Respiratory system Flashcards
In what direction are the palatine tonsils located in the oropharynx?
Laterally
What structure forms the floor of the nasal cavity?
The palate
What are two benefits of the division created by the pleurae?
Prevents the spread of infection, and prevents movement interference between major organs
What passes through the laryngopharynx?
Air and food
Reflexes like coughing and the ability of the lungs to regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels is due to what system?
The autonomic nervous system
The pharynx is continuous with what structures?
Nasal cavities
Which type of alveolar cell is highly permeable to gases?
Type I alveolar cell (pneumocyte)
How many layers in the pleura?
Two
An alveolar duct originates from what structure?
A respiratory bronchiole
Name some non-vital functions of the respiratory system (three possible answers)
Sensing odours, speech production, and straining (such as during childbirth or when coughing)
What structure branches from bronchioles?
Terminal bronchioles
Which alveolar cell roams the alveolar wall?
The alveolar macrophage, a phagocytic cell that removes debris and pathogens that reach the alveoli
What is the approximate diameter of a bronchiole?
1mm
Name the structure: hollow, air-filled spaces within certain bones of the skull
Paranasal sinuses
What type of epithelium lines the primary bronchi?
Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium containing goblet cells
How many terminal bronchioles are in each lung?
Over 1000
Each lateral wall of the nasal cavity has three ____ ____ known as nasal conchae
Bony projections
What is the anterior laryngeal prominence?
An anterior projection of cartilage often called the ‘Adam’s apple’
What is the main function of the bronchi?
To act as conducting zone structures, providing a passageway for air to move into and out of each lung (as well as the mucous membrane trapping debris and pathogens)
What is the function of the ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium containing goblet cells?
To produce mucous to trap debris and pathgens as they enter the trachea
What is the pharynx formed of?
Skeletal muscle and mucous membrane
What is the effect of the adhesive characteristic of the pleural fluid?
It causes the lungs to enlarge when the thoracic wall expands during ventilation, allowing the lungs to fill with air
What is a type I alveolar cell?
A squamous epithelial cell of the alveoli, ~25nm thick, highly permeable to gases
The frontal sinus is located within the ____ ____
Frontal bone (just superior to the eyebrows)
The trachea branches into what two structures?
The left and right primary bronchi
The anterior region of the nasal cavity is composed of ____
Bone
Where do pulmonary veins exit the lungs?
Through the hilum
The ____ lung is shorter and wider than the ____, and the ____ lung occupies a smaller volume than the ____.
Right; left; left; right
What happens to the epithelium as the nasopharynx becomes the oropharynx?
The epithelium changes from pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium
The lungs are enclosed by what membranous structure?
Pleurae
How many major cell types are in the alveolar wall?
Three
The pulmonary artery branches multiple times as it follows the ____
Bronchi
Innervation of the respiratory system by sympathetic and parasympathetic systems provides an important level of control through ____ and ____
Dilation; constriction
What happens to mucous in the larynx?
Cilia beat the mucous upward toward the laryngopharynx where it can be swallowed down the oesophagus
What type of epithelium lines the laryngopharynx?
Stratified squamous epithelium
What are the two major functions of the pleurae?
To produce pleural fluid, and create cavities that separate the major organs in the thoracic cavity
Each lateral wall of the nasal cavity has three bony projections known as ____ ____
Nasal conchae
Asthma, emphysema, COPD, and lung cancer all affect the process of ____ ____
Gas exchange
What does parasympathetic innervation of the lungs allow?
Bronchoconstriction
What are the major functions of the conducting zone of the respiratory system?
To provide a route for incoming and outgoing air, remove debris and pathogens from incoming air, and to warm and humidify the incoming air
Which is closest to the lungs, the visceral or parietal pleura?
Visceral
What is the main purpose of the lungs?
Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with air from the atmosphere
What are the three primary functions of the major organs of the respiratory system?
Provide oxygen to body tissues for cellular respiration, remove waste product carbon dioxide, and help maintain acid-base balance
What type of epithelium lines the trachea?
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Is there cartilage in the walls of the bronchioles?
No, the walls of the bronchi are muscular
The pharynx is divided into how many major regions?
Three
The major entrance and exit for the respiratory system is through the ____
Nose
Type I alveolar cells form what type of epithelium?
