Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Anatomy YBOD 200 > Respiratory system histology > Flashcards

Respiratory system histology Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two functional elements of the respiratory system?

A

1.Conducting system
2. Gaseous exchange mechanism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the functions of the cavities in the conducting system of the respiratory system?

A

They cleanse, warm and humidify/moisten air.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the functions of the 2 cell types of the respiratory epithelium that line the cavities?

A

One secretes mucous, which traps particles.
One has surface cilia, which moves the thin layer of mucous.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Why do the cavities have numerous blood vessels under the epithelium?

A

The blood vessels are responsible for warming the inspired air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the function of seromucous glands?

A

They secrete mucous and watery fluid which moisten the air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

T/F: The epithelium in larger airways has a different function to the one in the upper respiratory tract.

A

F
In larger airways the epithelium has a similar structure and function as upper respiratory tract.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the difference in the cartilage found in the trachea and the one in smaller branches of the tracheobronchial tree?

A

The trachea has a C-shaped cartilages, while the smaller branches have irregular cartilage plates.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the function of the smooth muscle in the airways?

A

Smooth muscle contracts and relaxes to modify diameter of airways, and thus flow of air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

T/F: Bronchioles have irregular cartilage plates

A

F
Bronchioles have no cartilage. Cartilage ends at tertiary bronchi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the main components that constitute the gaseous exchange mechanism?

A

Blind-ending sacs called alveoli, as well as pulmonary capillaries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the transitional parts between the conducting part gaseous exchange mechanism?

A

Respiratory bronchioles and alveolar ducts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Where do alveolar ducts terminate?

A

In alveolar sacs which open into the alveoli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

The nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses are lined by______________.

A

Respiratory mucosa

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the function of the respiratory mucosa?

A

Adjusts temperature and humidity of inspired air.
Traps small particles that have not been caught by hair in the nasal cavity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How do the nasal conchae enhance the function of the respiratory mucosa?

A

They increase surface area for contact between air and respiratory mucosa

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What type of epithelium does the nasal mucosa consist of?

A

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with several goblet cells (termed respiratory epithelium)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Describe the basement membrane of the respiratory mucosa

A

It is unusually thick

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is lamina propria?

A

Lamina propria is a layer of connective tissue that forms part of the moist linings – mucosa, and supports the delicate mucosal epithelium.
It is rich in blood vessels, serous and mucous glands.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Mucous from these glands are propelled to the______________ by coordinated movement of the ____________.

A

Pharynx
Cilia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the termed used for the coordinated movement of cilia to propel mucous?

A

Muco-ciliary escalator

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Describe the mucosa found in the nasopharynx

A

-Has pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
-Lamina propria has some mucous and serous glands.
-Dominant feature: large masses of lymphoid tissue (protects entry portals for the resp. system and GIT)

22
Q

What changes occur in the nasopharyngeal mucosa due to age and extensive smoking?

A

patches of squamous epithelium occur with age and extensive smoking.

23
Q

What is the name of the protrusion of lymphoid tissue found in the nasopharynx? and what is it similar to?

A

nasopharyngeal tonsil or adenoid
It is similar to a lingual tonsil

24
Q

Describe the epithelium found in false vocal cords

A

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with seromucous glands

25
Q

Describe the epithelium found in true vocal cords, and its significance.

A

Stratified squamous epithelium. This is more resistant to physical damage that may be caused vibration of the cords during phonation

26
Q

What makes up the trachea?

A

-Fibroelastic tissue
-Cartilage
-Trachealis muscle (Posterior wall)
-Longitudinal muscle (part of the oesophagus)

27
Q

What is the function of smooth muscle in the trachea?

A

-It contracts to reduce tracheal diameter
-Assists in raising intrathoracic pressure during coughing.

28
Q

T/F

The respiratory epithelium in the inner layer of the trachea is different from the nasal epithelium

A

False. It is similar

29
Q

Name the different cell types found in respiratory mucosa of the trachea

A

-Pseudostratified columnar cells with cilia
-Goblet cells
-Basal cells
-Serous cells similar to submucosal cells

(Present in different proportions in different parts of the trachea)

30
Q

T/F

Ciliated columnar cells are plentiful in the lower trachea, goblet cells are more common in upper trachea

A

True

31
Q

Describe the lamina propria of the trachea

A

Loose, highly vascular connective tissue which becomes condensed at its deeper aspect to form a band of fibroelastic tissue.

