Respiratory System Anatomy Flashcards
What are the 4 parts of the upper respiratory tract?
- Nostrils
- Nasal cavity
- Pharynx
- Larynx
What are the two parts of the lower respiratory tract?
- Trachea
- Lungs
Where is there cartilage in the external part of the nose?
On the medial, dorsal and ventral surface
Where is the nasal cavity?
Extends from external nostril to the internal nostrils at the caudal extremity of the hard palate
What is the nasal septum?
The cartilage and bone wall that divides the nose into two separate nasal passages
What are conchae?
The bony scroll like structures that are protruding into the nasal cavity
What is the primary function of the conchae?
Is to increase the surface area of the nasal cavity which helps to warm and humidify the air as it passes to the lungs
What are meatuses in the nasal cavity?
Are air passages located beneath the nasal conchae
What are the four main meatuses in the nasal cavity?
- Common
- Dorsal
- Middle
- Ventral
What is the structure of the meatuses cavities?
E shaped with the common the I and in this order top to bottom dorsal, middle, ventral are the prongs
What is the olfactory epithelium?
Where the smelling cells are
What is the paranasal sinuses?
Air filled cavities within the bones of the skull and facial bones around the nose
What are the three main roles of the nasal cavity?
- Warm up the air
- Humidify the air by vaporisation of tears and serous nasal secretions
- Cleanse the air of any unwanted material
What is typical respiratory epithelium?
Is a ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium found lining most of the respiratory tract
What is the pharynx?
The common chamber of digestive and respiratory tracts
What is the larynx?
The connection between the pharynx and the trachea
What are the three main roles of the laryinx?
- Regulation of airflow
- Prevention of inspiration of food
- Vocalisation
What is the tracheas structure?
Tube-like structure connecting the larynx to the bronchi, supported by C-shaped rings of cartilage interspersed with annular ligaments
What are bronchiole?
A tiny branch of air tubes in the lungs without any cartilage
What are the terminal bronchiole?
Are the smallest conducting airways in the respiratory system where gas exchange does not occur
What are the respiratory bronchiole?
Are the narrowest airways in the lungs where gas exchange occurs
What are the alveoli?
Alveoli are tiny, microscopic air sacs that are one cell thick located at the end of the bronchioles where gas exchange occurs readily
Which lung side is larger and why?
The right lung is larger as the heart occupies space on the left side of the chest
How many lobes does the right lung have and what are they called?
Three lobes
- Cranial
- Middle
- Caudal
How many lobes does the left lung have?
Two lobes
- Cranial
- Caudal
What is the hilus of the lung?
Is the entry and exit point on the medial surface of the lung where bronchi, pulmonary vessels, lymphatics and nerve pass
What are lobules in the lungs?
Lobules are the smallest functional unit of the lung each supplied by a terminal bronchiole
What is the sternum and its role in the thoracic cavity?
Is the breastbone at the front of the chest providing structural support and protection for the heart and a connection point for the ribs
What is the diaphragm and its role in respiration?
Is a dome shaped muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and contracts during inhalation to increase chest volume and draw air into the lungs
What are pleural sacs?
Are double layered membranes surrounding each lung
What is the visceral pleura?
The membrane that covers the surface of the lungs
What is the parietal pleura?
The membrane that lines the inside of the chest wall, diaphragm and mediastinum
What is the central mediastinum?
Is the area between the lungs that contains the heart, trachea, eosophagus, major vessels, nerves and lymph nodes
Why is negative pressure in the pleural cavity important?
It keeps the lungs inflated and assists with lung expansion during inhalation
What is the pleural cavity?
Is the space between the visceral and parietal pleura that contains pleural fluid
What are the four steps for inhalation?
- Inspiratory muscles contract
- Thoracic cavity expands
- Increase negative pressure
- Air flows into lungs until alveolar pressure equals atmospheric pressure