Simple squamous epithelium
What occurs at the hilum?
The primary bronchi and arteries enter the lungs and the pulmonary veins exit the lungs
An alveolar duct opens into what structure?
A cluster of alveoli
What covers the posterior surface of the trachea?
A flexible membrane formed of muscle and connective tissue
What does sympathetic innervation of the lungs allow?
Bronchodilation
What can slow the movement of respiratory cilia?
Cold air
What are the functions of nasal sinuses?
They serve to reduce bone mass and so lighten the skull, and add resonance to the voice
Each lateral wall of the nasal cavity has ____ bony projections known as nasal conchae
Three
What prevents the trachea from collapsing?
A muscle and connective tissue membrane on the posterior surface
The respiratory capillary wall meets the alveolar wall, creating the ____ ____
Respiratory membrane
The accumulation of ____ ____ drives the need to breathe
Carbon dioxide
Name the fissure that separates the left superior and inferior lobes
Oblique fissure
Between each nasal concha is a passageway called a ____ ____
Nasal meatus
All sinuses are lined with ____ ____
Respiratory mucosa
The superior portion of the larynx is lined with what type of epithelium?
Stratified simple squamous epithelium
What comprises the external nose?
The paired nasal bones and the protruding portion of the nose composed of hyaline cartilage
What structures does the parietal pleura connect to?
The thoracic wall, mediastinum, and thoracic diaphragm
The anterior region of the nasal cavity is what structure?
The hard palate
Name the regions of the pharynx
Nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx
What is located immediately superior to the oropharynx?
The nasopharynx
What occurs at the inferior end of the laryngopharynx?
The digestive and respiratory systems diverge
How are the paranasal sinuses named?
They are named for the skull bone that each sinus occupies
What structures comprise the conducting zone of the respiratory system?
Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchial tree
How many lobes in the right lung?
Three - the superior, middle and inferior lobes
Capillaries just beneath the ____ ____ warm entering air by convection
Nasal epithelium
What is the function of the palatine tonsils?
To trap and destroy pathogens entering through the oral cavity
Where does the respiratory zone begin?
Where the terminal bronchioles join a respiratory bronchiole
In which respiratory functional zone does gas exchange occur?
The respiratory zone
What is located immediately anterior to the laryngopharynx?
The larynx
What are the names of the lobes of the right lung?
Superior, middle, and inferior
The bronchial epithelium lining the lungs is capable of what function?
Metabolise some airborne carcinogens
What is the purpose of the muscle and connective tissue membrane of the trachea?
To provide structural support to the c-shaped cartilages and prevent the trachea from collapsing
In the respiratory system there is at least one horizontal fissure and at least one oblique fissure. Of which are there two?
Oblique fissures
One lung is horter and wider than the other - which is it?
The right lung
What is the largest piece of cartilage in the larynx?
The thyroid cartilage
What separates the right and left pleurae?
The mediastinum
Name the fissure that separates the right middle and inferior lobes
Oblique fissure
Each lung is enclosed in a cavity that is surrounded by the ____
Pleura
On which side does the oesophagus border the trachea?
The posterior side
What occurs to the bronchi after entering the hilum?
They divide into secondary (lobar) bronchi
By what process does the respiratory membrane allow gas exchange?
Simple diffusion, allowing oxygen to be picked up by the blood and carbon dioxide to be released into the air of the alveoli
The stratified simple squamous epithelium in the superior portion larynx transitions to what type of epithelium?
Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium that contains goblet cells
All paranasal sinuses communicate with the ____ ____
Nasal cavity
Nasal conchae, meatuses, and paranasal sinuses are lined with what type of respiratory epithelium?
Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium
What is the respiratory membrane?
Where the wall of a
respiratory capillary meets the wall of an alveolus
What is between each nasal concha?
A passageway called a nasal meatus
What kind of epithelium lines the secondary and tertiary bronchi?
Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium
The lungs are connected to the trachea by which structures?
The left and right bronchi
What is located immediately posterior to the larynx?
The laryngopharynx
What is the approximate epithelial surface area of the lungs for gas exchange?
~70 square metres
Swallowing causes the pharynx and larynx to do what?
Lift upward
What is the pleural cavity?
The space between the visceral and parietal layers of pleurae
The laryngopharynx posteriorly enters what structure?
