Respiratory System Flashcards by Lucy Cesana

What are the major organs of the respiratory system?

Nasal cavities
Sinuses
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
Lungs
Alveoli

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What is the function of the respiratory system?

Ventilation (air movement)
Gas exchange between air and blood
Produce sounds for communication
Facilitate odor detection

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What is the respiratory tract?

Passageways that carry air
to and from the exchange
surfaces of the lungs

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What are the key structures in the upper respiratory system?

Nose
Nasal cavity
Sinuses
Pharynx

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What are the function of the structures in the upper respiratory system?

Filter, warm, and humidify incoming air to
protect surfaces of lower respiratory system
Reabsorb heat and water from outgoing air

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What are the key structures in the lower respiratory system?

Larynx
Trachea
Bronchus
Bronchioles
Alveoli

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What is the function of the larynx and trachea?

Sound production (glottis) and
preventing food from entering trachea (epiglottis)

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What is the function of the bronchus and bronchioles?

Airflow to alveoli

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What is the function of the alveoli?

Provides large surface area for gas exchange

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What happens to the bronchi/bronchioles in the sympathetic NS?

Bronchodilation- high air flow to lungs

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What happens to the bronchi/bronchioles in the parasympathetic NS?

Bronchoconstriction- low airflow to lungs

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What cells line the exposed surfaces of the respiratory system?

Psuedostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Mucous cells
Stratified squamous epithelium
Type I pneumocyte
Type II pneumocyte
Alveolar macrophage

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What are the characteristics that make alveoli well suited to gas exchange?

-Alveoli are well suited to gas exchange because they have a large surface area
and there is a very short distance between the air and blood

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What is the function of psuedostratified ciliated columnar epithelium?

Protection and mucous removal

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What is the function of mucous cells?

Mucous secretion

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What is the function of stratified squamous epithelium

Protection (from food)

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What is the function of type I pneumocyte?

Gas exchange

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What is the function of type ii pneumocyte?

Surfactant secretion

What is the function of alveolar macrophage?

Engulf and destroy particles

How does the respiratory system defend itself against pathogens and particles?

1) Filter, warm and humidify air incoming air to protect surfaces of lower respiratory system
2) Mucous escalator: protection, secretion and mucus removal
3) Alveolar macrophage: engulf and destroy particles and pathogens

What is external respiration?

Exchange of O2 and CO2 between air and interstitial fluid

O2 air –> interstitial fluid
CO2 interstitial fluid –> air
3 steps: pulmonary ventilation, gas diffusion, transport

What is internal respiration?

Exchange of O2 and CO2 between interstitial fluid and cells

O2 interstitial fluid –> cells
CO2 cells –> interstitial fluid

What is the role of the partial pressure of O2 and CO2 in pulmonary ventilation?

The pressure of a gas within lungs can change by changing the volume of the lungs
-↑ lung volume (i.e. breath in) = ↓ air pressure in lung, air flows from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure, air flows into the lungs
-↑ lung volume (i.e. breath in) =
↓ air pressure in lung, air flows from an area of high pressure
to an area of low pressure, air flows into the lungs

How do we change lung volume?

Movement of the diaphragm and rib cage

Breathe in: volume increases, pressure inside becomes less than outside, air flows into lungs
Breathe out: volume decreases, pressure inside becomes greater than outside, air flows out lungs

How does air flow into the lungs?

``` -Contraction of diaphragm and inspiratory muscles -Elevates rib cage -↑ volume of thoracic cavity -↓ pressure in thoracic cavity -Air flows into lungs ```

How does air flow out of the lungs?

``` -Diaphragm and inspiratory muscles relax and rib cage returns to normal position -↓ volume of thoracic cavity -↑ pressure in thoracic cavity -Air flows out of lungs ```

What is the definition of respiratory rate?

Number of breaths per minute

What is the definition of tidal volume?

Amount of air you move into or out of your lungs during a single respiratory cycle

What is the definition of total lung capacity?

Total volume of your lungs

What is the definition of vital capacity?

Maximum amount of air that you can move into or out of your lungs in a single respiratory cycle

What is the definition of functional residual capacity?

Amount of air that remains in your lungs after completing a quiet breathing cycle

What is the definition of residual volume?

Amount of air that remains in your lungs even after maximal exhalation

Describe partial pressure?

The pressure contributed by a single gas in a mixture of gases - High (P) = many gas molecules in the solution - Low (P)= few gas molecules in the solution

Describe process of O2 transportation

Bound to haemoglobin (Hb) in red blood cells

Describe process of CO2 transportation

- As bicarbonate ions (HCO3, 70%) - Bound to haemoglobin (Hb) in red blood cells - Dissolved in plasma

Describe how the nervous system controls the depth and rate of respiration

Voluntary: involves motor areas of the cerebral cortex Involuntary: involves respiratory centres in the brain stem

Describe the processes involved in alveolar function

O2 -Blood in alveolar capillaries is directed towards pulmonary lobules that have a high partial pressure of O2 -Constriction of alveolar capillaries that have a low partial pressure of O2 CO2 - Airflow is directed to pulmonary lobules with a high partial pressure of CO2 -Smooth muscle in the bronchioles is sensitive to the partial pressure of CO2

How does the medulla oblongata, pons and hypothalamus control respiration?

- Medulla oblongata: set respiratory rate - Pons: adjust output of respiratory rhythm centres and depths of respiration in response to sensory stimuli - Hypothalamus: controls autonomic NS

How does sensory information can trigger changes in respiratory rate?

``` -Sensory information can trigger changes in respiratory rate Sensory receptors respond to: -Mechanical stimuli -Chemical stimuli -Central chemoreceptors -Peripheral chemoreceptors ```

What is the function of mechanical: stretch receptors?

-Respond to: high lung volume -Located in: smooth muscle -Results in: decreased respiratory rate/lung volume -Prevent excessive inflation of the lung

What is the function of chemical: irritant receptors?

- Respond to: irritants - Located in: epithelium of airways - Results in: cough/sneeze - Remove irritant and protect gas exchange surfaces

What is the function of chemical: central chemoreceptors?

-Respond to: low pH of cerebrospinal fluid -Located in: brain stem -Results in: high respiratory rate/deeper breaths -Exhale (remove) excess CO2

What is the function of chemical: peripheral chemoreceptors?

- Respond to: low partial pressure of CO2 - Located in: aortic and carotid bodies - Results in: high respiratory rate - Inhale more O2 and exhale (remove) excess CO2