Respiratory System Flashcards
FUNCTIONS OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
• Pulmonary Ventilation
• External Respiration
• Internal Respiration
• Gas Transport
consists of the structures used to acquire oxygen (O2) and remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the blood.
respiratory system
is required for the body’s cells to synthesize the chemical energy molecule, ATP.
Oxygen
is a by-product of ATP production and must be removed from the blood.
Carbon dioxide
Seven (7) structures that make up the respiratory system:
external nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs
encloses the chamber for air inspiration. Although air can be inspired through the mouth, the mouth is part of the digestive system rather than the respiratory system.
External Nose
is a cleaning, warming, and humidifying chamber for inspired air.
Nasal Cavity
is commonly called the throat. It serves as a shared passageway for food and air.
Pharynx
frequently called the voice box. Its rigid structure helps keep the airway constantly open, or patent.
Larynx
is commonly known as the windpipe. It serves as an air-cleaning tube to funnel inspired air to each lung.
Trachea
are tubes that direct air into the lungs.
Bronchi
is a labyrinth of air tubes and a complex network of air sacs, called alveoli, and capillaries
Lungs
are separated by walls of connective tissue containing both collagenous and
elastic fibers. Each ________ is the site of gas exchange between the air and the blood.
air sacs
Two broad aspects of respiration:
ventilation, respiration
is simply movement of air into and out of the lungs
ventilation
is the diffusion of gases across cell membranes
respiration
two major types of respiration within the body:
external respiration, internal respiration
is the movement of gases between atmospheric air in the lungs and the blood
external respiration
is the movement of gases between the blood and the body ’s cells.
internal respiration
the respiratory tract is separated into two regions:
upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract
includes the structures from the nose to the larynx
upper respiratory tract
includes the structures from the trachea through the alveoli in the lungs.
lower respiratory tract
encompasses the structures from the nose
to the smallest air tubes within the lungs and is strictly for ventilation
conducting zone
is solely within the lungs and includes some specialized small air tubes and the alveoli.
respiratory zone
occurs within the respiratory zone.
gas exchange
This is what we more commonly refer to as breathing. Air moves into and out of the respiratory passages.
Ventilation
At the terminal portion of the air tubes, are tiny air sacs called alveoli. Oxygen moves out of the alveolar air and into the blood. At the same time, CO2 diffuses out of the blood and joins the air in the alveoli.
External Respiration
Carbon dioxide and O2 travel in the blood to and from cells.
Gas transport
Gas exchange with the tissues involves the exit of O2 from the blood into cells, while CO2 exits cells to enter the blood.
internal respiration
respiration is also known as
cellular metabolism, cellular respiration
The respiratory system can alter blood pH by changing blood CO2 levels.
Regulation of blood pH
The lungs produce an enzyme called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which is an important component of blood pressure regulation
production of chemical mediators
Air moving past the vocal folds makes sound and speech possible.
Voice production
The sensation of smell occurs when airborne molecules are drawn into the nasal cavity
Olfaction
The respiratory system provides protection against some microorganisms by preventing them from entering the body and removing them from respiratory surfaces.
Protection
Jutting external portion is supported by bone and
cartilage. Consists of the external nose and the nasal cavity
Nose
is the visible structure that forms a prominent feature of the face.
external nose
The largest part of the external nose is
composed of
hyaline cartilage plates
is the open chamber inside the nose where air first enters the respiratory system
nasal cavity
nasal cavity begins at the anterior external openings called the
nares or nostrils
It extends to posterior openings into the pharynx. These openings are called
choanae
The floor of the nasal cavity, which separates it from the oral cavity in the mouth, is called the
hard palate
The two halves are separated by a wall of tissue
called the
nasal septum
The anterior part of the nasal septum is composed of _____, while the
posterior part consists of ______.
cartilage, bone
On each side of the nasal cavity, there are three lateral bony ridges called
conchae
is inflammation of the mucous membrane of a sinus, especially one or more of the paranasal sinuses.
sinusitis
The air passes through tunnels beneath each concha. Within the superior and middle meatuses are openings from the various
paranasal sinuses
The nasal cavity also contains the opening of a ____________ for tear drainage from the surface of the eye
nasolacrimal duct
is the common opening/passageway of both the digestive and the respiratory systems.
pharynx
There are three regions of the pharynx:
(1) the nasopharynx, (2) the oropharynx, and (3) the laryngopharynx
is the most superior portion of the pharynx. It is
immediately posterior to the nasal cavity. Specifically, it is a continuation of the nasal cavity from the choanae. It extends from choanae to
uvula. Superior to soft palate
Nasopharynx
is an incomplete partition composed of muscle and connective tissue. It separates the nasopharynx from the middle portion of the pharynx, the oropharynx.
