Respiratory Unit Lesson 1: Respiratory Organs

Question 1

what organs(6) are the respiratory system composed of

Answer 1

nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs and diaphragm

Question 2

what is the respiratory tract

Answer 2

the flow of air from the nose to the lungs

Question 3

what is the nose’s function

Answer 3

it acts as one of the two entry points at which air can enter the body

Question 4

how is the nose divided

Answer 4

it is divided into two nasal cavities by an internal septum of bone and cartilage

Question 5

how is air filtered as it passes through the nose

Answer 5

air is first partly filtered by coarse hairs within the nostrils and then later filtered by the mucus and cilia within the nasal cavities

Question 6

what is the area called where the nasal cavities merge with the pharynx

Answer 6

the nasopharynx

Question 7

what are the features of the nasopharynx

Answer 7

it has chemoreceptors, it is the end site of tear glands, and it communicates with air-filled cavities in the skull(sinuses)

Question 8

what are sinuses

Answer 8

air spaces in the skull

Question 9

what are the functions of sinuses

Answer 9

reduces skull weight, cleanses fluids that drain into nasal cavities, and allows voice resonation

Question 10

separate the pharynx into several regions(n, o, l or h)

Answer 10

nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx(or hypopharynx)

Question 11

what are 2 structures in the pharynx worth noting

Answer 11

the uvula and the tonsils

Question 12

what is the uvula

Answer 12

an extension of the soft palate that projects into the oropharynx

Question 13

what are tonsils and their function

Answer 13

lymphatic tissue that help protect against inhaled and ingested bacteria and viruses

Question 14

what is the larynx

Answer 14

the cartilaginous region of the throat

Question 15

function of the larynx

Answer 15

it acts as a bridge between the pharynx and the trachea

Question 16

what is the glottis

Answer 16

the opening in the larynx to the trachea

Question 17

what is the trachea

Answer 17

the cartilaginous structure that joins the larynx to the bronchial tree

Question 18

what is the cilia in the trachea used for

Answer 18

it is used to sweep debris upwards toward the pharynx where it can then be swallowed to the stomach or spat out for elimination

Question 19

describe the underlying structure of the lungs(more specifically where gas exchange occurs

Answer 19

an inverted tree with numerous branches. starting from the trachea, the channel branches into the left and right bronchi. they then branch off into numerous, smaller bronchioles and those terminate at tiny grape-like assemblages called alveoli

Question 20

what are the lungs composed of

Answer 20

major lobes that can be divided into smaller lobules

Question 21

how many lobes does the right lung have

Answer 21

3 lobes

Question 22

how many lobes does the left lung have and why

Answer 22

it has 2 to accommodate the heart

Question 23

what is pleura and where is it located

Answer 23

a thin pleural membrane that covers each lung

Question 24

why is a surfactant produced in the pleura

Answer 24

it is used to prevent the membrane from sticking to the alveoli(if there were no surfactant, the membrane would prevent gas exchange)

Question 25

what is the diaphragm and where is it located

Answer 25

a muscular structure between the thorax and abdomen that can expand and contract

Question 26

what is the function of the diaphragm

Answer 26

it can change the size of the thorax and manipulate air pressure to move into and out of the lungs