Respiratory System

Question 1

4 processes that make up respiration?

Answer 1

Pulmonary ventilation - air in and out of lungs
External respiration - exchange of gas and blood
Respiratory gas transport - movement of oxygen from lungs to body
Internal respiration - gas exchange between blood and cells

Question 2

Functional divisions of the respiratory system?

Answer 2

Conduction zone - space that carries air to site of gas exchange
Respiratory zone - site of gas exchange (respiratory bronchioles and smaller)

Question 3

Anatomical divisions of the respiratory system?

Answer 3

Upper respiratory tract (nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx)
Lower respiratory tract (trachea, bronchial tree, lungs)

Question 4

Roof and floor of nasal cavity?

Answer 4

Roof = ethmoid and sphenoid bones
Floor = hard and soft palate

Question 5

Mucosa membranes in nasal cavity?

Answer 5

Olfactory mucosa (receptors for smell)
Respiratory mucosa (epithelium with goblet cells, functions to trap inhaled debris and moisten)

Question 6

What happens to air travelling through the nasal conchae?

Answer 6

Inhalation = filter, heat and moisten air (cools conchae)
Exhalation = cool conchae take out moisture and extract heat back from air (heats conchae)

Question 7

Sections of the pharynx?

Answer 7

Nasopharynx - only air, pseudo-stratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Oropharynx - food, air and water; stratified squamous epithelium
Laryngopharnx - food, air and water; stratified squamous epithelium

Question 8

Functions of the larynx?

Answer 8

Vocalisation
Provides an open airway
Routes air and food into proper channels

Question 9

Cartilages of the larynx?

Answer 9

Thyroid
Cricoid
Arytenoid (2)
Corniculate (2)
Cuneiform (2)
Epiglottis (keeps food out)

Question 10

Functions of trachea?

Answer 10

Filter, warm, humidify air

Question 11

Function of trachealis muscle?

Answer 11

Contraction decreases trachea diameter

Question 12

Location that trachea branches?

Answer 12

T4-T7

Question 13

Changes that occur as conducting tubes become smaller?

Answer 13

Cartilage is replaced with smooth muscle and elastic connective tissue (no cartilage in bronchioles)
Epithelium transition to simple columnar and then to simple cuboidal (for gas exchange)
No mucous or cilia in small bronchioles

Question 14

What is surfactant?

Answer 14

Detergent-like substance that reduces the surface tension within the alveoli. Without surfactant, the inner walls of the alveoli would stick together during exhalation

Question 15

Difference between right and left lungs?

Answer 15

Left is smaller, has 2 secondary bronchi, has 2 lobes and cardiac notch
Right is larger, primary bronchi more vertical, has 3 secondary bronchi, has 3 lobes

Question 16

Type 1 vs 2 alveolar cells?

Answer 16

Type 1 have basal lamina and capillary network (site of external respiration)
Type 2 produce surfactant

Question 17

Pulmonary vs bronchial circulation?

Answer 17

Pulmonary conducts blood for gas exchange

Bronchial supplies the bronchi and bronchioles with oxygen

Question 18

Innervation of the respiratory system?

Answer 18

Parasympathetic = bronchoconstriction, vagus nerve
Sympathetic = bronchodilation, spinal nerves T1-T5

Question 19

What is the pleurae?

Answer 19

Serous membrane that covers outer lung surface and the thoracic wall (parietal and visceral layers)
Pleural cavity between layers
Membranes produce pleural fluid which keeps the lungs stuck to the ribs

Question 20

What is pneumothorax?

Answer 20

When air breaks the seal of the pleural fluid - lung collapses

Question 21

Explain Boyle’s law

Answer 21

The pressure of a gas decreases if the volume of the container increases and vic versa

Question 22

Muscles involved in breathing?

Answer 22

Normal inspiration (eupnea)

• diaphragmatic breathing (deep breathing) = diaphragm
• costal breathing (shallow breathing) = external intercostals

Deep or forced inspiration (hypernea) = SCM, scalenes, pec minor, quadratus lumborum

Normal expiration = passive

Deep or force expiration = internal and external obliques, transversus abdominus, internal intercostals and latissimus dorsi

Question 23

What is bronchial asthma?

Answer 23

Allergic inflammatory response causes bronchoconstriction

Question 24

What is cystic fibrosis?

Answer 24

Accumulation of mucous, clogs respiratory system and causes bacterial infections

Question 25

What is chronic bronchitis?

Answer 25

Inhaled irritants leads to excess mucous, inflammation and fibrosis - impairing ventilation and gas exchange

Question 26

What is emphysema?

Answer 26

Permanent enlargement of alveoli due to lysosomes destroying alveolar walls (elastin); lungs become less elastic

Question 27

Full passageway of air?

Answer 27

Respiratory zone of the nasal cavity –> nasopharynx –> oropharynx –> laryngopharynx –> larynx –> trachea –> primary bronchi –> secondary bronchi –> tertiary bronchi –> bronchioles –> terminal bronchioles –> respiratory bronchioles –> alveolar duct –> alveoli