Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the function of the respiratory system?
To provide the body with oxygen needed to carry out cellular respiration while at the same time removing carbon dioxide a poisonous waste product of respiration in cells from the body
What is the function of the upper respiratory system and what does it consist of? Also, what does the epiglottis do?
The function is to transport air from the outside of the body whilst the air is warmed moistened filtered.
It does the above through house of the entrance of the nostrils that foreign particles, and nasal cavity with a large surface area lined with a mucus membrane which moistens and warms the air whilst the sticky mucus also traps particles of bacteria, viruses smoke and dust and extends from the nose to the pharynx
It comprises the nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box/Adam‘s Apple ) and trachea
The epiglottis prevents food from going into the lungs
Describe the structure of the trachea and oesophagus
• The trachea is located in front (anterior) of the oesophagus in the neck and upper chest.
Trachea (Windpipe)
• Structure: Rigid, ~10–12 cm long, C-shaped cartilage rings keep it open.
• Lining: Ciliated epithelium & goblet cells trap dust/mucus.
• Function: Carries air to and from the lungs.
Oesophagus (Food Pipe)
• Structure: Flexible, ~25 cm long, no cartilage, collapses when empty.
• Lining: Stratified squamous epithelium for protection.
• Function: Moves food to the stomach via peristalsis.
Key Difference: Trachea is open & rigid, oesophagus is collapsible & muscular.
The trachea branches into the bronchi at the level of the sternal angle (T4/T5 vertebrae), while the oesophagus continues downward to the stomach.
Explain the structure of the lower respiratory tract
It begins as the lower end of the trachea divides into two branches of bronchi which are structurally similar to the trachea. These branches further divide into smaller tubes called the bronchioles which contains smooth muscle so they can dial in constrict in response to environmental factors such as temperature of air.
The bronchioles end in alveoli which have a huge total surface area to allow the gaseous exchange and diffusion to occur by the capillaries that surround the alveoli
A steep concentration gradient is maintained due to air in and out of the lungs and blood circulation in terms of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Describe the structure of the lungs
The lungs are inside the rib cage for protection between the ribs are the intercostal muscles important for breathing? Across the base of the chest, Cavity is the diaphragm a muscular sheet which is doomed in shape when it is relaxed?
The right lung has three loaves where as the left has two lobes each lung is surrounded by a pleural membrane which has fluid between the two layers allowing the layers to slide over reducing chest cavity friction
Explain the process of inspiration step-by-step
When breathing in the external intercostal muscles contract pulling the ribs upwards and out.
The diaphragm contracts flattening out from his usual dome shape
This causes pressure inside the thorax to be lower than the pressure outside of the thorax which causes air to travel down the pressure gradient.
In heavy exercise, the external intercostal muscles contract more powerfully and the ribs are lifted further up increasing the volume of the chest cover more reducing the pressure so even more errors force into the lungs
What is the main key difference between inspiration and expiration?
In normal breathing Expiration is a passive process that requires no energy and as a result of the internal intercostal and external intercostal muscles and the diaphragm relaxing. The ribs dropped down due to gravity.
Although in active expiration when you’re forcing air out of your lungs, The internal intercostal muscles contract pulling the ribs down and in hard and fast decreasing chest volume considerably and forcing more air out of the lungs
Explain how breathing is controlled and what is responsible
The respiratory centre in the brain which controls breathing is located in area called the medulla oblongata which is responsible for autonomic control of breathing brought about by the nervous control of the diaphragm the intercostal muscles
Chemo receptors in the medulla the carotid bodies and the aortic body, are highly sensitive in rise and falls of carbon dioxide and pH levels as carbon dioxide is an acid product of metabolism which builds up during exercise causing acidosis
The drop in pH is identified by the respiratory centre which then stimulates to diaphragm and the intercostal muscles to increase the rate and depth of breathing and force more air in per minute and carrying out
This is a homeostatic mechanism so as blood pH drops you began to breathe more deeply and blow off carbon dioxide decreasing the amount of carbonic acid and vice versa in alkaline
Define the following terms * how much volume of air can the lungs hold?
Resting tidal volume
Inspiratory reserve
Expiratory reserve
Residual volume
Vital capacity
Forced expiatory volume (FEV1)
Peak expiratory flow
Lung Volumes & Capacities
1. Resting Tidal Volume (TV):
• The amount of air inhaled or exhaled per breath at rest.
• ~500 mL in a healthy adult.
2. Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV):
• The extra air that can be inhaled after a normal inspiration.
• ~3,000 mL in males, ~2,000 mL in females.
3. Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV):
• The extra air that can be exhaled after a normal expiration.
• ~1,200 mL in males, ~800 mL in females.
4. Residual Volume (RV):
• The air remaining in the lungs after maximum exhalation (prevents lung collapse).
• ~1,200 mL in males, ~1,000 mL in females.
5. Vital Capacity (VC):
• The maximum air volume a person can exhale after a deep breath.
• VC = TV + IRV + ERV (~4,800 mL in males, ~3,200 mL in females).
6. Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1):
• The volume of air exhaled in the first second of a forced breath.
