Respiratory System Flashcards
Respiratory System Functions
Gas exchanges between blood and environment occur only in the alveoli of the lungs. Pathways to the lungs PURIFY, HUMIDIFY, and WARM the incoming air
Upper Respiratory Tract
Pathway of air from the nares to the trachea
Nose
The ONLY externally visible part of the respiratory system.
Nostrils (Nares)
Route where air enters the nose
Nasal Cavity
Interior of the nose
Nasal Septum
Divides the nasal cavity
Respiratory mucosa
- Lines nasal cavity
- Moistens air
- Produce mucus
-Traps foreign particles
Pharynx (THROAT)
Has 3 regions.
1. Nasopharynx - Superior region behind nasal cavity
2. Oropharynx - Middle region behind mouth
3. Laryngopharynx - Inferior region attached to larynx
**Air and food both pass through the oropharynx and laryngopharynx
Tonsils
Clusters of LYMPHATIC TISSUE–they protect the body from infection.
Pharyngeal tonsil (ADENOID) is superior and located in the superior NASOPHARYNX
Palatine tonsils (2) are located in the oropharynx and can be seen from the mouth
Larynx
AKA VOICE BOX.
- Routes air and food into proper channels
Located inferior to the PHARYNX
- Made of 8 hyaline cartilages, thyroid cartilage (ADAMS APPLE) is the largest
Epiglottis
- Spoon shaped flap of elastic cartilage
- Protects upper opening of the larynx
Vocal Folds
- Vibrate wiht expelled air
- Allows us to speak.
The GLOTTIS is the OPENING between the vocal chords.
What is included in the LOWER respiratory tract?
-Trachea
-Primary Bronchi
-Bronchioles
-Respiratory bronchioles
-Alveolar ducts
-Alveoli
-Pulmonary capillaries
Trachea (AKA WINDPIPE)
- Long tube that connects to the larynx.
- WAlls are reinforced with C shaped rings of hyaline cartilage.
- Lined with ciliated mucosa. (CILIA are beating in upward direction this time, and GOBLET CELLS are producing mucus.
Primary or Main Bronchi
- Formed by division of the trachea
- Bronchi then divide into smaller and smaller branches
Lungs basic anatomy
Occupy the ENTIRE thoracic cavity except for the central MEDIASTINUM.
- Apex of each lung is the top tip
- Base rests on diaphragm
- each lunch divided into lobes. Left lung (2) and right lung (3)
Serosa
Covers outer surface of the lungs and makes serous fluid
Pulmonary (Visceral) pleura
covers the lung surface
Parietal pleura
Lines the walls of thoracic cavity
Pleural serous fluid
Fills the area between layers. Allows the lungs to glide over the thorax.
- decreases friction during breathing
Plearul Space (between layers)
Potential space
Conducting Zone
Trachea > Primary bronchi > Bronchioles > terminal bronchioles
Functions to get the air from the outsides, condition it, and transfer to respiratory zone for GAS EXCHANGE
Respiratory Zone
Site of ACTUAL gas exchange.
Includes:
- Respiratory bronchioles
-Alveolar ducts
-Aleovlar sacs
-Alveoli (Air Sacs)
Simple Diffusion
O2 and CO2 exchanged through respiratory membrane by simple diffusion
Hypoventilation
Dramatically increases carbonic acid concentration and involves super slow breathing
Soft and Hard Palate
Separates nasal cavity
External Respiration
CO2 unloaded from blood
Damaged CIlia
May lead to inability to propel mucus from lungs to throat
Intrapleural Pressure
The pressure in intrapleural space is always negative with respect to the lungs
Tidal Volume
Normal quiet breathing, about ~500mL of air is moved
Inspiratory Reserve Volume
Amount of air that can be taken in forcibly above the tidal volumeE
Expiratory Reserve Volume
Amout of air that can be forcibly exhaled beyong tidal expiration
Residual Volume
CANNOT exhale all air from lungs
Vital Capacity
Total amount of exchangeable air
Dead space volume
Some air remaining in the conducting zone and is not available fr blood exchange
Funtional VOlume
Air that actually reaches the respiratory zone
Bronchiol sounds
Air movnig through the trachea and bronchi
Vesicular Sounds
Air filling the alveoli. this is a muffled breeze sound
Abnormal Respiratory Sounds
Diseased tissues, excess mucus, or pus can produce abnormal sounds such as crackles, wheezing, and rales.