The oesophagus
The cilia of respiratory epithelium help remove mucous and debris from the nasal cavity with a constant beating motion that sweeps materials where?
Towards the pharynx to be swallowed and destroyed by digestive enzymes and acids
Are sinuses divided at the midline into bilateral spaces, or fused into a single sinus space?
Both are possible, the space is irregular and may be one or the other
The posterior region of the nasal cavity is composed of ____ ____
Muscle tissue
What is the name of the tube formed by skeletal muscle and lined by mucous membrane that is continuous with the nasal cavities?
The pharynx
The nasal septum is formed posteriorly by bone and is known as the ____ ____ ____
Osseous nasal septum
Capillaries just beneath the nasal epithelium warm entering air by ____
Convection
The nasal bones articulate ____ (direction) with the ____ ____ (structure)
Superiorly; frontal bone
What is the purpose of the nasal conchae disrupting the flow of air entering the nose?
The air bounces along the epithelium where is it cleaned and warmed
The structure of the larynx is formed by several pieces of ____
Cartilage
The nasopharynx is bounded laterally by what structure?
The conchae of the nasal cavity
The trachea bifurcates into the ____ ____
Primary bronchi
The ____ ____ arises from the pulmonary trunk of the heart and carries deoxygenated blood to the alveoli
Pulmonary artery
What is the purpose of type II alveolar cells?
To secrete pulmonary surfactant, a lubricant to reduce the surface tension of the alveoli
The alveolar epithelium and endothelial membrane of capillaries together form what structure?
Respiratory membrane
Approximately how thick is the respiratory membrane?
0.5mm
What is the result of the epiglottis closing over the trachea when swallowing?
It produces a larger area for food to pass through while preventing food/beverages entering the trachea
What happens to the sinuses when a person has a cold/sinus congestion?
Swelling of the mucosa and excess mucous production can obstruct the passageways between sinuses and nasal cavity, altering the sound of the voice. The blockage can also allow the sinuses to fill with fluid, and the resulting pressure causes pain and discomfort
Where does the blood from the respiratory capillies go once it’s oxygenated?
It drains from the alveoli via pulmonary veins
Name the fissure that separates the right superior and middle lobes of the lung
Horizontal fissure
Where is the visceral pleura?
Superficial to the lungs, extending into and lining the lung fissues
What borders the inferior surface of the lungs?
The thoracic diaphragm
What is a nasal meatus?
A passageway between nasal conchae
What supports the primary bronchi?
Rings of cartilage, similar to those of the trachea
Each lung is composed of smaller units called ____
Lobes
What is the functions of the moist epithelium in the nose, particularly in cold weather?
To warm and humidify incoming air
The respiratory system is innervated by both the ____ and ____ nervous systems
Sympathetic; parasympathetic
What is the function of nasal conchae?
They increase the surface area of the nasal cavity and disrupt the flow of air as it enters the nose
The nasal septum is formed anteriorly by what structure?
Septal cartilage
What occurs across the respiratory membrane?
Gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide across the membrane with the erythrocytes in the capillaries
Approximately how wide is an alveolus?
200μm
How many stacked pieces of cartilage form the trachea?
16 - 20
The larynx is a ____ (tissue) structure
Cartilagenous
The larynx is ____ (direction) to and extends ____ (direction) past the laryngopharynx
Anterior; inferiorly
Pulmonary veins exit the lungs through the ____
Hilum
The nasopharynx serves only as an ____
Airway
Name the three types of cells in the alveolar wall
Type I alveolar cell - pneumocyte
Type II alveolar cell - pneumocyte
Alveolar macrophages
Trachea cartilage is C-shaped; which surface is not covered by cartilage, anterior or posterior?
Posterior
The laryngopharynx opens anteriorly to what structure?
The larynx
How many lobes are in the left lung?
Two - the superior and inferior lobes
What is the simple squamous epithelium of alveolar type I cells attached to?
A thin, elastic basement membrane
The primary bronchi enter the lungs at what location?
The hilum
The pseudostratified columnar epithelium of the trachea is continuous with the ____
Larynx
In swallowing, what does the lifting of the pharynx and larynx allow?
It allows the pharynx to expand and the epiglottis of the larynx to swing downward to close the opening to the trachea
The epithlium of the nasal passages is essential to what function?
