Structures of the Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the first 4 structures of the respiratory system, beginning at the nose.
Nasal cavity and nasopharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
What is the nasopharynx?
The “back of the nose an throat” that leads to the larynx
What is the larynx?
Cartilaginous structure that contains the vocal folds
What is the trachea?
Midline, non-paired conducting airway
What is the bronchi?
Branching airways that contain variable amounts of cartilage
What are the brochioles?
Branching airways that lack cartilage but are surrounded by smooth muscle
What are the aveoli?
Delicate, balloon-like structures that are main sites of gas exchange.
Where does pulmonary microvasculature happen?
In the aveoli
During diffusion.
What process regulates resistance, and thus pressure, in pulmonary circulation?
Pulmonary microvasculature
What is the movement of gas driven by?
Pressure gradients
True or false. Diffusion is the major driving force in ventilation.
False. Pressure gradients
During ventilation, what muscles change the volume of the thoracic cavity?
Skeletal muscles
Ventilation or diffusion. The conducting airways are the nasopharynx and the terminal bronchiole.
Ventilation
True or false. Ventilation is also known as the exchange zone.
False. Diffusion is known as the exchange zone.
Ventilation is known as the conducting zone.
In diffusion, what is the movement of gas driven by?
Concentration gradients
True or false. There is one large structure of the lung that occupies the majority of the lung volume.
False. Many small structures.
Respiratory bronchiole, alveoli
What is the volume after a quiet inspiration?
3L
Which structure is responsible for gas exchange?
The alveolus
Which 3 structures make up the ventilatory apparatus?
Lungs, chest wall, muscles
What are the 4 muscles that make up the chest wall?
intercostals, scalenes, SCM, diaphragm
What does SCM stand for?
sternocleidomastoid
In the ventilatory apparatus, the ____________ change the volume of the ___________/_____________. Then the _____________ changes and the pressure changes in the __________.
In the ventilatory apparatus, the MUSCLES change the volume of the CHEST WALL/THORACIC SPACE. Then the VOLUME changes and the pressure changes in the LUNG.
Which 2 muscles contract during inspiration?
The external intercostals and diaphram
During inspiration, in which direction do the ribs move?
Up and out
Which muscle descends with contraction during inspiration?
Diaphragm
As the volume of the thoracic cavity increases, does the intrathoracic pressure increase or decrease?
Decrease
During inspiration, does the intrathoracic pressure rise or drop?
Drop
During inspiration, does the pressure in the airspaces of the lungs rise or drop?
Drop
Which 2 muscles relax during expiration?
Diaphragm and external intercostals
During expiration, in what direction do the ribs move?
Down and in
During expiration, what happens to the diaphragm?
It rises on relaxation
During expiration, does the volume of the thoracic cavity increase or decrease?
Decrease
During expiration, does the intrathoracic pressure increase or decrease?
Increase
During expiration, does the pressure of the airspace of the lungs increase or decrease?
Increase
Which cavity are movements of the chest wall and diaphragm “tied to”?
Pleural cavity
How do the chest wall/diaphragm “connect” to the delicate lungs?
The pleura
How much fluid is found in the pleural cavity? Is this a large or small amount?
10-20 mL, very small amount
True or false. The fluid “connects” the chest wall to the delicate alveoli
True
True or false. As the thoracic cage and diaphragm move, this causes changes in the pleural cavity pressure, creating no change in the alveolar.
False. As the thoracic cage and diaphragm move, this causes changes in the pleural cavity pressure, creating CHANGE in the alveolar.
Which fissure divides the superior lobe from the middle lobe, anteriorly?
4th rib - 4th intercostal space
What is bifurcation?
The division of something into two branches or parts
Where is bifurcation of the trachea located?
Under the sternum close to the joint of the 3rd rib
True or False. The vast majority of the lung tissue deep to the posterior thorax is the middle lobe.
False. The vast majority of the lung tissue deep to the posterior thorax is the INFERIOR lobe.
Where does the inferior lobe airspaces descend from?
The 10th rib posteriorly to the 12th on deep inspiration.
Who’s role?
Warming and moistening of air.
Nasal cavity
Who’s role?
Phonation (speaking) and protection of the airways from food/liquids.
Larynx
Define pleural effusion.
Fluid in the pleural space.
What is it called when there is fluid in the pleural space?
Pleural effusion.
True or false. During pleural effusion, the airspaces go loose, causing hyperplasia.
False. During pleural effusion, it is difficult for the airspaces to expand.
True or false. During pleural effusion, it is difficult to hear breath sounds, lungs are dull to percussion.
True. The fluid is “in the way” of auscultation and the echo from percussion
Name 3 causes of unilateral pleural effusion.
Cancer, infection (i.e. pneumonia), trauma
Name 3 causes of bilateral pleural effusion.
Congestion due to heart failure, bilateral infection, inflammation.
What is consolidation?
“Gunk” in the airways and aveoli.
What is it called when there is “gunk” in the airways and aveoli?
Consolidation
True or False. During consolidation, fluid in the airways transmits sound better than air.
True. You can hear the patient speak more clearly while auscultating the lungs
What is it called to hear abnormal transmission of voice sounds from the lungs or bronchi? When auscultating over the large airways, the spoken words can be heard louder and clearer, compared to the peripheral airways.
Bronchophony
True or false. During consolidation, lungs are dull to percussion.
True.
What do coarse crackles mean during lung auscultation?
Pathological fluid is in the large airways
True or false. During auscultation of consolidation, you will hear increased breath sounds and/or crackles.
False. During bronchophony of consolidation, you will hear DECREASED breath sounds and/or crackles.
True or false. When you hear fine crackles, there is pathological fluid in the smaller airways.
True
True or false.
Most causes of consolidation are infectious.
True.
What are 2 infections that cause consolidation?
Pneumonia and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Which pathology are “fine crackles” often heard?
Pulmonary edema due to infection or congestive heart failure
Sometimes heard when small airways “snap” open during some types of COPD
True or false. When a large airway is narrowed or constricted, you hear a high-pitched, musical sound on expiration.
False. When a small airway is narrowed or constricted, you hear a high-pitched, musical sound on expiration.
What is a wheeze?
A high-pitched, musical sound on expiration
In which kind of diseases are wheezes common?
Obstructive diseases. Ex: Asthma, COPD, pulmonary edema when fluid collects in the respiratory and terminal bronchioles.
True or false. When a large airway is narrowed or constricted, you hear a louder, harsher sound on inspiration and sometimes on expiration.
True.
Define stridor.
A loud, harsh sound on inspiration and sometimes on expiration
When does stridor occur?
When the upper airways (trachea and above) are obstructed due to infection, trauma, or a foreign body getting “stuck” (aspiration)
How could you describe a rhonchi sound in the lung?
Low-pitched, continuous, like snoring.
What causes rhonchi sounds?
Secretions in the airways
What is a pleural rub?
Inflammation of the lung surfaces sliding across themselves.
Resembles crackling sounds
What is egophony?
Voice sound that can be heard during auscultation, when lung consolidation is present. Hearing “A” instead of “E” on auscultation suggests consolidation.
What words are typically used to test for bronchophony?
Ninety-nine
