Respirstory System Flashcards
Structures of the upper respiratory system
Nasal cavity
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Structures of the lower respiratory system
The bronchi/bronchioles
Lungs
Pleura
Diaphragm
Ribs and intercostal muscles
Respiration
Inspiration, expiration and diffusion of;
- oxygen from pulmonary alveoli to the blood.
- carbon dioxide from the blood to alveoli.
- transport of oxygen to and carbon dioxide from body cells.
Structure of nose and nasal cavity in respiratory system
- route for air entry through the nose
- enters large nasal cavity
- left and right separated by nasal septum
- nasal cavity is partitioned from oral cavity by the palate.
Function of nose and nasal hairs
- Warming; due to dense vascularity.
- Humidification; air travels over moist mucosa, saturated with water.
- Filtering and cleaning; traps particles and ducts adheres to mucous, prevents drying.
Sense of smell is through?
Olfactory nerve
Location of pharynx
Behind nasal cavity and mouth and above oesophagus and larynx.
3 sections of pharynx
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
Function/structure of nasopharynx
- Space above soft palate and back of nose.
- connects nose to mouth
- allows person to breath through nose
- contains adenoid tissue which fights infection
- major drainage for lymphatic fluids.
Structure/function of oropharynx
- accepts air from nasopharynx and passes to laryngeal pharynx
- accepts food from mouth and passes to oesophagus
- prevent food or liquid from entering lungs
Structure/function laryngopharynx
- lined by stratified squamous epithelium
- pass food and air by being a passage
- temporary stops air during swallowing to allow food to pass safely to oesophagus.
Structure of larynx
Thyroid cartilage (hyaline)
Cricoid cartilage (hyaline)
Epiglottis (elastic)
Function of larynx
- allows air to pass through
- keeps food and drink from blocking the airway
- contains vocal folds
Structure/function bronchi
- conducts air to lungs
- no gas exchange takes place here
- less cartilage, more smooth muscle
- branch into smaller secondary branches, these branch into smaller tubes, bronchioles.
Structure of bronchioles
- no cartilage present, smooth muscle dominates
- branch into single layer epithelial cells, alveol
- 3 types; lobular, terminal, respiratory.
Function of bronchiloles
Deliver air to network of millions of alveoli
What lines the walls of bronchioles
Cilia.
Remove debris and microbes.
Where does the gas exchange take place in the respiratory system
Alveoli and capillaries
Structure of alveoli
- millions
- tiny with very thin walls
- large surface area
- well supplied with blood capillaries
What is the pleural cavity
Fluid filed space between 2 pulmonary pleurae
Name of outer pleura and location
Parietal
Attached to thoracic wall (chest)
Name of inner pleura and location
Visceral
Covers lungs, bronchi, blood vessels and nerves.
How many lobes does the right lung consist of?
3
Superior, middle, inferior.
How many lobes does the left lobe consist of?
2
Superior and inferior.
