Respiratory System Flashcards by Sophie Miller

Where does the upper respiratory tract run from?

Nasal cavity to pharynx

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Where does the lower respiratory tract run from?

Larynx to lungs

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What are the functions of the respiratory system?

Breathing
Blood pH regulation
Voice production
Olfaction (smell)
Protection from micro-organisms
Intimate relationship with pulmonary circulation & heart

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The shape of the nasal cavity is defined by ____ and it is lined by _______ epithelium. There is a _______ membrane on the floor of the nasal cavity which is rich in _____ ______, and it is divided L-R by the _____ ______. It has cartilage anteriorly and bone posteriorly.

The shape of the nasal cavity is defined by BONES, and it is lined by RESPIRATORY epithelium. There is a MUCOUS membrane on the floor of the nasal cavity which is rich in BLOOD VESSELS, and it is divided L-R by the NASAL SEPTUM. It has cartilage anteriorly and bone posteriorly.

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What are the 3 functions of the nasal cavity?

warm, humidify & filter air
smell
contribution to voice sound

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What is rhinitis?

Rhinitis is an infection of nasal mucosa, which can be viral or bacterial, or an allergy or chemical irritant.

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What are the functions of the paranasal sinuses?

to reduce skull weight
to enlarge the volume of the nasal cavity
to modify resonance of voice

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What is sinusitis? How does acute differ from chronic?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. It often accompanies rhinitis. Mucous blocks the passageway for sinuses to drain into nasal cavity.
Acute sinusitis causes a severe headache localized to forehead/cheek, which worsens when you lean forward.
Chronic sinusitis lasts for longer than 8 weeks, and has less pronounced symptoms.

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The pharynx, or throat, is the common opening for the ______ and ______ systems. It is ______ to nasal/oral cavities, and ______ connects to the larynx and the oesophagus.

The pharynx, or throat, is the common opening for the DIGESTIVE and RESPIRATORY systems. It is POSTERIOR to nasal/oral cavities, and INFERIORLY connects to the larynx and the oesophagus.

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What are the 3 sections of the pharynx?

The nasopharynx is posterior to the conchae, and superior to the soft palate
The oropharynx is from the soft palate to the epiglottis. It allows air & food & drink to pass through it
The laryngopharynx is from the epiglottis to the oesophagus, and passes posteriorly to the larynx

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The wall of the pharynx is _______ muscle and is lined by a ______ membrane. The respiratory epithelium in the nasopharynx is _______ ________ ________ epithelium, while it is _______ ________ epithelium in the oropharynx and laryngopharynx.

The wall of the pharynx is SKELETAL muscle and is lined by a MUCOUS membrane. The respiratory epithelium in the nasopharynx is PSEUDOSTRATIFIED CILIATED COLUMNAR epithelium, while it is STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS epithelium in the oropharynx and laryngopharynx.

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What are the functions of the pharynx?

it is part of upper airways
it is part of the digestive tract
Immune system: pharyngeal tonsil
contributes to sound/speech
the auditory tube opens into nasopharynx, so it equalizes pressure in the middle ear

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What do muscles of the pharynx do when you swallow?

Muscles of soft palate close the nasal cavity when you swallow, while the muscles of the pharynx elevate & constrict the pharynx when you swallow to push food down the oesophagus.

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What is the larynx?

The larynx is the anterior part of throat, or the voicebox.

The larynx runs from the base of the tongue to the trachea.

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The larynx is lined by a ______ membrane, and above the vocal folds is lined by ______ ______ epithelium, while below is lined by _______ epithelium.

The larynx is lined by a MUCOUS membrane, and above the vocal folds is lined by STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS epithelium, while below is lined by RESPIRATORY epithelium.

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What is the largest cartilage in the larynx?

The unpaired thyroid cartilage (the adam’s apple).

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What is the most inferior cartilage in the larynx?

The unpaired cricoid cartilage, at the base of the larynx.

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What is the most superior cartilage in the larynx?

The unpaired epiglottis

Where can an emergency air inlet be made in the larynx? Where can a more permanent solution be?

