Respiratory System Flashcards
Primary functions of the respiratory system
Exchange of gases
Air distribution
Organs of the UPPER respiratory tract.
Organs of LOWER respiratory tract.
Upper - Nasal cavity, Pharynx, Larynx
Lower - Trachea, Bronchial Tree, Lungs
Function of respiratory membrane.
It separates the air in the alveoli from the blood in surrounding capillaries.
Function of ciliary escalator
Trap and push out any particles we don’t want
Too remove inhaled contaminants from the lower portions of the bronchial tree, the cleansing layer of mucus with the debris moves up towards pharynx on millions of hairlike cilia that move in one direction.
These cilia are the ciliary escalator because they move contaminants one direction – up and out of the body.
What are paranasal sinuses?
What is their function?
- Spaces of cavities
located inside the frontal, maxillary, sphenoidal, & ethmoid bones (close to the nose)
The paranasal sinuses drain into the nasal cavities. They assist in producing mucus for the respiratory tract.
- main function is DRAINAGE into the nasal cavities.
- Assist in MUCUS PRODUCTION for the respiratory tract
Three divisions of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx - behind the nose
Oropharynx - back of throat
Laryngopharynx - above voice box
Scientific term for voice box
Larynx
Keeps the trachea from collapsing
15-20 C-shaped rings of cartilage
What are bronchi and their function?
- air distribution passageway
- allowing intake of air from the trachea to the lower lung
Function of the alveoli
- Exchange of gases between air and blood
- Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood circulating and the alveolar air
Describe structure and function of pleura
Structure - moist, smooth, slippery membrane
The pleura covers the outer surface of the lungs. It is a thin, moist, slippery membrane that reduces friction.
Function - slippery membrane that reduces friction, ensure does not rub or irritate,
Differentiate between respiratory MEMBRANE and respiratory MUCOSA
MEMBRANE = extremely thin barrier separating air in the alveoli from blood in the surrounding pulmonary capillaries
MUCOSA = lines the tubes of the respiratory tree
How does the diaphragm operate during inspiration?
During expiration?
Inspiration = Contracting, diaphragm flattens out
Expiration = Relaxing, diaphragm is elevated by the contraction of the abdominal muscles
What is Vital Capacity and how is it measured?
largest amount of air one can breathe out in one expiration.
It is measured with a spirometer.
What is external respiration?
The exchange of gases between air in the lungs and in the blood
Where are the respiratory control centers located?
Medulla & pons of the brain
What are chemoreceptors?
How do they influence breathing?
Receptors sensitive to increases in blood CO2 level and decreases in blood O2 level.
(Respond to changes in CO2, Blood acid levels, and O2)
Sending nerve impulses to the respiratory regulatory centers that in turn modify respiratory rates.
What is Hyperventilation?
Hypoventilation?
Hyperventilation - Rapid and deep respiration
Hypoventilation - Slow and shallow respirations
What is internal respiration?
Exchange of gases that occurs between blood in systemic capillaries and the body cells.
In what form does most oxygen travel in the blood?
Oxygen combines with the hemoglobin in the blood to form oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) - 97%
So it can be carried to the tissues & used by the body cells.
Only 3% of O2 is dissolved in the blood
In what 3 forms does carbon dioxide travel in the blood?
Dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) - 10%
Carbaminohemoglobin (HbCO2) - 20%
Bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) - 70%
