structures and functions Flashcards
ribs
set of bones that protect (create a cage around) the heart and lungs
intercostal muscles
muscles located between the ribs
contract (shorten) to pull the ribcage up and open during inhalation
relax to allow the ribcage to close again during exhalation
alveoli
microscopic air sacs that inflate when we inhale
like a cluster of grapes at the ends of the bronchioles
175 million of them per lung
site of gas exchange
wrapped in blood capillaries
surrounded by tissue enriched in elastin fibers
have cells that produce surfactant
why are there so many alveoli??
there is more space for gas exchange since they have a large surface area
why are alveoli wrapped in blood capillaries?
they let O2 and CO2 diffuse between the respiratory system and the circulatory system
why is surfactant in the alveoli important?
prevents friction and alveoli don’t stick together
larynx
top of trachea, below glottis
the voice box (houses vocal chords)
made of thick, tough cartilage
tissue stretched across the opening vibrates with exhalation to create sound
muscles alongside control tension of the chords
pitch is controlled by tension in the vocal chords
volume is controlled by pressure of the lungs blowing across vocal chords
what infection or inflammation of the vocal chords
laryngitis
trachea
the windpipe
rigid air tube due to C shaped rings of cartilage (helps maintain an open airway)
C’s are open to the back (esophagus can expand and the trachea can support effective movement of air and food)
lined with cilia that sweeps mucus and trapped mucus upwards to the throat (sweeps mucus to the esophagus)
substances in cigarette smoke paralyze the cilia, why is this problematic?
it can lead to the build up of mucus and bad debris in the system
thoracic cavity
cavity where the heart and lungs are found
why are the heart and lungs located so close to each other
the heart and lungs have blood vessels that connect the two and allows exchange of oxygen and CO2 to get to the blood (c.s doesn’t work so hard)
diaphragm
thick, dome shaped muscles that controls breathing
contracts and moves downward to increase the volume in the ribcage during inhalation
relaxes and moves upward to decrease the volume in the ribcage during exhalation
capillaries
small diameter blood vessels
one cell layer thick; can get into the tightest of places
thinness allows for exchange of gas, nutrients, and waste between blood and tissues
red blood cells move through single file bc so small
surround the alveoli so O2 goes in and CO2 goes out
pleurae
membranes that surround the lungs
secrete a fluid to reduce friction around the lungs
pleurae space: space between the two membranes
bronchi
the trachea divides into 2 tubes at the center of the chest
one of these go into each lung
have cartilage rings
lined with cilia to remove mucus
branch in tree-like fashion into smaller tubes
are surrounded by involuntary smooth muscles that contracts and dilates (regulates air flow, when they contract they narrow and slow the flow down- helps with coughing)
inflammation of bronchi from virus/bacterial infections is…
bronchitis
bronchioles
thin tubes that are subdivisions of the bronchi
thinner walls, less cartilage (not as rigid in structure)
pharynx
the throat
common space where nasal cavity, mouth, esophagus, and trachea all meet
passage for food and air
nasal cavity
lined with mucus membranes that humidify the air and mucus catches dirt, dust, germs
have cilia that beat in one direction moving particles to the back of the throat for swallowing
contain many capillaries that warm air for better gas exchange
what condition is caused by damaged capillaries in the nasal cavity?
nose bleed!
glottis
opening of the trachea; slit between the vocal chords
epiglottis
“epi” means over
covers the glottis
covers trachea when swallowing so food doesn’t enter
nostrils
take in air
have hairs that filters dust, germs, and allergens
what happens when the particles in the nostrils move the hair? why is this helpful?
sneeze
gets rid of dangerous particles that shouldn’t go in the lungs
soft palate
soft part in the back of the mouth
pushes back to close off nasal passages when swallowing
closes off the esophagus while breathing
sinus
cavities or hole in the skull(8)
they are lined with mucus membranes and have cilia
prone to infection
why are sinuses prone to infection?
when the get inflamed the mucus gets trapped and bacteria can grow
hard palate
bony plate at the roof of the mouth
keeps food out of the nasal cavity
what condition occurs when the hard palates don’t fuse properly in early development? what would this affect?
clef palate
eating, speech, breathing
