Respiratory system Flashcards
What are the different components of the respiratory system?
Nasal Cavity
Nostril
Oral Cavity
Pharynx
Epiglottis
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli
Lungs
What are the muscles involved in the respiratory system?
Sternocleidomastoid
Scalene
Pectoralis minor
Internal intercostals
Rectus Abdominus
Diaphragm
What does the Nasal cavity do?
Its a large airspace in the skull that warms and moistens the air that you breathe
What do the Nostrils do?
Allows entry and exit of air in the body
What does the Oral cavity/Mouth do?
Secondary place that allows the entry and exit of air in the body
What does the Pharynx do?
Routes air coming in from the nostrils and mouth to your larynx.
And the opposite for air coming out.
What does the Epiglottis do?
Protects the larynx.
Prevents food and water entering the respiratory system.
What does the Larynx/Voice box do?
Allows air to pass from the throat to the trachea.
What does the Trachea do?
Transports air to and from the lungs.
Defends against disease with mucus that lines the walls.
Warm and moistens the air.
What does the Bronchi do?
Carry air to and from the lungs.
What do the Bronchioles do?
Deliver air to alveoli.
What do the Alveoli do?
Allows for gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between air in the lungs and blood.
What does the Alveoli consist of?
Alveolar ducts
Alveolar sacs
What is the passage of air in the body?
- Air enters the body through the nasal and oral cavity
- Air passes through the pharynx
- Air passes through the epiglottis
- Air passes through the larynx
- Air travels through the trachea
- The Trachea branches into the left and right bronchi
- The bronchi further break down into bronchioles
- At the end of the bronchiole air travels into a group of alveoli
- At the alveoli oxygen is diffused into the blood and carbon dioxide out of it into the lungs
External intercostal muscles at inspiration and expiration?
I - They contract pulling the ribcage upwards
E - They relax pulling the ribcage downwards
Diaphragm at inspiration and expiration?
I - It contracts, pulling downwards
E - It relaxes, doming upwards
Volume of the lungs at inspiration and expiration?
I - Volume increases
E - Volume decreases
Pressure of air inside the lungs at inspiration and expiration?
I - Pressure inside the lungs decreases
E - Pressure inside the lungs increase
Entry of air into the lungs at inspiration and expiration?
I - Air is drawn into the lungs
E - Air is pushed out of the lungs
Mechanics of Inspiration
External intercostal muscles contract.
Diaphragm contracts.
The contraction increases volume in the lungs by stretching them.
The stretching reduces the pressure inside the lungs.
Pressure outside the lungs is higher therefore air is drawn in through the mouth and nasal cavity until pressure is equalised.
Mechanics of Expiration
External intercostal muscles relax.
Diaphragm relaxes.
As lungs are no longer stretched they return to their original size.
This causes pressure inside the lungs to increase.
Air is therefore pushed out as pressure inside the lungs is higher then pressure outside the lungs.
Inspiration at exercise
During exercise the process is the same but include extra muscles to help increase volume of the lungs.
These muscles include, sternocleidomastoid, scalene, and the pectoralis muscle.
These help pull the clavicle upwards and downwards.
Expiration at exercise
Rather than relaxing the ribcage is forced downwards and inwards by the internal intercostal muscles.
The rectus abdominus muscle helps force the diaphragm upwards.
Both actions reduce volume of the lungs, increasing pressure and forces air out quickly.
What is the air we breathe in made up of?
Oxygen = 21%
Carbon dioxide = 0.04%
Nitrogen = 78%
Other = 0.96%
What is the percentage of air inside the lungs?
Oxygen = 16%
Carbon dioxide = 4%
Nitrogen = 78%
What is the process of gas exchange in the alveoli?
Deoxygenated blood from the pulmonary artery passes into the capillaries next to the alveoli.
The oxygen from the alveoli diffuses into the red blood cells and the car on dioxide diffuses from the blood cell into the alveoli.
The blood is then transported by the pulmonary vein to the heart.
What is Partial pressure in the blood?
How well oxygen is able to move from the lungs to the blood.
What is the pressure of oxygen in the body?
High pressure in the lungs.
Low pressure in the capillaries.
What is Tidal Volume (TV)? At rest? During exercise?
Volume of air inspired or expired per breath
500ml at rest
Increases 3-4 litres during exercise
What is Frequency (f)? At rest? During exercise?
The rate of breathing, the number of breaths per minute
12-15 breaths per min at rest
40-60 breaths per min during exercise
What is Minute Ventilation (VE)? At rest? During exercise?
The volume of air inspired or expired in 1 minute
7500ml/min at rest
120-180 l/min during exercise
What is the equation for minute ventilation?
VE = TV x f
What is Inspiratory reserve volume(IRV)?
The volume of air available that could be inspired after tidal volume
What is Expiratory reserve volume(ERV)?
The volume of air available that could be expired after tidal volume
What is Residual volume(RV)?
The volume of air that is left in the lungs after total forced expiration
What is Vital capacity(VC)?
The total volume that can be expired and inspired
What is Total lang capacity(TLC)? What is the equation for it?
The total volume of the lungs at maximal inflation
TLC = RV + VC
What are short term effects of exercise on the respiratory system?
+ increase in the volume of air inspired in 1 breath
+ increase in the frequency of breaths in 1 minute
What are the long term effects of exercise on the respiratory system?
+ diaphragm and intercostal muscles become stronger allowing to lift the rib cage higher allowing more air in the lungs
+ increase in the number of capillaries around the alveoli
+ increase in the diameter of the alveoli
+ the diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract with a greater force increasing the pressure differences
