respiratory system (theory) Flashcards
upper respiratory system organs and components
- nose
- nasal cavity
- sinuses
- pharynx
lower respiratory organs and components
- larynx
- trachea
- bronchi
- bronchioles
- alveoli
respiratory functions
- site of gas exchange
- protection against pathogens and dryness
- produces sound
- helps to maintain blood volume, pressure and pH
how does the respiratory system maintain blood volume, pressure and pH
angiotensin I and II production controls blood pressure bc its a vasoconstrictor
when we exhale, we lose fluids which controls blood volume
when we hyperventilate, we lose CO2 to deal with acidosis
vibrissae
hairs of the nose that block inhaled debris
function of mucous in the respiratory system
traps pathogens and debris
pathway of air
- enter the external nares
- pass the nasal vestibule
- enters nasal cavity
- humidified through the nasal conchae
- enters internal nares
- enters nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- into the larynx
- into the trachea
is the nasopharynx respiratory or digestive?
respiratory
is the oropharynx respiratory or digestive?
both
laryngopharynx
area of the entrance to the trachea and esophagus
larynx characteristics
- cylinder stabilized by ligaments and skeletal muscle
- starts at C3 or C4
- ends at C7
the 9 cartilages of the larynx
- thyroid (unpaired) –> contains laryngeal prominence
- cricoid (unpaired)
- epiglottis (unpaired)
- arytenoid cartilage (paired)
- corniculate (paired)
- cuneiform (paired)
epiglottis function
a cartilage flap that closes the glottis of the larynx when swallowing food
corniculate cartilage
supports the vocal fold (true cord)
vestibular fold
false cords, purely supportive
what determines voice pitch
length, diameter and tension of vocal folds
what amplifies sound? `
the sinus cavities
vocal fold abduction
tenses the cords –> high pitch
vocal fold adduction
relaxes the cords –> low pitch
intrinsic muscles of the larynx
regulates the tension of vocal cords
extrinsic muscles of the larynx
positions and stabilizes the larynx
trachea characteristics
- 11 cm long
- branches into the left and right primary bronchi
- 15-20 cartilaginous rings
tracheal ring characteristics
they are ring shaped to stabilize the trachea but the ring shape helps accommodate esophageal movement
differences between the left and right primary bronchi
- left bronchi is more horizontal
- right bronchi is more vertical
- right bronchi has 10 segments
- left bronchi has 9 segments
characteristics of the lungs
- right lung has 3 lobes
- left lung has 2 lobes
- costal surfaces
- vertebral surfaces
- diaphragmatic surfaces
- left lung as the cardiac notch
right lung has the transverse and oblique fissure
left lung has just the oblique fissure
how many pulmonary veins enter the left atrium
how many pulmonary veins exit the lungs
4 pulmonary veins enter the left atrium
there are 2 pulmonary veins per lung
what lines the inside of the trachea and bronchi
pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
this helps to push trapped particulates up away from the lower respiratory system
the more terminal bronchi and especially the aorta have little to no cilia
bronchiole dilation and constriction
the tertiary bronchi end in the bronchioles which do not have cartilage
they have smooth muscle meaning they can vasodilate and vasoconstrict
vasodilation = sympathetic
vasoconstriction = parasympathetic
alveoli characteristics
- is surrounded by capillaries
- has pulmonary arterioles and venules
- small bundles of sacks
- open environment to help rescue neighboring alveoli
type I pneumocytes
strictly simple squamous
type II pneomocytes
secrete surfactant to reduce surface tension of the alveoli
alveolar macrophages
phagocytize organic particulates
pulmonary artery transport
carries CO2 to the lungs
pulmonary vein transport
carries O2 rich blood from the lungs
pleura function and characteristics
- visceral –> attaches to lungs
- parietal –> attaches to chest wall
- pleural space filled with fluid to reduce friction between pleural layers
- negative pressure in pleural cavity to help expand lungs
eupnea
normal breathing
hyperpnea
forced breathing
apnea
breathing stops
respiratory centers of the medulla
- DRG –> inspiration
- VRG –> exhalation
respiratory centers of the medulla travel down to the spinal cord and activate motor neurons to affect breathing
mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors
these send information to the DRG and VRG about the condition of the lungs
ex… chemoreceptors tell the DRG that CO2 is high –> hyperventilate