32
Q

Describe lamina propria of the trachea

A

Loose submucosa
-Has several seromucinous glands (decrease in number in lower region of trachea).
-Submucosa merges with perichondrium of underlying hyaline cartilage or with dense fibroelastic cartilage between rings.

33
Q

Describe the mucosa of the primary bronchus (6)

A

-Resp. Epithelium less tall, fewer goblet cells.
-Upper lamina propria has more elastin.
- A layer of smooth muscle separates lamina propria from the submucosa.
- Submucosa has fewer seromucinous glands
- Cartilage is flattened into interconnected discs rather than rings.
- Cilia sweeps mucous up the bronchus

34
Q

How would you identify goblet cells in an electron microscope?

A

They are recognised by their bulbous surface outline & lack of cilia.

35
Q

Fragile cilia are vulnerable to damage from what?

A

Inhaled toxic chemicals and bacterial/viral infections.

36
Q

Describe the mucosa of tertiary bronchi (4)

A

-Epithelium is talk & columnar but there is little pseudostratification.
-Lamina propria: thin & elastic, completely encircled by smooth muscle in a spiral manner.
-Seromucinous glands are scarce in submucosa
-Cartilage is reduced to a few irregular plates

37
Q

What structures are absent in bronchioles? (2)

A

-Cartilage
-Submucosal glands

38
Q

In terminal and respiratory bronchioles, what cells replace goblet cells? Describe these cells and their function

A

Clara cells - they are tall columnar cells with apical secretory granules.
-These cells produce surfactant, act as stem cells and contain enzymes which can detoxify noxious substances

39
Q

What do terminal bronchioles divide into?

A

They divide to form respiratory bronchioles which have a small number if single alveoli in their walls

40
Q

What do respiratory bronchioles divide into?

A

They divide into alveolar ducts which end in alveolar sacs - which then open into several alveoli

41
Q

T/F

Smooth muscle is absent in the wall of bronchioles

A

F

42
Q

What structure is closely related to respiratory bronchioles?

A

A distended thin-walled pulmonary artery branch lies next to bronchiole

43
Q

Describe alveolar ducts

A

-The walls of alveolar ducts can be seen as small aggregations of smooth muscle cells, collagen & elastin fibres - which form alveolar rings that surround the alveolar ducts.
-This smooth muscle regulates alveolar air movements.

44
Q

What is the name of cells that line alveoli?
Describe these cells

A

They are lined by by flattened epithelial cells called pneumocytes (predominantly type I)
Type I pneumocytes are large squamous cells and cover most of the alveolar surface.

45
Q

___________ occasionally have small openings called______________ which allow movement of air between adjacent alveoli.

A

Alveolar septa
Alveolar pores

46
Q

How is the supporting meshwork for lung parenchyma formed?

A

Collagen and elastic fibres of the septum condense around openings of alveoli to form a supporting meshwork for lung parenchyma.

47
Q

Describe type II pneumocytes

A

These cells are rounded in shape and occupy about 5% of the alveolar surface, but about 60% of the alveolar lining.
They secrete surfactant.
They can differentiate into type I pneumocytes if needed.

48
Q

Explain squamous metaplasia

A

Tracheobronchial mucosa is exposed to several damaging agents – such as inhaled chemical toxins,
bacteria and viruses.
* Prolonged damage, or repeated damage, to respiratory epithelium leads to the death and replacement
by squamous epithelium – squamous metaplasia.
* Squamous metaplasia is one of the three contributions to Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) along with bronchoconstriction and emphysema.

49
Q

Which part of the respiratory tract is more prone to developing malignant tumours?

A

The bronchial tree is an important site for development of malignant tumours – bronchial
carcinoma.
This often originates in areas of squamous metaplasia in the bronchial mucosa in heavy smokers.

50
Q

Explain emphysema

A

Anatomically defined as abnormal enlargement
of alveolar airspaces distal to terminal
bronchiole.
* Usually in smokers, associated with chronic
bronchitis.
* Involves loss of lung parenchyma

Anatomy YBOD 200 (55 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions