Respiratory system A&P Flashcards
Respiratory gases move across membranes from higher concentration to lower concentration. This simple physical process is called ____________.
diffusion
The movement of gases between the alveoli and the blood is called the ________________ exchange of gases.
external
The membrane around the lung is the ____________.
pleura
The small air sacs in the lungs through which gases are exchanged are the ____________.
alveoli
The part of the respiratory tract that contains the vocal cords is the ____________.
larynx
The leaf-shaped cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing is the ____________.
epiglottis
A small subdivision of a bronchus is a(n) ____________.
bronchiole
The ease with which one can expand the lungs and thorax is called ________________.
compliance
The active phase of normal, relaxed breathing is ______________.
inhalation
Inhalation is enabled by contraction of a large dome-shaped muscle called the _____________.
diaphragm
The iron-containing protein that carries oxygen in the blood is ____________.
hemoglobin
The enzyme involved in the conversion of carbon dioxide into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions is called ____________.
carbonic anhydrase
The nerve that stimulates the diaphragm is the ____________.
phrenic nerve
A rise in the blood level of carbon dioxide is called ________________.
hypercapnia
The amount of air moved into or out of the lungs in quiet breathing is the ____________.
tidal volume
Ms. L is breathing rapidly during a road race. This altered breathing pattern is called _____________.
tachypnea
A lower-than-normal oxygen concentration in arterial blood is termed _____________
hypoxemia
Small tumors that form as a result of chronic sinusitis are called _____________.
polyps
Young RS, age 2, is suffering from an upper respiratory infection. She wakes up in the night with a loud barking cough and breathing difficulties. RS is likely suffering from the condition commonly known as ___________.
croup
The medical term for hay fever is ________________.
allergic rhinitis
COPD stands for chronic __________ pulmonary disease.
obstructive
Alveoli are destroyed in sufferers of the chronic disease called ___________.
emphysema
Premature babies can suffer from a collapsed lung, or ________________, as a result of insufficient surfactant production.
atelectasis
A malignant lung cancer originating in a bronchus is called ________________.
bronchogenic carcinoma
The process by which fluid is removed from the pleural space is called _____________.
thoracentesis
The technique used on a person who is not breathing and does not have a heartbeat is _____________.
cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR
A __________________ can be used to examine the respiratory tract and take a biopsy of a lung tumor.
bronchoscope
The word part or/o means __________________.
mouth
The diaphragm contracts during the phase of respiration called
pulmonary ventilation
At the lungs,
oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses into the alveoli
The most superior portion of the pharynx is the
nasopharynx
Which of the following characteristics does NOT apply to the tissue that lines the trachea?
squamous
The pleural space is located
between the layers of the membrane covering the lungs
The Adam’s apple is formed by the
thyroid cartilage
Cartilage rings surround the
trachea
Which of the following structures is NOT found in the mediastinum?
lungs
Which of the following structures is part of the nasal septum?
vomer
The amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs by maximum exhalation following maximum inhalation is the
vital capacity
The neck and abdominal muscles are involved in a
forceful exhalation
Most of the carbon dioxide transported in the blood is carried
in the form of bicarbonate ions
Oxygen moves from the lungs into the blood via
diffusion
Chemoreceptors that regulate breathing are located in the
carotid artery and aorta
The substance that binds to the central chemoreceptors is
hydrogen ions
Which of the following breathing patterns would result in the greatest increase in blood acidity?
apnea
Hypoxemia is
deficiency of oxygen in the blood
Epistaxis is the medical term for
a nose bleed
An example of an upper respiratory infection is
acute coryza
The fluid that accumulates in the alveoli of patients with pneumonia is called
mucus
Which of the following is NOT associated with an allergic response?
acute coryza
The C in COPD stands for
chronic
Which of the following symptoms is NOT associated with COPD?
formation of tubercles
The term pneumothorax refers to accumulation of air in the
pleural space
Air or fluid may be removed from the pleural space by
thoracentesis
An incision into the trachea is called a
tracheotomy
Ms. L was pulled from the ocean unconscious. She is not breathing but has a strong heartbeat and no evidence of any obstruction. The best treatment for Ms. L is
tracheotomy
Discuss the importance of the pleurae in pulmonary ventilation.
The pleurae are doubled sacs that surround the lungs. One layer (the parietal pleura) is attached to the chest wall, and the other layer (the visceral pleura) is attached to the lung. The layers are normally held together by liquid in the pleural space. Thus, when the thoracic cavity expands, the visceral pleura, the parietal pleura, and the lungs will also expand. Expansion of the lungs creates a negative pressure gradient, resulting in air moving into the lungs (inhalation). The pleurae therefore link changes in thoracic volume with changes in pulmonary volume.
Would a deficiency in hemoglobin be more detrimental to oxygen transport or carbon dioxide transport? Explain
It would be more detrimental to oxygen transport because nearly all of the blood oxygen is carried by the hemoglobin molecule, whereas most of the carbon dioxide is carried in the form of bicarbonate.
Mr. J has an increase in the acidity of his cerebrospinal fluid. How will this change in blood pH affect his breathing pattern? Explain the mechanism involved.
Increased blood acidity means that the level of hydrogen ions is increased. Hydrogen ions will bind to chemoreceptors on either side of the brainstem and stimulate the activity of the respiratory control center. This center will send impulses to the diaphragm via the vagal nerve and the phrenic nerve to increase the rate and depth of breathing.
Compare and contrast emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Similarities: Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are part of the group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thus, they are both characterized by obstruction to normal air flow, air trapping, and eventually dyspnea during exhalation. Both are more common in smokers. Difference: Chronic bronchitis is a chronic inflammation of the airways, resulting in excess mucus production. Emphysema involves the dilation and eventual destruction of the alveoli.
