal cavities. It clear upper respiratory passages.
sneeze
Inspiration followed by release of air in a number of short expirations. Primarily an emotionally induced mechanism.
crying
Essentially same as crying in terms of the air movements produced. Also an emotionally induced response.
laughing
Sudden inspirations resulting from spasms of diaphragm, initiated by irritation of diaphragm or phrenic nerves, which serve diaphragm. The sound occurs when inspired air hits vocal folds of closed glottis.
hiccups
Very deep inspiration, taken with jaws wide open; ventilates all alveoli (some alveoli may remain collapsed during normal quiet breathing)
yawn
Two/three recognizable sounds can be heard with a stethoscope
bronchial sounds
vesicular breathing sounds
bronchovesicular sound
sounds produced by air rushing through large passageways such as the trachea and bronchi
bronchial
soft sounds of air filling alveoli
Vesicular breathing sounds
sound produced by both bronchial and vesicular
Bronchovesicular sound
fatal asthma
Status Asthmaticus
Gas exchanges occur as a result of ?
diffusion
External respiration is an exchange of gases occurring between the alveoli and pulmonary blood
pulmonary gas exchange
Internal respiration is an exchange of gases occurring between the blood and tissue cells
systemic capillary gas exchange
Movement of the gas is toward the area of higher/lower concentration?
lower
external respiration: Oxygen diffuses from the oxygen-??? air of the ??? to the oxygen-??? blood of the ???
rich;
alveoli;
poor;
pulmonary capillaries
external respiration: Carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood of the ??? to the ???
pulmonary capillaries;
alveoli
Most oxygen travels attached to hemoglobin and forms
oxyhemoglobin (HbO2 )
Most carbon dioxide is transported in the plasma as
bicarbonate ion (HCO3 – )
For carbon dioxide to diffuse out of blood into the alveoli, it must be released from its ??? form
bicarbonate form
Exchange of gases between blood and tissue cells
internal respiration
An opposite reaction from what occurs in the lungs
internal respiration
internal respiration: Carbon dioxide diffuses out of tissue cells to blood
loading
internal respiration: Oxygen diffuses from blood into tissue
unloading
setting the basic rhythm
neural regulation
Activity of respiratory muscles is transmitted to and from the brain by ??? and ??? nerves
phrenic and intercostal
Neural centers that control rate and depth are located in the ??? and ???
medulla and pons
sets basic rhythm of breathing and contains a pacemaker (self-exciting inspiratory center) called the ventral respiratory group (VRG)
medulla
smooth out respiratory rate
pons
eupnea
normal respiratory rate
normal respiratory rate:
12 to 15 respirations per minute
Hospitals in Philippines = 12 to 20
Increased respiratory rate, often due to extra oxygen needs
hyperpnea
Non-neural factors influencing respiratory rate and depth (6)
physical factors;
volition;
emotional factors;
co2 levels;
hyperventilation;
hypoventilations
- Non-neural factors influencing respiratory rate and depth
○ Physical factors (4)
- Increased body temperature
- Exercise
- Talking
- Coughing
volition
conscious control
is the most important stimulus for breathing
The body’s need to rid itself of CO2
§ Increased levels of carbon dioxide (and thus, a decreased or acidic pH) in the blood increase the rate and depth of breathing
§ Changes in carbon dioxide act directly on the medulla oblongata
chemical factors: co2 levels
Changes in oxygen concentration in the blood are detected by ??? in the aorta and common carotid artery
chemoreceptors
is the stimulus for those whose systems have become accustomed to high levels of carbon dioxide as a result of disease
Oxygen
Rising levels of CO2 in the blood (???) result in faster, deeper breathing
acidosis
Exhale more CO2 to elevate blood pH
May result in apnea and dizziness and lead to alkalosis
hyperventilation
§ Results when blood becomes alkaline (alkalosis)
§ Extremely slow or shallow breathing
§ Allows CO2 to accumulate in the blood
hypoventilation
Exemplified by chronic bronchitis and emphysema
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Patients almost always have a history of ???
smoking
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): becomes progressively worse
labored breathing (dyspnea)
dyspnea
labored breathing
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Coughing and frequent pulmonary infections are ???
common
○ Mucosa of the lower respiratory passages becomes severely inflamed
○ Excessive mucus production impairs ventilation and gas exchange
chronic bronchitis
chronic bronchitis: Patients become cyanotic and are sometimes called ??? as a result of chronic hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention
“blue bloaters”
Alveoli walls are destroyed; remaining alveoli enlarge
emphysema
Chronic inflammation promotes lung fibrosis, and lungs lose ???
elasticity
emphysema: Sufferers are often called ??? because oxygen exchange is efficient
“pink puffers”
Overinflation of the lungs leads to a permanently expanded
barrel chest
○ Leading cause of cancer death for men and women
lung cancer
Nearly ???% of lung cancer cases result from smoking
90
Aggressive cancer that metastasizes rapidly
lung cancer
Three common types of lung cancer
- Adenocarcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Small cell carcinoma
Lungs do not fully inflate until ?? weeks after birth
2
Lungs do not fully inflate until 2 weeks after birth:
This change from nonfunctional to functional respiration depends on ???
surfactant
○ lowers surface tension so the alveoli do not collapse
○ is formed late in pregnancy, around 28 to 30 weeks
Surfactant
respiratory rate: newborns
40-80/min
respiratory rate: infants
30/min
respiratory rate: age 5
25/min
respiratory rate: adults
12-18/min
Rate often increases again in ?
old age
Chronically inflamed, hypersensitive bronchiole passages
asthma
Respond to irritants with dyspnea, coughing, and wheezing
asthma
Aging effects
○ Elasticity of lungs ???
○ Vital capacity ???
○ Blood oxygen levels ???
○ Stimulating effects of carbon dioxide ???
○ Elderly are often ??? and exhibit ???
○ More risks of ???
decreases;
decreases;
decrease;
decrease;
hypoxic; sleep apnea
respiratory tract infection