An emergency air inlet can be made by cutting the ligament between the cricoid & thyroid (a conicotomy)..
A more permanent solution is a tracheostomy, which is an opening at the level of the 2nd - 3rd tracheal cartilage.

What is the epiglottis?

The epiglottis is the gate to the lower respiratory tract
which controls the flow of air but prevents entry of solids and liquids. It also plays a role in speech via the vocal cords.

What is the glottis?

The glottis is the vocal folds and the space in between. The muscles move the arytenoid cartilage so change the position & length of the vocal folds.

What is acute laryngitis?

What is acute epiglottis?

Acute laryngitis is an inflammation & swelling of the larynx which only causes mild respiratory distress.

Acute epiglottitis is a bacterial infection, typically in children, which causes serious breathing & swallowing difficulties and is a suffocation risk.

How does the epiglottis move in swallowing?

It moves in swallowing: when only air flows into the larynx, the epiglottis projects up & the larynx opens. However, when swallowing, the larynx is pulled superiorly & the epiglottis tips to cover the larynx inlet. If this fails, there is a coughing reflex to expel the substance.

The trachea, or windpipe, is a roughly _____cm long ‘pipe’ attached to the ______. It is made of dense ______ _______ and ______ ______. It is reinforced with 15-20 C-shaped cartilages which _____ the trachea and maintains an ______ _______.

The trachea begins below the ______ cartilage and ends by bifurcating. The oesophagus lies directly ______.

The anterior and lateral walls are _______, and the posterior wall is elastic ligament and trachealis muscle. It is lined by a _______ membrane. The cells are _________ _______ _______ epithelium and goblet cells (which produce ______). When you cough, air moves rapidly through the trachea by contracting the _____ ______ and so expelling mucous, etc.

The trachea, or windpipe, is a roughly 10-12 cm long ‘pipe’ attached to the LARYNX. It is made of dense CONNECTIVE TISSUE and SMOOTH MUSCLE. It is reinforced with 15-20 C-shaped cartilages which PROTECTS the trachea and maintains an OPEN AIRWAY.

The trachea begins below the CRICOID cartilage and ends by bifurcating. The oesophagus lies directly POSTERIOR.

The anterior and lateral walls are CARTILAGE, and the posterior wall is elastic ligament and trachealis muscle. It is lined by a MUCOUS membrane. The cells are PSEUDOSTRATIFIED CILIATED COLUMNAR epithelium and goblet cells (which produce MUCOUS). When you cough, air moves rapidly through the trachea by contracting the SMOOTH MUSCLE and so expelling mucous, etc.

What is the difference between the right and left primary bronchi?

The primary bronchi are asymmetric, with the right bronchus being steeper, wider, and shorter than the left. Foreign bodies are more likely to obstruct the right primary bronchus than the left.

What is the function of the cartilage around the tracheobronchial tree?

To keep it open and smooth muscle which changes | the diameter.

What do the secondary bronchi provide?

Lobes of the lungs

What do the tertiary bronchi supply?

The lung segments

As you go down the trachea bronchial tree, cartilage _______ and smooth muscle _______. In the bronchioles there is no _______ and the smooth muscle contraction alters the diameter, for example during exercise to ______ air flow.

As you go down the trachea bronchial tree, cartilage DECREASES and smooth muscle INCREASES. In the bronchioles there is no CARTILAGE, and the smooth muscle contraction alters the diameter, for example during exercise to INCREASE air flow.

What is asthma? What is COPD?

In the tracheobronchial tree the small airways can become easily obstructed. Asthma bronchiale is an allergy associated with spasm of small bronchioli due to the muscles contracting. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. It is common in smokers and miners.

Where does the base of the lungs rest? Where does the apex extend to?

The base of the lungs rests in the diaphragm, while the apex extends to 2.5cm above the clavicle

Each lung is surrounded by a ______ cavity formed by the pleural _____ membranes: the ______ ______ lines the surface of the lung, while the parietal pleura covers the _____ surfaces. Pleural fluid fills cavities, and acts as a lubricant to reduce friction, and holds the parietal & visceral membranes together- this holds the lungs to the _____ _____. If there is air in the pleural cavity (known as a ________) it results in collapse of the lung and serious breathing difficulties.

