Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the five functions of the respiratory system?
- Movement of air
- Gas exchanger
- Filters, warms and humidifies air
- Influences speech
- Allows for sense of smell
What is the path through the respiratory system?
- Nose
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Lungs
What does the epiglottis do?
A: covers the entrance of the trachea when you swallow
What is the larynx? (What does it contain?)
A: it contains two elastic folds of tissue called vocal cords
What is another name for the trachea?
A: windpipe
What does the trachea have?
A: rings of cartilage
What is a tracheostomy?
A: a surgically created opening in the trachea to allow breathing
After air passes through the trachea, where does it go to?
A: two large passageways in the chest called bronchi
Where does each bronchus lead to?
A: one of the lungs
In each lung, what does the bronchus subdivide into?
A: bronchioles
What do bronchioles subdivide into?
A: millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli
What is tidal volume?
A: amount of air exhaled normally after a typical inspiration
What is expiratory reserve volume?
A: additional amount of air forced out after tidal exhale
What is inspiratory reserve volume?
A: (deep breath) amount of air that can be forcibly inhaled over and above normal
What is residual volume?
A: amount of air that stays trapped in the alveoli
What is vital capacity?
A: the largest amount of air an individual can move in and out of the lungs
What is eupnea?
A: normal quiet breathing
What is hyperpnea?
A: increase in breathing to meet an increased demand of oxygen
What is hyperventilation?
A: exhaling more than inhaling, resulting in too little CO2 in the blood
What is apnea?
A: temporary stop of breathing at the end of a normal exhale
What is asthma? What is it caused by? Is it reversible?
A: severe allergic reaction characterized by the closing up of the bronchioles. It is caused by gene changes and environmental triggers. It is reversible.
What is bronchitis? What is it caused by?
A: inflammation of the lining of the bronchioles, sometimes with mucus build-up. Caused by an infection or underlying health condition
What is emphysema?
A: lungs lose their elasticity
What does COPD stand for? What is it, and what does it include?
A: chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. A disease that continues to worsen and is not reversible. It includes asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
What is pneumonia? What is it caused by?
A lung infection where the alveoli fill with pus and other liquids. It’s caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi.
What is strep throat? What is it caused by?
A: an infection of the throat and tonsils, caused by a bacteria called streptococcus pyogens
What is a pulmonary embolism?
A: a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs
What are five ways to improve the respiratory health?
- Exercise
- Avoid asbestos
- Avoid air pollution
- Avoid smoke of all types
- Avoid radon exposure
