Respiratory system Flashcards
What are the four processes of respiration?
- pulmonary ventilation (breathing): air in/out of lungs
- external respiration: gas exchange btwn lung and blood
- gas transport: O2 and CO2 in the blood
- internal respiration: gas exchange btwn blood and tissue
What is the respiratory zone?
the area of gas exchange (microscopic structures that carry out gas exchange)
What is the conducting zone?
the zones that provide passages for air in and out of respiratory zones
What components make up the respiratory zone?
respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, aveoli
What areas make up the conducting zone?
nose, nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses
pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and their large branches.
Why do we need respiration?
Oxygen is needed for aerobic respiration:
glucose + O2 -> CO2 + ATP + heat
CO2 needs to be gotten rid of because:
CO2 + H2O -> H2CO3 -> H(+) + HCO3
the inc concentration of H+ ions causes a decrease in pH and affects the enzymes of the body
What are the functions of the nose and paranasal sinuses?
- provides an airway for respiration
- moistens and warms air
- filters and cleans
- resonating chamber for speech
- contains olfactory receptors
What is the philtrum?
the shallow vertical groove inferior to the apex of the nose
What is another name for the nostrils?
Nares
What are the alea?
the structure that flares around the lateral side of the nostrils (nares)
What structure is in the roof of the nasal cavity and what is its purpose?
the cribriform plate of the sphenoid and ethmoid bone
purpose is to allow olfactory nerves to pass through
What makes up the floor of the nasal cavity?
the hard and the soft palates
What is the vestibule?
the area superior to the nostrils.
What are vibrissae?
hairs inside the vestibule that trap debris from inspired air.
What is the olfactory mucosa?
the lining of the top of the nasal cavity that is responsible for smell
describe the structure (elements) of respiratory mucosa and there functions.
made up of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells for mucous secretion
contain serous glands which secrete a watery fluid containing enzymes like lysozyme (antibacterial)
cilia move mucus + captured debris
inspired air is warmed by plexuses of capillaries and veins under the epithelial membrane.
contains many sensory nerve endings that triggers a sneeze reflex when it comes in contact with foreign particles
What are the superior, middle, and inferior nasal conchae and what is there purpose?
they are protrusions from the lateral walls.
-inc the mucosal area and creates air turbulence (this slows air flow)
these two factors allow it to enhance warming, humidifying, and cleaning air.
when air returns from the lung it is more moist and warm and allows nose nasal cavity to reclaim some of it.
What is the purpose of the paranasal sinuses?
lighten the skull and help to warm/moisten airf
What is rhinitis?
the inflammation of nasal mucosa (cold). This is accompanied by the overproduction of mucus
Because the nasal mucosa is interconnected with sinuses, and respiratory mucosa, the infection can spread through the throat to the chest and lungs.
What is sinusitis?
The inflammation of the sinus mucosa
What is the pharynx?
the section that connects the nasal cavity and the mouth superiorly and the larynx and esophagus inferiorly.
it is made up of skeletal muscle that allows voluntary control
What are the three regions of the pharynx?
NASOPHARYNX
OROPHARYNX
LARYNGOPHARYNX
What is the nasopharynx?
the superior section that contains air passageways only
lining is pseudostratified columnar epithelium with cilia like the nasal cavity
the soft palate and the uvula close to seal it off when swallowing.
PHARYNGEAL TONSIL or ANDENOIDS on posterior wall
PHARYNGOTYMPANIC (AUDITORY) TUBES open into lateral walls
What system do the tonsils belong to and what is there purpose?
the lymphatic system.
there purpose is to trap and destroy pathogens
What is the purpose of the pharyngotympanic (auditory) tubes?
to equalize pressure in the ear with the outside
What is the oropharynx?
the passageway for food + air
lining of stratified squamous epithelium (more protection then PSC)
ISTHMUS OF THE FAUCES: is the opening to the mouth
PALATINE TONSILS: lie in lateral walls of the fauces
LINGUIL TONSIL: covers the base of the tongue
what is the laryngopharynx
passageway for food and air
lining of stratified squamous epithelium
posterior to the upright epiglottis (epiglottis is part of larynx)
is continuous with larynx and esophagus
What are the 4 functions of the larynx?
cartilage in it provides a patent (never closing) airway
directs food and air into proper channels
voice production
VALSALVA’s maneuver: acts as a sphincter to stabilize core
What type of cartilage are the larynx cartilages made up of (excluding epiglottis)
hyaline
What type of cartilage is the epiglottis made of?
Elastic cartilage
Name the 9 cartilage structures of the larynx.
epiglottis
thyroid cartilage (large superior cartilage) with the laryngeal prominence (ADAM’S APPLE)
Cricoid cartilage
paired cuneiform, corniculate, and arytenoid cartilages on the interoposterior surface
Explain the true and false vocal cords and there functions.
VESTICULAR FOLDS (false vocal cords) superior to true vocal cords no role in voice, but help close glottis during swallowing
TRUE VOCAL CORDS
fold of mucosa over vocal ligaments
vibration of air passing through here causes sound
muscles below the cords control tension
How is the voice produced?
