The respiratory system Flashcards
What are the functions of the respiratory system
The respiratory system is primarily responsible of gas exchange but also has a role in vocalisation, olfacation (sense of smell) and immunity
What makes up the upper respiratory tract
The upper respiratory tract is made up of the nose, nasal cavity and the pharynx (throat)
What makes up the lower respiratory tract
The lower respiratory tract is made up of the larynx (voice box), trachea, and lungs
What is the structure and function of the nose
The nose is cartilage covered in skin. It has two nares that have hair projecting inwards to filter particles from air
What is the structure and function of the nasal cavity
The nasal cavity is the space behind the nose which has three nasal conchae that warm air
What is the structure and function of the pharynx
The pharynx is the throat which is a passage for air, food and water
What is olfaction
Olfaction is the sense of smell. Sensory cells embedded in the olfactory membrane in the nasal cavity interact with aroma molecules to perceive smells. Sense of taste is also linked to olfaction, which is why both are impaired when there is a respiratory tract infection.
How is olfaction impacted by pregnancy
Olfaction and sense of taste are enhanced during pregnancy inducing nausea
What is the structure and function of the larynx
The larynx is the voice box which is made of nine fused pieces of cartilage including the adams apple and the epiglottis which closes the airway when food and fluid is swallowed
What is the structure and function of the trachea
The trachea carries air to the lungs. It is held open by a c shaped ring of cartilage which is lined by ciliated epithelium that bats dust and particles away ( known as the mucocilliary escalator).
What is bordetella pertussis
Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough which is a condition that infects and damaged ciliated cell lining the respiratory tract making it difficult to clear mucus which causes coughing fits.
What is the structure of the lobes of the lungs
The right lungs has three lobes the superior, middle and inferior. The left lung has two lobes the superior and inferior as the heart occupies the middle lobe space
What is the structure of the bronchi and bronchial tree
The trachea divides into two bronchi which divide over and over eventually ending in alveoli
What is the structure and function of the alveoli
The alevoli are elastic air sacs that inflate during inspiration allowing 02 to diffuse into the RBC of the surrounding capillary networks. They have thin walls, macrophages which remove particles and surfactant secreting cells which allow them to inflate.
What is respiratory distress syndrome
Surfactant is produced in babies at 24 weeks so therefore premature babies may struggles to inflate their lungs causing respiratory distress syndrome.
