Respiratory System Flashcards
3 parts of respiration
External
Transportation
Internal
Primary function of the respiratory system
Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the blood
Other functions of the respiratory system
Water loss and heat elimination
Maintenance of ph
Enhance venous return
Defence against inhaled particulate matter
General structure of human respiratory system in order
Nasal cavity Nostril Oral cavity Pharynx Larynx Trachea Right primary bronchus and site of carina Left primary bronchus Right lung Left lung Diaphragm
What is the pharynx
Muscular system connecting the nasal cavity to the larynx
Function of larynx
Connects pharynx to trachea
Allows air to pass through but blocks airway from food and drink
It is the voice box
Made of 9 pieces of cartilage with ligaments binding them together
Where is the epiglottis found and what does it do
Top of the larynx
Flaps over the glottis to prevent food blocking the airway during swallowing process
What makes up the conducting zone
Trachea
Right bronchus
Bronchioli
Terminal bronchioli
Lungs: Location Size Structure (lobe count) Blood supply
Thoracic cavity
4-6 litres
Right- 3 lobes and left- 2 lobes
Pulmonary circulation
Respiratory zone
Respiratory bronchioli
Alveoli
Respiration- external and internal processes
Ex
1) pulmonary ventilation (inspiration and expiration)
2) pulmonary diffusion
In
1) transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide by the blood
2) capillary gas exchange (internal respiration e.g. In muscles
What is diffusion and partial pressure
Diffusion is the movement of materials from a higher concentration to a lower concentration
The difference between oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations are measured by partial pressures
The greater the difference in partial pressure the greater the rate of diffusion
Where does pulmonary diffusion occur
In the alveoli
How many alveoli and what does this cover (sport court)
About 300 million alveoli
Surface area of half a tennis court
Gas exchange: 4 steps
Partial pressure of oxygen in alveolus is higher than in alveolar blood capillaries
Oxygen from the air dissolve in water at alveoli lining and diffuse in blood
Oxygen binds to haemoglobin in red blood cells to form oxyhemoglobin
Oxyhemoglobin is carried to all body cells by blood circulation
Carbon dioxide diffusion 4 steps
Carbon dioxide diffuses in the opposite direction from capillary blood to alveolar air
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood is higher that in the alveoli
Carbon dioxide diffuse out to the alveoli
Exhalation follows, to get rid of the carbon dioxide and completing the cycle of respiration
Ventilation process
Breathing in and out
Inhalation- muscles in chest wall contract
- lift ribs pulling them outward
- diaphragm contracts, moved downwards enlarging the chest cavity
Reduced air pressure in lungs causes air to enter the lungs
Exhalation- muscles in the chest wall relax
- dropping the ribs pulling them inwards
- diaphragm relaxes, moves upward reducing the chest cavity
Increased air pressure in the lungs causes air to exit the lungs
Respiratory volumes:
Tidal volume
Vital capacity
Residual volume
Tidal volume- healthy adults subconsciously breath 12 times per minute. This uses a small proportion of the available space inside the lungs - 0.5 litres per breath (6 litres per minute)
Vital capacity- max amount that we can use with forceful inspiration and expiration
Residual volume- the volume of air left in the lungs after vital capacity
During exercise what happens with breathing
Contractile force of the breathing muscles is greater
Deeper breathing = tidal volume increases
Use accessory muscles to assist breathing mechanism: pectoralis major, rectus abdominus, internal and external obliques
More breaths per minute- increases respiratory rate
Tidal volume x respiratory rate = minute ventilation
Training effects
Strength and endurance properties of the breathing muscles improves
Improves elasticity and recoil property of lung tissue
Improves diffusion capacity across the alveolar-pulmonary capillary interface
An increase in blood supply to and from the lungs
Short term effects of exercise
Body’s reaction to exercise immediately after starting until the end of a cool down period
Immediate increase in the rate and depth of breathing
More oxygen to the lungs/more waste product
Increased tidal volume
Long term effects of exercise
Increased strength of respiratory muscles
Increased vital capacity
Increased oxygen diffusion rate
Increased minute ventilation
Respiratory rate lowered at rest and during exercise
Increased lung volume and efficiency
Increase in the capillary blood supply to the lungs
Increased strength of respiratory muscles and what this does
Diaphragm and intercostal muscles increase in strength
Allows for greater expansion of the thoracic cavity
More expansion provides more efficient inhalation and expiration
Increased vital capacity - what is vital capacity and how does it increase
Maximal volume of air that can be expired after maximal inspiration in one breath
Mainly down to increased strength of intercostal muscles