SPEECH is the intermittent release of expired air while opening and closing the glottis
PITCH is determined by the LENGTH and TENSION of the vocal cords
LOUDNESS depends on force of air passing over vocal cords
RESONANCE is given by chambers of pharynx, oral, nasal, and sinus cavities
SOUND is shaped into language by muscles of the pharynx, tongue, soft palate, and lips
What is the trachea?
the windpipe from the larynx to the bronchi in the mediastinum
What are the three layers in the wall of the trachea?
MUCOSA: ciliated pseudostratified columnar with goblet
SUBMUCOSA: CT layer that contains seromucous glands that help produce the mucus sheets within the trachea
ADVENTITIA: The deep CT layer with C shaped hyaline cartilage rings
What is the trachealis muscle and what is its function?
it is made of smooth muscle and connects posterior parts of cartilage rings.
it contracts during cough to expel mucus
During swallowing it allows esophagus to expand
What is the Carina?
the last tracheal cartilage.
marks the point where the trachea branches into the two main bronchi.
The mucosa of the carina is highly sensitive and is what TRIGGERS THE COUGH REFLEX
What is the branching pattern in the air passages called?
the bronchial (respiratory) tree
What are the first three branches of the bronchi?
L and R bronchi -> lobar bronchi -> segmental bronchi
What is the diameter of the bronchioles?
< 1 mm
What are the structural changes that occur from the bronchi to the bronchioles?
Cartilage changes from C rings to irregular plates to none
Epithelium goes from ciliated pseudostratified columnar in the large to ciliated columnar in the medium to simple cuboidal in the bronchioles
Smooth muscle increases as tubes get smaller and the bronchioles have complete rings of smooth muscle
What does asthma cause?
the constriction of the smooth muscle in the smaller branches which causes difficulty of breathing
How many alveoli are there in the lungs?
approx. 300 million
What is the respiratory membrane and what is it composed of?
the barrier between the air and the blood.
optimal thickness Is 0.5 - 1 micrometer
comprised of alveolar and capillary walls (2 layers of squamous epithelial cells with fused basement membranes)
Describe the structure of the alveoli
Surrounded by elastic fibers and capillaries
Contain pores that connect to adjacent alveoli and allow air pressure to be equalized in the lungs
List and describe the 3 types of cells in the alveoli.
TYPE I SQUAMUS cells - gas exchange
TYPE II CUBOIDAL cells - secrete surfactant
ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES (dust cells) - keep surfaces sterile
What is the function of surfactant?
it is a secretion that inhibits the bonding of H2O molecules to each other and therefore reduces surface tension in the alveoli.
As a result the alveoli are less likely to collapse. (fights the viscosity)
Describe the gross anatomy of the lungs and plurae
APEX - superior tip
BASE - inferior surface that rests on the diaphragm
HILIUM - attachment point for blood vessels, bronchi, lymphatic vessels and nerves (also known as the ROOT)
CARDIAC NOTCH - accommodates the heart
How many lobes does each lung have? propose an explanation for this.
left lung has only 2 lobes
right lung has 3
the heart is located slightly more to the left of the sternum and therefore the left lung is slightly smaller
describe the division of the lungs.
Right and Left lung
LOBES of each lung
BRONCHOPULMONARY SEGMENTS: each is supplied by its own artery, vein, and segmental bronchus
LOBULES: each served by a large bronchiole and its branches
What is the stroma?
the tissue of the lung.
Consists mostly of elastic connective tissue
What are the two blood circuits that supply the lungs?
PULMONARY CIRCULATION: carries systemic blood to the lungs for oxygenation (low pressure, high volume)
BRONCHIAL CIRCUIT: carries oxygenated blood to the lungs itself (high pressure, low volume). This supplies all lung tissue except alveoli. MOST OF THE venous return from this system returns via pulmonary veins, but some will return via bronchial veins to the superior vena cava.
Describe how the lungs are innervated.
innervated by:
PARASYMPATHETIC fibers - constrict bronchioles
SYMPATHETIC fibers - dilate bronchioles
SENSORY fibers - detect changes
Enter at the root
What are the pleurae?
the thin double layered serous membrane (parietal and visceral membrane)
serous fluid is secreted between the membranes which lubricates and maintains surface tension between the layers.
What is pleurisy?
inflammation of the pleura causes membranes touch making it very painful to breath
What is pleural effusion?
Accumulation of fluid (could be blood or filtrate) in the pleural cavity. This fluid causes pressure to be exerted on the lungs making it more difficult to fill
CAUSES:
damaged blood vessel leaking blood into cavity
left sided heart failure - blood accumulates in vessels and excessive filtrate accumulates in the pleural cavity
pleurisy - rubbing of membranes may cause the production of more fluid to relieve pain
what are the three pressures involved in respiration?
Patm (atmospheric pressure): pressure exerted by air at sea level (760 mm Hg)
Ppul (pulmonary pressure): also called intra-alveolar pressure. pressure inside alveoli. Varies with each breath
Respiratory pressure: Ppul - Patm. if this is negative air will flow towards Ppul, if it is pos will move away and if it is 0 then there will be no movement
Pip (intrapleural pressure): pressure in the pleural cavity between membranes. Fluctuates with negative pressure (about 4 mm Hg less then Pip). Depends on the thoracic cavity remaining closed.