Respiratory System L1 Flashcards
What is the function of the respiratory system?
- Gas exchange - the respiratory system is required for the exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen.
- Speech - When you exhale the larynx will change size and shape to allow you to resonate your voice
- Smell - There is special mucosa at the top of the nasal cavity which trap particles in the air. The cranial nerve then takes this information to be processed by the brain.
How can the respiratory system be divided by function?
The repertory system can be divided into the conducting portion and the respiratory portion.
The conducting portion is the section of the respiratory system that takes the air down to the alveolus. It is made up of the nasal cavity, the pharynx and the larynx. Air is conditioned in the conducting portion before taken down the the lungs.
The respiratory portion is the section of the respiratory system in which gas exchange takes place.
What is the function of the paranasal cavities? What are they?
The skull is not a solid bone. There are air bone (pneumatic bone) in the skull which condition the air - they warm, filter and moisten the air.
There are 4 paranasal cavities:
- Frontal sinus
- Maxillary sinus
- Sphenoid sinus
- Ethmoid air cells
What is the clinical importance of the paranasal sinuses?
These sinuses can become infected due to their exposure to air, When this occurs, the sinuses fill with mucus.
Which sinus is most prone to infection? Why is this? What type of pain can this lead to?
Maxillary sinus
This is as due to the structure of the sinus, the sinus must fill first before it empties. Due to its option on the maxilla bone, an infection can lead to a toothache.
What is the function of the conchae? How many conchae are there?
To create turbulent air flow and therefore condition the air.
There are 3 conchae:
- Superior conchae
- Middle Conchae
- Inferior Conchae
What is the pharynx? What is the structure?
The pharynx is a a muscular tube that carries the inspired air from the nasal cavity to the larynx. The pharynx is split into 3 sections:
- The nasopharynx
- The oropharynx
- The laryngopharynx
The soft palette signifies the change between the nasopharynx and the oropharynx. The epiglottis signifies the change between the oropharynx and the laryngopharynx.
Why does your nose run when you cry?
The nasolacrimal duct is a duct that connects the lacrimal duct in the eye and the nasal cavity. It drains into the inferior meatus. This therefore means excess tears are drained through the nose.
What happens if the nasolacrimal duct is blocked?
This leads to watery, irritated eyes.
What are the meatus’?
Under the conchae are meatus’ that are continuous with the paranasal sinuses. There are 3 meatus’:
- Superior meatus
- Middle meatus
- inferior meatus
The main openings into the nasal meatuses are the posterior ethmoidal cells into the superior meatus, the anterior ethmoidal cells and frontal and maxillary sinuses into the middle meatus. The nasolacrimal duct drains into the inferior meatus.
What is the mediasternum?
The space between the lungs for organs such as the heart, oesophagus and the great vessels.
What is the costal margin?
The lower edge of the thorax formed by the bottom edge of the ribs.
How is the sternum divided?
The bone is divided into the manubrium, sternum and the xiphodial process (the cartilaginous section at the lower end of the sternum, which is not attached to any ribs, and gradually ossifies during adult life).
What is the jugular notch?
The jugular notch, is a large, visible dip in between the neck and the two collarbones of the human anatomy. The jugular notch is found at the superior border of the manubrium of the sternum, between the clavicular notches.
What is the sternal angle? What is the significance?
It is the change in angle formed by the connection between the manubrium and the sternum. The clinical significance is that this angle can be used to locate the 2nd rib as it lateral to this landmark. As a result, this can be used to count the ribs.
