Respiratory System Flashcards
upper respiratory tract
includes the nose, pharynx, and associated structures
nose
the most superior portion of the upper respiratory tract and is comprised of two portions: external and internal (nasal cavity)
external portion (Nose)
consists of bone and cartiliage; covered by skin and lined with a mucous membrane
internal portion (nasal cavity)
large cavity beyond the nasal vestibule in the anterior aspect of the skull that lies inferior to the nasal bone and superior to the mouth; lined with muscle and mucous membrane
internal portion functions
warm filter and moisten air
sense of smell - olfactory nerve receptors that lie within the nasal cavity
modify speech - nasal cavity creates two resonating chambers that modify speech and sound
pharynx
(throat) funnel shaped tube that starts at the internal nares and extends to the leve of the cricoids cartilage
cricoids cartilage
the most inferior carilage of the larynx
nasopharynx
the most superior portion of the pharynx
lies posterior to the nasal cavity and extends to the soft palate
a passagway for air only from the nasal cavity to the oropharynx
oropharynx
most intermediate portion of the pharynx
extends from the soft palate to the level of they hyoid bone
allows air and food to pass from the mouth to the laryngopharynx
laryngopharynx
inferior portion of the pharynx
extends from the level of the hyoid bone to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage
opens into the esophogus posteriorly and the larynx anteriorly
serves as a passageway fro both food and air
lower respiratory tract
the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs
larynx
connects to the laryngopharynx to the trachea and extends from c-4 to c-6
houses the vocal chords and is often called the voice box
the opening is covered by the epiglottis during the act of swallowing to prevent aspiration of food particles into the lungs
trachea
located anterior to the esohogua and extends from the larynx to the level of the fifth throacic vertebra
a pipe like passageway for air only to the lungs
it bifurcates at the level of the fifth veterbra into the right and left primary bronchi
carina
fromed by a posterior and somewhat inferior projection of the last trachel cartilage
primary bronchi
the right and left enter the hilum of each corrpsonding lung
hilum
the opening on the medial surface of the lungs where all tubes and vessels enter and exit the lungs
primary right bronchi
more vertical, shorter, and wider than the left primary bronchus; because of this an aspirated object is more likely to enter the right lung than the left
divide into three secondary bronchi, one for each lobe of the right lung
secondary bronchi
after the primary bronchi enter the lungs they branch into
left primary bronchi
divides into two secondary bronchi, because there are only two lobes in the left lung
tertiary bronchi
division of secondary bronchi branch
bronchioles
division of tertiary bronchi
alveolar ducts
bronchioles finally subdivide
there are numerous alveoli and sacs
alveoli
air sacs in the lungs that aid in air distribution and gas exchange. Functional units of the lungs
alveolar sacs
two or more alveoli that shar a common duct or opening
lungs
two cone shaped organs
lie within the thoracic cavity (chest)
throacic cavity
formed by the sternum, ribs, and the thoracic spine
surrounds and protects the heart and lungs and maintains internal pressure to prevent hyperinflation of the lungs
mediastinum
area located between the lungs
heart, greater vessels, trachea, esophagus, and thymus gland
pleural membrane
composed of two serous membranes and the cavity between them
serous membrane
lines a body cavity that does not open to the exterior and produces a clear watery subsance (serum) that moistens its surface
parietal pleura
outer layer of the pleural membrane; lines the wall of the throacic cavity
visceral (pulmonary) pleura
second layer of the pleural membrane; covers the lungs themselves
pleural cavity
space between the parietal and visceral pleura that is filled with a lubricating fluid
fissures
divide the lung into lobes
right lobe
divided into three: inferior, middle, and inferior
left lobe
divided into two: superior and inferior
apex
most superior portion of each lung
base
inferior portion of each lung
costophrenic angles
triangular space between the wall of the throacic cavity and the lower margin of the diaphragm which is radiographically important