• Used to diagnose obstructive lung diseases (e.g., asthma, COPD).
7. Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF):
• The maximum speed of expiration (measured in L/min).
• Used to monitor airway obstruction and asthma control.
How and where does gaseous exchange take place?
Gaseous exchange text place in the Alviola lungs as oxygen from the air moves into the body down a concentration mirrored and reversed by carbon dioxide
Oxygen, rich blood leaves the lungs and enters the left-hand side of the heart pumped through the aorta through arteries and into arterioles and finally into capillaries
Gaseous exchange takes place between the blood and the capillaries and the cells of your body. Oxygen is released from Oxy haemoglobin in the red blood cells in the capillaries and diseases down to a concentration gradient of the cells. Carbon dioxide is then returned to the plasma.
Define cellular respiration
Cellular respiration is the process which digested food molecules usually glucose are broken down using oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water as waste products and adenine try phosphate
Glucose plus oxygen equals carbon dioxide plus water plus ATP
The respiratory system supplies oxygen needed for selling their respiration and remove poisonous carbon dioxide waste
What is asthma in what increases a risk?
Asthma & Risk Factors
Definition:
A chronic inflammatory disease causing airway hyperresponsiveness, bronchoconstriction, and excess mucus production, leading to wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, and coughing.
Pathophysiology:
• Inflammation → Swelling of airway walls.
• Bronchoconstriction → Smooth muscle contraction narrows airways.
• Excess Mucus → Further blocks airflow.
Risk Factors:
1. Genetic – Family history of asthma or atopy (eczema, allergic rhinitis).
2. Environmental – Air pollution, smoke, occupational exposure.
3. Allergens – Pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold.
4. Respiratory Infections – Viral infections in early childhood.
5. Exercise-induced – Triggered by cold, dry air.
6. Obesity – Increases airway inflammation and resistance.
Management: Bronchodilators (e.g., β₂-agonists), corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors, and trigger avoidance.
Asthma attacks are triggered by pollen dust called their exercise and food allergies however smoking increases the risk of asthma
The symptoms include wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath
What are the potential causes of asthma?
As we can be inherited
smoking during pregnancy increases the chances of a child developing asthma
Environmental pollution
Late onto asthma may develop after viral infection
Irritations in the workplace
Housing diet and hygiene
What causes acute bronchitis versus chronic bronchitis?
The bacteria or viral infection cause acute bronchitis however chronic bronchitis is usually develop in response to factors such as smoking
What is bronchitis?
Inflammation of the membrane lining the bronchi
What is emphysema?
This is where the alveoli breaks down to form larger air sex with smaller surface area the patient feels breathless and may need additional oxygen
The causes of emphysema or repeated infections or bronchitis or smoking is the main one
What is acute coryza and that symptoms?
Coryza or the common cold is an acute viral infection of the upper respiratory tract symptoms may include headache sneezing and watery nasally discharge (RHINITIS)
What is seasonal allergic rhinitis and what is perennial rhinitis?
Hayfever is a seasonal condition which result in the allergic reaction of the respiratory tract for pollen and spores and there’s more accurately called seasonal allergic rhinitis. If you have this year round with the runny nose sneezing and nasal congestion, this is called perennial. Rhinitis
What is pneumonia and its causes and who is it most dangerous in?
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lowest areas of the respiratory tract in the bronchial tree, particularly the bronchioles and the Alviola
It can be caused by pathogenic organisms, bacteria, and viruses as well as toxic substances
It is most serious in the very young, very old very weak or people who have HIV aids
What are bronchodilators?
Bronco dilators or a form of asthma medication considered relievers. They are prescribed for relief during an aspirin attack or before exercise to decrease the risk of an attack however they do not reduce swelling and inflammation of airways.
Rescue reliever alleviate symptoms instantly wears long lasting relievers are prescribed if wheezing breathing difficulties and coughing persist and someone may use a preventer and a rescue reliever. Additionally during nocturnal asthma long-term relievers was where were used.
How are corticosteroids steroids used in asthma?
Corticosteroids are used as preventers designed to reduce swelling and information and reduce mucus production in addition to lowering the sensitivity to triggers which helps prevent asthma attacks
The protective effect is built up gradually over a period of about a fortnight and medication must be taken daily
When were non-steroid asthma relief be necessary?
When treating kids with asthma non-steroid preventers are used such as leukoytriene however they are usually less effective and may need to be taken up to 3 to 4 times a day
How is COPD treated and name some diseases?
Bronchitis and emphysema are examples of COPD and smoking is one of the major risk factors
COPD can be relieved by either acute show acting bronchodilators or short acting antimuscarinic bronchodilators
Chronic suffers may want to use long acting bronchodilators or long acting anti-muscarinic Broncodialators or xanthine inhibitors steroids may also be useful
How to treat a cough
Cough suppressants usually cacao throat to reduce irritation or decrease sensitivity of the cough centre however they often limited in value
How do you treat hayfever?
Antihistamines are used to interfere with the production recent distributions of histamines which are evolved in the allergic response to cause inflammation of tissue oral means are used
