Respiratory System

Question 1

What are the main functions of the resipratory system

Answer 1

To draw in O2 from the atmosphere and transfer it to blood
Ventilate the lungs
Excrete water vapour and CO2

Question 2

What part of the brain controls respiration

Answer 2

The respiratory center in the medulla obolngata

Question 3

What is external respiration

Answer 3

The exchange of gases across a semi permeable membrane between the alveoli and the blood in the alveolar capillaries

Question 4

List the 3 sections of the Pharynx

Answer 4

Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx

Question 5

What is the medical term for the wind pipe

Answer 5

Trachea

Question 6

What is the first organ of the respiratory system

Answer 6

Nose

Question 7

Air is a mixture of gases, list what air is composed of

Answer 7

21% O2
78% Nitrogen
0.04% CO2
Water Vapour

Question 8

What is the average respiratory rate for an adult? ( above 12 years old)

Answer 8

12 - 20 breaths per minute

Question 9

What are sinuses and where are they found

Answer 9

The sinuses are a series of connected cavities like air pockets in the skull that are usually empty other than a thin layer of mucous.

Question 10

Describe the anatomy and function of the epiglottis

Answer 10

The epiglottis is a large piece of elastic cartilage that protects the airway from food and other foreign objects. It is leaf shaped and attached to the anterior thyroid of the Larynx.

Question 11

Describe the anatomy and function of the epiglottis

Answer 11

The epiglottis is a large piece of elastic cartilage that protects the airway from food and other foreign objects. It is leaf shaped and attached to the anterior thyroid of the Larynx.

Question 12

How do we work out the total partial pressure of gas?

Answer 12

The pressure of a specific gas in a mixture = the partial pressure

Question 13

What is the space between vocal cords called?

Answer 13

The glottis

Question 14

How does the nose achieve its 3 main functions?

Answer 14

It has ridges and folds to increase the surface area to warm the air. Mucous covers the inside to trap airborn particles and humidify the air. the hairs in the nostrils act as filters for large particles passing into the nasal cavity.

Question 15

Describe the 3 functions of the Pharynx

Answer 15

Acts as a passageway for air and food.
It is a resonating chamber for speech sounds.
Houses the tonsils which participate in immunological reactions against foreign bodies.

Question 16

What are the alveoli surrounded by?

Answer 16

A capillary network

Question 17

What is the name of the membrane that lines the outside of the lung?

Answer 17

The pluera

Question 18

How many tonsils do we have

Answer 18

two

Question 19

What is the name of the bone that anchors the tongue

Answer 19

The hyoid bone

Question 20

What structure sits in between the Pharynx and the Trachea?

Answer 20

The epigolttis

Question 21

What is the main function of the epiglottis

Answer 21

To protect the trachea from food and water entering

Question 22

How long is the Pharynx

Answer 22

12-14cm

Question 23

What is the trachea surrounded by and why?

Answer 23

C shaped rings of cartilage to allow for expansion and to ensure it does not collapse under changes of air pressure

Question 24

Where does the Trachea terminate?

Answer 24

at the Carina at the T5 level

Question 25

Describe the difference in structure to the right and left bronchi?

Answer 25

The right primary bronchus is more vertical, shorter and wider than the left.
an aspirated object is more liable to enter the right bronchus.
The right side subdivides into 3 secondary bronchi whereas the left only splits in two.

Question 26

Describe how the bronchi progressively subdivide including the changes in structure and the linings

Answer 26

Bronchi split into secondary bronchui - tertiary bronchi- bronchioles - terminal bronchioles.
As bronchioles divide the structure changes, The larger airways have rigid cartilage and this gradually decreases in quantity as they divide and is replaced by smooth muscle to allow for more gaseous exchange and allows diameter to increase/decrease. Ciliated epithelium is gradually replaced by non- ciliated epithelium

Question 27

What 3 structures make up a lobule?

Answer 27

Terminal bronchioles
Alveolar duct
Alveoli

Question 28

Define the term minute volume

Answer 28

Minute volume = Tidal volume multiplied by the breathing rate per minute. e.g 500ml x 15bpm = 7.5L

Question 29

What cells line the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea and primary bronchi?

Answer 29

ciliated epilthelium

Question 30

What cells line the oropharynx and laryngopharynx and why?

Answer 30

Stratified squamous epithelium protect underlying structures from harm

Question 31

List the 3 cartilages found in the structure of the epiglottis

Answer 31

Thyroid

Question 32

Describe how the left and right lung differ

Answer 32

The Left lung has only two lobes and a smaller volume, the left bronchus is more of a right angle and shorter.
The right lung has three lobes and a larger volume, the right bronchus is straighter and thicker.

Question 33

What is the name of the space between the lungs and thoracic cage called? what does it contain and why?

Answer 33

the plural cavity contains a small amount of serous fluid to allow the lung sac to move freely over the thoracic cage when breathing is occuring.

Question 34

What is internal respiration?

Answer 34

The movement on O2 by diffusion from blood to the tissue cells around the body and CO2 by diffusiion from cells to the blood

Question 35

Describe the movement of the diaphragm during ventilation

Answer 35

When inspiring air the diaphragm contrancts and moves down drawing the base of the lungs down and decreasing the pressure inside, drawing in air. When expiring the diaphragm relaxes and returns upward allowing air to flow back out of the lungs.

Question 36

What is the name given to the air left in the air passages and what is the amount?

Answer 36

Anatomiocal dead space - 150ml

Question 37

What muscles can aid in the movement of the rib cage during inspiration and expiration?

Answer 37

Intercostle muscles

Question 38

How long is the Larynx?

Answer 38

5-6cm