Respiratory System Flashcards
list the 5 functions of the respiratory system
- delivering oxygen
- removing carbon dioxide
- regulation of pH of body fluids
- temperature control
- phonation-voice
(1 and 2 are gas exchange)
list the 5 organs in the upper respiratory tract
- nares
- nasal cavity
- paranasal sinuses
- pharynx
- larynx
list the function and tissue type of the nares
external openings (nostrils), hyaline cartilage, flexibility depends on species
list the location and tissue types for function of the nasal cavity
sits above mouth, soft and hard palate barrier, lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium, contains sensory epithelium for olfaction
give the location of and describe the paranasal sinuses
air-filled cavities within bones of skull, sinus function unknown
describe the pharynx, give its accessory organ and its tissue type
common passageway for food and air, contains the epiglottis, which is composed of elastic cartilage
describe the larynx and what it contains
the gatekeeper to the trachea, location of the vocal chords –> “organs of phonation”
list the 8 structures of the lower respiratory tract
- trachea
- bronchi
- bronchioles
- lungs
- alveoli
- pleura
- hilus
- mediastinum
describe the trachea, including the two tissue types
contains C-shaped hyaline cartilage rings, lined with ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium
describe the bronchi, including the two tissue types
left and right branches of trachea, like a smaller trachea, also lined with ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium and with C-shaped hyaline cartilage rings
describe the bronchi, including the two tissue types and location
branches from bronchi, also lined with ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium and with C-shaped hyaline cartilage rings, found within the lungs
describe the lungs, including what happens there
paired lobular structures where gas exchange occurs
describe the alveoli, including the tissue type
site of gas exchange in the lungs, where bronchioles terminate, hollow balls lined with simple squamous epithelium
describe the pleura
membranes that line/surround the lungs
list and describe both types of pleura
- visceral pleura: closely lines outside of lungs
2. parietal pleura: surrounds thoracic cavity
describe the hilus
indentation on each lung where bronchus, blood vessels, and nerves enter and leave lungs
describe the mediastinum
location where the double layers of pleura meet
what is located in the mediastinum?
heart, esophagus, blood vessels
what is ventilation?
the process by which air moves into and out of lungs
list and describe the two aspects of ventilation
- inspiration: movement of air through upper respiratory tract and into lungs, involves flattening (contraction) of diaphragm
- expiration: movement of air from lungs through upper respiratory tract, involves relaxation of diaphragm
what is the respiratory cycle?
one inspiration and one expiration
what is respiratory frequency?
the number of respiratory cycles per minute
list and describe the 2 types of breathing
- abdominal: characterized by movements of the abdomen, “normal”
- costal: characterized by movement of ribs, indicates pain in abdominal region
list the 7 types of breathing variations
- eupnea
- dyspnea
- hyperpnea
- polypnea
- apnea
- tachypnea
- bradypnea
describe eupnea
normal breathing
describe dyspnea
difficult breathing, requires effort, obvious discomfort
describe hyperpnea
breathing with increased depth and frequency, visible after physical exertion, exercise
describe polypnea
rapid, shallow breathing, increased frequency, decreased depth = not much air
describe apnea
cessation of breath, think sleep apnea
describe tachypnea
excessive rapidity of breath, normal depth, increased frequency
describe bradypnea
abnormal slowness of breath, decreased frequency
list the 4 lung volumes
- tidal volume
- inspiratory reserve volume
- expiratory reserve volume
- residual volume
describe tidal volume
amount of air breathed in or out during a respiratory cycle
describe inspiratory reserve volume
amount of air that can still be inspired after inhaling tidal volume
describe expiratory reserve volume
amount of air that can still be expired after exhaling tidal volume
describe residual volume
amount of air that remains in lungs after most forceful exhalation, will always be left in lungs
what is a lung capacity?
sum of 2 or more lung volumes
list the 4 lung capacities
- total lung capacity
- vital capacity
- inspiratory capacity
- functional residual capacity
describe total lung capacity and tell what is it the sum of
total amount of air lungs can hold, sum of all volumes
describe vital capacity and tell what it is the sum of
amount of air in lungs that can change during a breath, sum of all volumes above the residual volume
describe inspiratory capacity, and tell what it is the sum of
amount of air that can be inhaled, sum of tidal volume and inspiratory reserve volume
describe functional residual capacity and tell what it is the sum of
total amount of air below tidal volume, sum of expiratory reserve volume and residual volume
describe breath sounds
normal, any sound that accompanies air as it passes through the trachiobronchal tree
describe adventitious sounds
abnormal sounds on top of the breath sounds
list and describe the 2 adventitious sounds
- crackles: indicates fluid in airways
2. wheezes: indicates narrowing of airways
what is the primary respiratory function?
gas exchange
where does gas exchange occur?
at the alveoli
describe the structure of the alveoli as it relates to gas exchange and capillaries
lined with THIN simple squamous epithelium, at the thinnest portion of the alveolus, the simple squamous epithelium is attached to a basement membrane that is then attached to the simple squamous epithelium of underlying capillaries
describe the process of gas exchange between the capillaries and alveoli
- capillaries contain blood coming from right side of heat with a high concentration of CO2
- alveolus contains air that was inspired that has a high concentration of O2
- CO2 will move into alveolus, and O2 will move into capillary to establish equilibrium between the concentrations of gases
- capillary carries oxygenated blood to left side of heart and air in alveolus containing CO2 will be expired
how is respiration regulated?
there are sensors in the aorta that sense O2 levels in blood, and if O2 levels are low, signals will be sent to respiratory centers in the brain to increase respiration frequency in an attempt to get more O2 into blood
is breathing voluntary or involuntary?
voluntary, but reflexive
