structure and function Flashcards
what are the two major tasks of the respiratory system?
external and internal respiration
what is external respiration?
exchanging air b/w the body and outside environment
what is internal respiration?
bringing oxygen into the cells and removing carbon dioxide from them
what happens during inspiration?
aka inhalation, air from the outside environment enters the nose/mouth
what is the nose also called?
external nares
what is the nose divided into?
into two halves by the nasal septum
what does the nose contain that warms air?
paranasal sinuses
what is cilia?
responsible for filtering out foreign bodies in the nose
what is the throat also called?
the pharynx
what is the function of the pharynx?
passageway for both air and food
what are the three sections of the pharynx?
nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx
what is the epiglottis?
a moveable flap of cartilage that covers the opening to the larynx (voice box) & prevents food from entering it during swallowing
what technique prevents people from choking to death?
abdominal thrust
what is the larynx?
a passageway to the trachea and the area where sounds are produced
what determines the pitch of sound?
the size and thickness of vocal cords
what makes a high pitch?
short and thin cords
what makes a low pitch?
thick and long cords
what is the glottis?
part of the larynx consisting of the vocal cords
what are false vocal folds?
close airway during swallowing
what are true vocal folds?
produce sound
what is the windpipe also known as?
the trachea
what is the function of the trachea?
connects the larynx to the right and lift bronchi
what is the mediastinum?
the point at which the trachea divides into the right and left bronchi
what happens during internal respiration?
air from the bronchi travels to the bronchioles, then to tiny air sacs (alveoli) which connect to lung capillaries
