Respiratory System

Question 1

Systemic Gas Exchange

Answer 1

The unloading of O2 and loading of CO2 at the systemic capillaries
O2 is unloaded
CO2 is loaded

Question 2

What is the typical partial pressures of O2 and CO2 in the systemic capillaries AND in the respiring tissues?

Answer 2

•In systemic capillaries: O2 is 95 mm Hg ~CO2 is 40 mm Hg

•In respiring tissues: O2 is 40 mm Hg
CO2 is 46 mm Hg

*notice that pressure is much lower in the respiring tissues for both O2 and CO2!

Question 3

What is Venous reserve?

Answer 3

The oxygen remaining in the venous blood after it passes through the capillary beds.

Question 4

What is the most potent chemical stimulus that influences breathing?

Answer 4

pH is the most potent stimulus. But also CO2 because it controls pH.

Question 5

What is the normal range of blood pH?

Answer 5

Normal blood pH is 7.3-7.4

Question 6

What is respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 6

When arterial pH blood is higher than 7.4

Caused by Hypocapnia: when PCO2 is less than the normal

Question 7

What is respiratory acidosis?

Answer 7

When arterial blood pH is lower than 7.3

Caused by Hypercapnia-when blood PCO2 is higher than normal

Question 8

Define obstructive disorder

Answer 8

Characterized by narrowing of the bronchioles and the airway obstruction increases resistance

Examples: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Question 9

Define respiratory restrictive disorder

Answer 9

Characterized by reduced total lung capacity which leads to loss of elasticity and lung expansion is limited

Examples: black lung, tuberculosis, pneumonia and pulmonary edema

Question 10

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ?

What are some common causes?

Answer 10

Refers to any disorder in which there is a long term obstruction of airflow that interferes with normal breathing.

Common causes: smoking, air pollution, exposure to chemicals

Question 11

What gives the facial part of the nose its shape?

Answer 11

Bone and hyaline cartilage gives the nose its shape

Question 12

What are the 3 main functions of the nose?

Answer 12

To warm, moisten and filter air

Question 13

What is the function of the nasal conchae?

Answer 13

To disrupt the airflow, directing air towards the olfactory and respiratory epithelium.
Also enables nose to cleanse, warm and humidify air better.

Question 14

What is the function of the olfactory epithelium?

Answer 14

Sensory cells that detect odors

Question 15

What are the 3 regions of the pharynx?

Answer 15

1. Nasopharynx-has contact with air only

2. Oropharynx & 3.Laryngopharynx -both have contact with air, food, and drink

Question 16

What are the 2 main functions of the larynx (voice box) ?

Answer 16

To keep food and drink out of the airway and also sound production (voice)

Question 17

What are the 3 types of cartilage that are part of the larynx?

Answer 17

1. Epiglottis cartilage-flexible los of the larynx
2. Thyroid cartilage- largest, shield-shaped
3. Cricoid cartilage- connects larynx to trachea, ring like in shape

Question 18

Which type of cartilage is the Adam’s apple part of?

Answer 18

The Adam’s apple is part of the thyroid cartilage

Question 19

What is the epiglottis and its function?

Answer 19

A flap of cartilage that guards the superior opening of the larynx (lid).
During swallowing it closes airway and directs food to the esophagus

Question 20

What supports the trachea and prevents it from collapsing?

Answer 20

C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage

Question 21

Are the lungs symmetrical? Why or why not?

Answer 21

The lungs are NOT symmetrical

• Right lung: shorter, has 3 lobes
• Left lung: taller, 2 lobes, has an indentation (cardiac impression)

Question 22

Approximately, how many alveoli are there in each lung?

Answer 22

Approximately 150 million alveoli in each lung

Question 23

What are the 3 types of alveoli cells?

Answer 23

1. Squamous alveolar cells- 95% of alveolar surface area
2. Great alveolar cells-cover remaining 5% of surface
3. Alveolar macrophages-dust cells