respiratory system Flashcards
purpose of respiratory system
exchange of resp. gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide)
divided into upper and lower resp. tract
whats included in the upper resp. tract
nasal and oral cavities pharynx tonsils adenoids epiglottis larynx trachea
trachea
aka. windpipe
composed of- smooth muscle, c-shaped rings or cartilage, mucous producing glands, cilia
divides into the right and left bronchus for each lung
functions of trachea
rigid cartilage keeps air passages open
cartilage also serives as armour to protect both trachea and esophagus located posteriorly
mucous membranes release mucus to trap foreign particles before reaching lungs
contains cillia to sweep entrapped material into the pharynx to be coughed or sneezed out, or swallowed
whats included in the lower resp. tract
right and left bronchi
right and left lungs
bronchioles
alveoli
bronchi
two main bronchi branching off ot the trachea- left and right, each leading to a lung
whats the bronchi composed of
smooth muscle, c-shaped rings of cartilage, musuc producing glans, cilia
left bronchus has a sharper bend due to the presence of the heart and major blood vessels underneath it
bronchioles
results from each bronchus dividing and subdividing into smaller branches within the lungs
structured same as bronchi
by the time outside air has reached the end of the bronchioles it is warmed to body temp, filtred and moisturized
alveoli
located at the terminal ends of the bronchoiles
tiny air cells or sacs
resemble tiny bunches of graps
pulmonary capillaries lie adjacent to the thin tissue membranes of the alveoli
function of the alveoli
link betw the resp. and the circulatory systems.
oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged btw the body and the environment through the pulmonary capillaries in the alveoli
lungs
organs of respiration
divided into lobes (3 lobes in the right lung and 2 in the left)
each lung is enclosed separately within 2 membranes
1)visceral pleura- innermost membrane lying next to the llung
2)parietal pleura- outermost membrane, lining the thoracic cavity
mediastinum
space btw the lungs (heart, aorta, esophagus and bronchi)
pleura cavity
located in between lungs, contains lubricating fluid, which permits the visceral pleura to glide smoothly over the parietal pleura during breathing
diaphragm
muscular partition btw the thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity
help expand and contract the lungs, forcing air into and out of them
intercosal muscles assist in the forcing air into and out of the lungs
respiratory pathology
cough (dry or wet), chest pain, breathlessness, cyanosis, fever
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
chronic partial obstruction of air passages
3 major disorders: asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema
symtoms: difficulty breathing on exertion, chronic cough
asthma
due to bronchospasm, onset is sudden, results in difficulty breathing, coughing and wheezing
caused by allergens, stress, cold, exercise
treatment: mucolytics, bronchodilators, steroids
chronic bronchitis
chronic inflammation of bronchi, swelling of the mucosa leads to heavy, wet cough and chest pain
caused by: smoking, air pollution, viruses, bacteria
treatment: expectorants, bronchodilators, oral steroids
emphysema
decreased elasticity of the alveoli. they expand but cant contract
causes by heavy smoking
treatment: orthopnea, bronchodilators, mucolytics, expectorants, steroids
apnea
temporary cessation of breathing during sleep
breathing stops for at least 10 seconds and occurs 30 or more times in a 7 hour sleep period
leads to sleep deprivation
loud snoring and gasping sounds
caused by obstruction of the upper airway, obesity
treatment: mouth appliance, air injector, surgery
tuberculosis
highly communicable, aerosol transmission
symtoms depend n where it is in your body. can infect lungs, bones, genital tract, meninges, and peritoneum
chronic cough, hemoptysis, scanty, whitish or gray yellow sputum, fatigue, low grade fever, night sweats, weakness, chills, anorexia
caused by TB bacteria. which can remain alive outside of body for 6-8 months
treatment is long term, multiple antibiotics for 9-12 months. drug resistance is a huge concern
pneumonia
inflammation of the lungs
chest pain, hemoptysis, mucopurulent sputum
caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, chemicals, food
treatment- antibiotics, supportive therapy including oxygen
influenza
acute respiratory disease
extremely contagious
lasts 7-10 days
fever, chills, headache, loss of appetite
cause- viruses
no treatment, prevention through flu shot
cystic fibrosis
hereditary disorder of the exocrine glands
causes body to secrete viscous mucus that clogs ducts or tubes of the pancreas, digestive tract, air passages and sweat glands
in the lungs, musus blocks airways and impedes natural infection fighting mechanism, which turns the bodys immune system against its own lung tissue
treatment- fatal, 30 year survival rate, gene therapy
lung cancer
most common form is bronchogenic carcinoma which quickly metastasizes to other areas
caused- tobacco use, carcinogenic exposure
treatment- chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
describe the process of respiration
oxygen is taken from air and transported to body cells.
carbon dioxide and water are returned to the environment
4 processes for respiration
1) ventilation- breathing (large involuntary movement of air into and out of lungs.
in response to changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in blood, and also in response to nervous stimulation of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles
2) external respiration- exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide btw the alveoli and the blood in the pulmonary capillaries
3) gas transport- respiratory gases transported through the body by blood in the cardiovascular system
4) interval respiration-exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide btw tissue cells and the blood in systemic capillaries.
