Respiratory System (For Exam 3) Flashcards
Functions of the Respiratory System
gas exchange air conditioning sound production olfaction defense
What is the respiratory system’s function of gas exchange?
it brings oxygen into the body and bloodstream and removes carbon dioxide
What is the respiratory system’s function of air conditioning?
adds warmth and moisture to the air we breathe in
What is the respiratory system’s function of sound production?
a specialized part of the respiratory system (the larynx) produces sound for speaking when air passes through during exhalation
What is the respiratory system’s function of olfaction?
specialized tissue in the nasal cavity carries information regarding smells
What is the respiratory system’s function of defense?
mucus (secreted by mucous cells) protect the fragile respiratory lining from drying out but also traps dirt particles. Lymphoid tissue associated with the respiratory tract monitor the air we breathe or unwanted particles and microorganisms
Upper Respiratory Tract
nasal cavity (and paranasal sinuses) pharynx
Lower Respiratory Tract
larynx
trachea
bronchi
lungs
What divides the nasal cavity into left and right parts?
nasal septum (made of cartilage and bone)
The nasal cavity is lined with…
mucous membrane
Where are the superior, middle, and inferior projections called conchae in the nasal cavity?
lateral walls
The superior and middle concha are part of what bone?
ethmoid bone
Under each concha is a groove called a…
meatus
Outgrowths of the nasal cavity form…
paranasal sinuses
Sinuses can be found in which bones?
maxillary
frontal
ethmoid
sphenoid
Tears drain into the nasal cavity, under the inferior concha, from the…
nasolacrimal duct
The pharynx is the area located posterior to the…
nasal cavity (nasopharynx) oral cavity (oropharynx) larynx (laryngopharynx)
What is the pathway of air (that enters through the nose) in the pharynx?
nasopharynx –> oropharynx –> larynx
What is the pathway of food (entering from the mouth) in the pharynx?
oropharynx –> laryngopharynx –> esophagus
The eustachian (auditory) tube connects the nasopharynx to the…
middle ear
- purpose: equalize pressure in the middle ear
What does the pharyngeal tonsil do?
monitors air for microorganisms and initiates an immune response if necessary
Where are the palatine tonsils?
in the lateral walls of the oropharynx
What do the palatine tonsils do?
monitor the food we eat for microorganisms, initiating an immune response if necessary
What is the larynx commonly known as?
the “voice-box”
The larynx is composed of…
cartilage and muscles and is lined with a mucous memrbane
The larynx is intimately associated with which bone?
hyoid bone
What is the structural framework of the larynx?
thyroid cartilage cricoid cartilage arytenoid cartilage corniculate cartilages epiglottis
Thyroid Cartilage
large, unpaired cartilage that is C-shaped (open in the back) which forms the laryngeal prominence (Adam’s apple) in the front
Cricoid Cartilage
ring-like cartilage sitting inferior to the thyroid cartilage, articulates iwth its inferior horns
Arytenoid Cartilage
paired pyramidal cartilages that sit atop the posterior aspect of the cricoid cartilage; each with an apex, muscular process, and vocal process (for the attachment of vocal ligaments)
Corniculate Cartilages
small pieces of cartilage that are fused to the apicies of the arytenoid cartilages
Epiglottis
leaf-like cartilage, with its “stem” attached to the thyroid cartilage, closed over the opening of the larynx during swallowing
Conus Elasticus
a membrane that extends from the vocal ligaments to the cricoid cartilage, leaving an opening between the vocal ligaments called rima glottidis
What are the muscles of the larynx?
posterior cricoarytenoid muscle
arytenoid muscle
Posterior Cricoarytenoid Muscle
runs from posterior aspect of cricoid cartilage to muscular process of arytenoid cartilage
- moves vocal ligaments apart for breathing
Arytenoid Muscle
runs between the two arytenoid cartilages
- draws the arytenoid cartilages and vocal ligaments together during speaking and swallow
Trachea
flexible tube that extends inferiorly from the larynx to the thorax
- walls are supported by C-shaped cartilages
- open ends of the cartilages are connected by trachealis muscle
- lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with numerous mucus-secreting goblet cells
At the sternal angle, the trachea splits into left and right…
pulmonary bronchi (one for each lung)
Bronchi
- supported by C-shaped cartilages
- smooth muscle located between cartilages
- lined with pseudostratiied ciliated columnar epithelium with numerous mucus-secreting goblet cells
- enter the lungs and branch into smaller and smaller bronchi
Each primary bronchus divided into a…
secondary bronchus (one for each lobe of the lung)
Secondary bronchi divide into _________ bronchi and so on for 9-12 levels of branching.
tertiary
As the bronchial tree branches further, the cartilage becomes more sparse until only what is found in the wall?
smooth muscle
What are the smallest parts of the bronchial tree?
terminal bronchioles
Terminal bronchioles give rise to…
respiratory brochioles, which are associated with alveoli
Aveoli can occur individually or as a part of a large cluster called an…
alveolar sac
The spherical walls of alveoli are formed by…
simple squamous epithelium on a basement membrane
Pulmonary capillaries surround the…
alveoli
The respiratory membrane consists of…
two layers of simple squamous epithelium (one from alveolus and one from capillary) and their fused basement membranes between
What gas goes from the alveolus to the capillary and ultimately into the blood?
oxygen
What gas goes from the blood and capillary to the alveolus?
carbon dioxide
The squamous alveolar cell is also called…
alveolar type I cell
Alveolar type II cells are scattered through the alveoli and produce…
pulmonary surfactant
Alveolar Macrophages
also called dust cells, they keep alveoli clean of particulate matter
Tracheotomy
an opening made in the trachea just inferior to the larynx
Emphysema
merging and reduction of surface area of alveoli
Cystic Fibrosis
thick mucus buildup in the lungs with infections
Bronchitis
an inflammation of the bronchi
Asthma
episodes of bronchoconstriction
When do lungs begin growth in during development?
4th week, begin growth as respiratory diverticulum
Lung buds grow into…
pleural cavities, which are lined with serous membrane called pleura
Pleura covering the lungs is called…
visceral pleura
Pleura lining the cavity is called…
pariteal pleura
How many lobes does the right lung have?
3 - superior, middle, and inferior
- divided by fissures
How many lobes does the left lung have?
2 - superior and inferior
- divided by fissures with lingula extending from superior lobe
Which lung has a cardiac impression on the medial surface and a cardiac notch above the lingula?
left lung
Where do blood vessels and bronchi enter the lung?
at the hilum
What is the primary muscle of respiration?
the diaphragm
During inhalation, what does the diaphragm do?
flattens inferiorly and creates a vacuum in the pleural cavities
During exhalation, what does the diaphragm do?
relaxes and domes superiorly and pushes air out of the lungs
With quiet breathing, diaphragm and external intercostals alternately do what?
contract and relax
What other muscles help with respiration, specifically inhalation?
pectoralis minor
serratus posterior superior
What other muscles help with respiration, specifically exhalation?
serratus posterior inferior
abdominals
internal intercostals
Where are the respiratory centers located?
pons and medulla oblongata
What do the respiratory centers do?
send out rhythmic motor commands to the diaphragm through the phrenic nerves, which are formed by the branches of spinal nerve C3, C4, C5.
Tidal Volume
during quiet breathing, the amount of air (mL) inhaled and exhaled
Vital Capacity
total amount of air that can be inhaled and exhaled
Residual Volume
amount of air left in lungs after exhalation