Each lung is surrounded by a PLEURAL cavity formed by the pleural SEROUS membranes: the VISCERAL PLEURA lines the surface of the lung, while the parietal pleura covers the INNER surfaces. Pleural fluid fills cavities, and acts as a lubricant to reduce friction, and holds the parietal & visceral membranes together- this holds the lungs to the THORACIC WALL. If there is air in the pleural cavity (known as a PNEUMOTHORAX) it results in collapse of the lung and serious breathing difficulties.

What is the root of the lung?

Structures pass through the hilum at the root of the lung. This is a gateway to the lungs for air and blood, and anchors the lungs to the mediastinum.

Large _______ subdivide the lungs into lobes, forming a natural groove. The right lung has _ lobes, while the left lung only has _, leaving room for the ______ _____. The lobes then subdivide into ____-______ _________. Each segment is an anatomical and functional unit of the lung, separated by _______ _______- blood vessels don’t cross connective tissue.

Large FISSURES subdivide the lungs into lobes, forming a natural groove. The right lung has 3 lobes, while the left lung only has 2, leaving room for the CARDIAC NOTCH. The lobes then subdivide into BRONCHO-PULMONARY SEGMENTS. Each segment is an anatomical and functional unit of the lung, separated by CONNECTIVE TISSUE- blood vessels don’t cross connective tissue.

What are alveoli?

There are around 300 million alveoli in the 2 lungs. They are air filled chamber which allow for gas exchange between the air and blood. They are around 250um in diameter.

Alveoli's thin walls are composed of 2 cell types. Describe them.

Type 1 is around 90% of alveoli, and is made up of epithelial cells, and allows for gas exchange Type 2 is made up of cuboidal secretory cells and produces surfactant to keep alveoli open

How do the alveoli facilitate efficient gas exchange?

* Thin alveolar epithelium * Thin basement membrane * Thin capillary endothelium * Thin layer of surfactant lining the alveolus

Gas exchange is permitted by what 3 things?

a dense network of pulmonary capillaries covering 90% of the alveoli surface the large surface area of alveoli- they are around 75 m2, roughly the same as a tennis pitch! they have a moist surface (surfactant) to allow oxygen to dissolve from air to blood

Describe emphsyema

Emphysema is when the alveoli are enlarged as the wall is destroyed. This is common in smokers and miners for example. This means the lungs compliance is reduced, and so the small bronchioli collapse. This results in large 'inflated' lungs, but the vital capacity is reduced, causing breathing difficulties.

Describe the 2 phases of inspiration.

1. Movement of the ribs: This is when the external intercostal muscles contract and the total volume of the ribcage increases. 2. Movement of the diaphragm: The central part moves downwards and the chest volume increases. The lungs then extend to fill the available space.

The resting tidal volume is around _____. The maximal “vital” capacity is roughly between 3 to 5.5 liters. During inspiration, muscles ______ the ribs to increase the thoracic volume and the diaphragm ______ and _______. This causes pressure in the lungs to ___ so air is drawn in. The muscles of expiration ______ the ribs.

The resting tidal volume is around HALF A LITER. The maximal “vital” capacity is roughly between 3 to 5.5 liters. During inspiration, muscles ELEVATE the ribs to increase the thoracic volume and the diaphragm FLATTENS and DESCENDS. This causes pressure in the lungs to FALL so air is drawn in. The muscles of expiration DEPRESS the ribs

During expiration, the lungs reach the ?th rib anteriorly, ?th rib laterally and the ?th thoracic vertebrae posteriorly. During deep inspiration the lungs reach the ?th rib anteriorly, ?Th rib laterally and the ?th thoracic vertebrae posteriorly.

During expiration, the lungs reach the 6th rib anteriorly, 8th rib laterally and the 10th thoracic vertebrae posteriorly. During deep inspiration the lungs reach the 8th rib anteriorly, 10th rib laterally and the 12th thoracic vertebrae posteriorly.

What is pneumonia, and how does it appear on a chest x-ray?

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs with massive infiltration and fluid in the alveoli and bronchi, which appears as opaque area in the x-ray.