the repsiratory system Flashcards
respiration
exchange of gases between the atmosphere, blood and the
cells. Air is transported from the nasal cavity, down the pharynx, larynx and
trachea and through the bronchioles into the lungs.
functions of the respiratory system
- move air to and from the body
- protects the airways by providing non-specific defences against pathogens
- maintains homeostasis
- speech
quiet breathing vs forced breathing
Quiet breathing:
• Inspiration active (mainly diaphragmatic): shallow breathing involves intercostals.
• Expiration passive: elastic recoil of lungs and pressure from abdominal viscera.
Forced breathing (inspiration and expiration active): • Involves accessory muscles of respiration: need to fix first and last rib. Abdominal muscles, pectoral muscles, postural muscles
Respiratory Mucosa
- Mucous membrane lines any area of the body that is exposed to the external environment.
- pseudostatified ciliated columnar
Nasal Cavity
- It is very vascular (blood sinuses) so it warms the air.
• Glands moisten the area.
• Cleans and filters by cillia, mucus and hairs.
Pharynx
Consists of the nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx.
- They serve as pathways for the movement of food, liquid and air from the mouth
Larynx
- epiglottis
- larynx
trachea
respiratory epithelium
Lungs
Have two completely separate independently functioning structures (3 right lobes and 2 left lobes).
Pleura
Pleura is a double-sided thin membrane which surrounds the lungs and ribs
Bronchial tree and alveoli
Primary bronchi > secondary bronchi > tertiary bronchi > terminal bronchioles > respiratory bronchioles > alveolar duct > alveolar duct > alveolar sac > alveolus.
Ventilation
refers to the removal of CO2.
Perfusion
refers to the intake of O2
alveolar gas exchange
Oxygen in the alveolus must pass through the respiratory membrane to the blood stream. The CO2 in the blood must travel through the respiratory membrane to be expired.
- Oxygen diffuses into a layer of water inside the alveolus which passesthrough the cell membranes into the blood stream.
factors effecting alevolar gas exchange
- gas flows in the correct direction
- solubility
- respiratory membrane thickness
- ventilation perfusion coupling
regulation of blood pH
bicarbonate buffer system hydrates CO2 to form carbonic acid that dissociates into H+ and HCO3
bicarbonate buffer equation
H2O + CO2 ⟷ H2CO3 ⟷ HCO3- + H+
An increase in H+ concentration is a decrease in pH (acidic environment).
- A decrease in H+ concentration is an increase in pH (alkalic environment).
Buffer:
chemical substance or system that minimises changes in pH by releasing or binding H+ ions
Blood pH is regulated sequentially by
- Chemical buffers
- Respiratory centres
- Renal mechanisms
Pulmonary circulation
98% of the blood which delivers venous blood to be oxygenated
Bronchial circulation
2% which delivers systemic blood to lung tissues.
Pulmonary arteries
run alongside the air passageways to removing deoxygenated blood from the heart.
Pulmonary veins
surrounded by alveoli and transport oxygenated blood back to the heart
breathing
mechanical process which moves air into and out of the lungs via the diaphragm. It is a passive process that occurs in response to the rhythmically changing volume of the thoracic cavity.