Sensing odours
What is the effect of cold air slowing the movement of respiratory cilia?
Accumulation of mucous that may lead to a running nose in cold weather
What is the function of the larynx?
To regulate the volume of air that enters and leaves the lungs
What structures comprise the respiratory zone of the respiratory system?
Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli
What is the purpose of the muscular wall of bronchioles?
To change the size of the tubing to increase or decrease airflow through the tube
The alveolar epithelium borders what struture?
The endothelial membrane of capillaries
What is an anatomical feature of the thyroid cartilage?
The anterior laryngeal prominence (Adam’s apple) which is usually more prominent in males
The palatine tonsils are composed of ____ tissue
Lymphoid
What are paranasal sinuses?
Hollow, air-filled spaces located within certain bones of the skull
Give two characteristics of the vessels of the pulmonary capillary network
The vessels have very thin walls that lack smooth muscle fibres
What is the pleura?
A serous membrane that surrounds the lung
Air exits the nasal cavities and moves into the ____
Nasopharynx
The soft posterior surface of the trachea also allows for expansion of what structure, and why?
The oesephagus, for swallowing food
The stacked c-shaped cartilage that form the trachea are connected by what kind of tissue?
Dense connective tissue
What is the epiglottic cartilage?
A highly flexible piece of elastic cartilage that covers the opening of the trachea
What is the purpose of goblet cells in respiratory epithelium?
Production of mucous that traps debris
What are the pleurae attached to?
The mediastinum
The epiglottic cartilage is attached to the ____ cartilage
Thyroid
Respiratory epithelium - ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium - also contains what other type of cells?
Goblet cells
What structure is the final component of the conducting zone?
Terminal bronchioles
Pulmonary arteries become the ____ ____ ____ as they near the alveoli
Pulmonary capillary network
What shape are the pieces of cartilage that stack to form the trachea?
C-shaped
How much of the alveolar surface area is comprised of type I alveolar cells?
97%
The secondary bronchi pass deep into lung tissue then divide into ____ (____) bronchi
Tertiary/segmental
What is the meaning of ‘bronchial tree’?
It is the collective term for multi-branched bronchi
The respiratory system can be functionally divided into a ____ zone and ____ zone
Conducting; respiratory
Why must alveoli have elastic walls?
It allows them to stretch during air intake, greatly increasing the surface area for gas exchange
What is an alveolar sac?
A cluster of many individual alveoli that are responsible for gas exchange
What is located immediately inferior to the oropharynx?
The laryngopharynx
Each lung houses structures of both ____ and ____ zones
Conducting; respiratory
What is located immediately anterior to the oropharynx?
The oral cavity
Name the two layers of the pleurae
Visceral pleura and parietal pleura
What is the hilum?
A concave region where blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves also enter the lungs
Where do the visceral and parietal pleura connect to each other?
At the hilum
What is posterior to the trachea?
The oesophagus
Alveoli have ____ walls
Elastic
The stratified squamous epithelium of the oropharynx is continuous with the ____
Laryngopharynx
What separates the lobes from each other?
Fissures
When describing the nose it is helpful to divide it into two major sections - the ____ nose and the ____ cavity/____nose
External; nasal; internal
Respiratory mucosa line all of what structures?
Paranasal sinuses
After the primary, secondary, and tertiary bronchi, the bronchi continue to branch into a ____ ____
Bronchial tree
What is the purpose of pleural fluid?
Lubrication to reduce the friciton between the two layers to prevent trauma during breathing, as well as creating surface tension that helps maintain the position of the lungs against the thoracic wall
What comes under the conducting zone of the respiratory system?
The organs and structures not directly involved in gas exchange
What is the small type of bronchiole?
A respiratory bronchiole
What is different about the cartilage of secondary and tertiary bronchi compared to that of primary bronchi?
The secondary and tertiary bronchi are compoesd of hyaline cartilage plates, rather than cartilage rings
What is the name of the structure than branches from the tertiary bronchi?
A bronchiole
What does the respiratory bronchiole lead to?
An alveolar duct
Air exits the ____ ____ and moves into the pharynx
Nasal cavities
The posterior region of the nasal cavity is what structure?
The soft palate
For what is the oropharynx a passageway?
Air and food