Soft palate
extension of the soft palate is called the
uvula
a continuation of the nasopharynx. It is the middle portion of the pharynx. It is immediately posterior to the mouth and begins at the soft palate. Extends from uvula to epiglottis to oral cavity
Oropharynx
Two groups of tonsils, called the _____ and the ______, are located near the fauces.
palatine and lingual tonsil
a continuation of the oropharynx. The
laryngopharynx spans the posterior length of the larynx: from the most superior larynx structure,
the epiglottis, to the esophagus.
Extends from epiglottis to esophagus
Laryngopharynx
is the largest of the cartilages. It is a single shield-
shaped piece of cartilage, which is also known as the Adam’ s apple.
Thyroid (shield) cartilage
forms the base of the larynx. It is a single piece of cartilage upon which the other cartilages rest.
cricoid cartilage
is a single piece of cartilage that is attached to
the thyroid cartilage and projects superiorly. It is unique among the larynx cartilages because it is a freely movable flap and is constructed of elastic cartilage rather than hyaline cartilage. It helps divert food away from the trachea opening during swallowing.
epiglottis
articulate with the superior border on the posterior of the cricoid cartilage.
arytenoid cartilages
are attached to the superior tips of the arytenoid cartilages.
corniculate cartilages
are contained in a mucous membrane anterior to the corniculate cartilages.
cuneiform cartilages
is commonly known as the voice box. It is located in the anterior part of the laryngopharynx and extends from the base of the tongue to the trachea.
Larynx
Located in the anterior throat and it connects
superiorly to the pharynx and inferiorly to the
trachea.
Larynx
If the vocal folds become inflamed, this occurs and the person “loses” his or her voice.
laryngitis
are the superior pair of ligaments.
vestibular folds or false vocal cords
are the inferior ligaments
vocal folds or true vocal cords
are the inferior ligaments
vocal folds or true vocal cords
is called the voice box because it houses the ligaments used for speech as well as for swallowing and other functions
Larynx
are the primary source of sound production. Air moving past to this folds causes them to vibrate and produce sound. The force of air moving past to this folds determines the loudness of the sound.
vocal folds
control the movement of the cartilages in the larynx, which changes the position and length of the vocal folds and thus the pitch of the sound.
skeletal muscles
is commonly known as the windpipe. It allows air to flow into the lungs.
trachea
is a membranous tube attached to the larynx and consists of dense regular connective tissue and smooth muscle
trachea
The trachea is reinforced with 15–20 C-shaped pieces of hyaline cartilage called
tracheal rings
Descends from the larynx through the neck and into
the mediastinum.
trachea
Located anterior to the esophagus and spine.
trachea
Consists of connective tissue and smooth muscle
trachea
The trachea has an inside diameter of
12mm, length of 10-12cm
lines the trachea
mucous membrane
The trachea divides to form two smaller tubes called
main bronchi or primary bronchi
The trachea divides into the left and right bronchi,
each of which connects to a lung.
bronchi
at the location where the trachea divides into the two main bronchi is a ridge of cartilage called the
carina
consists of the trachea and the network of air tubes in the lungs
tracheobronchial tree
arise directly from the main bronchi. In this structure, the C-shaped cartilage rings are replaced with cartilage plates.
lobar bronchi or secondary bronchi
supply subdivisions within each lung lobe, which are called bronchopulmonary segments. As the bronchi become smaller, the cartilage becomes sparse, and smooth muscle becomes more abundant.
segmental bronchi
result from continued branching of the segmental bronchi. Are less than 1 mm in diameter and have less cartilage and more smooth muscle. The larger bronchioles are lined with ciliated simple columnar epithelium.
Bronchioles
arise from several subdivisions of bronchioles. Have no cartilage in their walls, but the smooth muscle layer is prominent. Are lined with ciliated simple cuboidal epithelium.
Terminal bronchioles
occurs when the smooth muscle relaxes, making
the bronchiole diameter larger.
bronchodilation
occurs when the smooth muscle contracts, making the bronchiole diameter smaller.
Bronchoconstriction
are small, air-filled chambers where the air and the blood come into close contact with each other
Alveoli
have a few attached alveoli. As this divide to form smaller respiratory bronchioles, the number of attached alveoli increases.
respiratory bronchioles
arise from the respiratory bronchioles. These are like long, branching hallways with many open doorways. The “doorways” open into alveoli.
Eventually, the number of alveoli becomes so large that the wall of the these becomes just a
series of alveoli.
alveolar ducts
are chambers connected to two or more alveoli at the end of an alveolar duct.
alveolar sacs
number of alveoli in the two lungs.
approx. 300 million
The average diameter of an alveolus is
approximately
250 μm
Two types of cells form the alveolar wall
(1) squamous epithelial cells and (2) surfactant-secreting cells.
The thin squamous epithelial cells form ____ of the alveolar surface.
90%
thoracic wall consists of the
(1) thoracic vertebrae, (2) ribs, (3) costal cartilages, (4) sternum, and (5) associated muscles
is the space enclosed by the thoracic wall
thoracic cavity
is a sheet of skeletal muscle separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.
diaphragm
is a sheet of skeletal muscle separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.
diaphragm
are the primary organs of respiration. Based on their volume, they are among the largest
organs of the body
lungs
resting on the diaphragm
base
extending superiorly to a point about 2.5 cm above the clavicle.
apex
The right lung is larger than the left and weighs an average of ____, whereas the left lung weighs an
average of ____.
right lung (620 g), left lung (560g)
is an indentation on the medial surface of the lung. The hilum is where structures, such as the main bronchus, blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels, enter or exit the lung.
hilum
All the structures passing through the hilum are referred to as the
root of the lung
the site of gas exchange
alveoli
This structural arrangement provides room for the heart to lie between the lungs. The lung lobes are further subdivided into.
bronchopulmonary segments
The left lung also has a medial indentation called the
cardiac notch
Larynx has ___ cartilages
9
unpaired cartilages
Thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, epiglottis
paired cartillages
arytenoid cartilages, corniculate cartilages, and cuneiform cartilages
location of gas exchange
Lungs (alveoli)
Exchange of gas across respiratory membrane is influenced by:
– Respiratory membrane thickness
(must not be too thick)
– Surface area (must be large)
– Lining of the alveolar sac (must be
moist)
Blood that has passed through the lungs and picked up O2 is called
oxygenated blood
blood that has passed through the tissues and released some of its O2 is called
deoxygenated blood
The lungs have two lymphatic supplies:
(1) the superficial lymphatic vessels and (2) the deep
lymphatic vessels.
are deep to the connective tissue that
surrounds each lung, called the
superficial lymphatic vessels, visceral pleura
Follows the bronchi.
deep lymphatic vessels
Inhalation (Atmospheric Air)
PO2 (160mm Hg)
PCO2 (0.3mm Hg)
oxygen loaded form of hemoglobin
Oxyhemoglobin
Blood entering the lungs
PO2 (40mm Hg)
PCO2 (45mm Hg)
During gas exchange
PO2 (104mm Hg)
PCO2 (40mm Hg)
Blood leaving the lungs
PO2 (95-100mm Hg)
PCO2 (40mm Hg)
Blood from the lungs
PO2 (100mm Hg)
PCO2 (40mm Hg
Body Tissues
PO2 (<40mm Hg)
PCO2 (>45mm Hg)
Blood leaving the tissues
PO2 (40mm Hg)
PCO2 (45mm Hg)
Blood entering the lungs
PO2 (40mm Hg)
PCO2 (45mm Hg)
Each pleural houses
one lung
There are ___ pleural cavities within the thoracic cavity
two pleural cavities
Each lung is surrounded by a separate pleural cavity. Each pleural cavity is line with a serous
membrane called
Pleura
Pleura consists of:
Parietal and Visceral Pleura
The serous membrane that covers the inner thoracic wall, the superior surface of the diaphragm, and the mediastinum is called the
parietal pleura
is produced by the pleural membranes that functions to act as a lubricant and to help
hold the pleural membrane together.
Pleural fluid
If the pressure in the pleural cavity is ____than the alveolar pressure, the alveoli tend to expand
less
is the process of measuring volumes of air that move into and out of the respiratory system
spirometry
device used to measure these pulmonary volumes
spirometer
The process of moving air into and out of the lungs
Ventilation
is the tendency for the lungs to decrease in size after they are stretched.
Lung recoil
is the pressure within the pleural cavity between the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura.
Pleural pressure
Ribs are elevated and sternum flares as external intercostals contract. Diaphragm moves inferiorly during contraction
Inspiration/Inhalation
Ribs and sternum are depressed as external intercostals relax. Diaphragm moves superiorly as it relaxes
Expiration/Exhalation
Alveolar Air
PO2 (104mm Hg)
PCO2 (40mm Hg)
