The Respiratory System Flashcards
What antibacterial enzyme do nasal secretions contain?
Lysozyme
Why is the nose and nasal cavity lined with mucous membranes and hair?
It traps debris which precents it from reaching the lungs.
Where is the pharynx located?
to the top of the trachea and oesophagus.
What is the epiglottis?
It is a flap of elastic cartilage, it covers the oesoghagus to guide air into the trachea.
What is the epiglottis?
It is a flap of elastic cartilage, it covers the oesoghagus to guide air into the trachea.
What happens to the epigolttis when swallowing?
The epiglottis covers the larynx to prevent food from entering it.
What is the larynx?
It is a (nine) cartilage box-like structure that joins the pharynx and trachea, which is the entrance to the trachea and lungs.
Why is the larynx also known as the voice box?
It contains vocal cords (mucous membranes) that are able to vibrate as air passes over them.
What is the function of the trachea?
To carry the air into and out of the lungs.
What is the strcutre of the trachea?
It is made up of C-shaped cartilage rings that hold the structure open. (Ensures that air can always pass through it).
It splits into two branches, each one going into a lung.
What does the EPITHELIAL lining of the trachea do?
It produces mucus, that is able to trap dust and debris.
- Prevents dust and debris from entering the lungs.
- The cilia lining the trachea move in a wave-like motion to take the mucus and debris up to the pharynx so that it can be swallowed and digested.
Where are the bronchi located?
They are located on the end of the trachea.
What is the structure of the bronchi?
Trachea = two primary bronchi = secondary bronchi = tertiary bronchi = bronchioles = terminal bronchioles
What structure do bronchi have that is similar to the trachea?
The Bronchi have similar C-shaped cartilage rings.
How are bronchioles formed?
Thought the division of tertiary bronchi.
What do bronchioles divide into?
Terminal bronchioles (millions).
Do bronchioles contain cartilage?
No, they are made of smooth muscle and elastin.
Why are the bronchioles made of smooth muscle and elastin?
It is to allow the bronchioles to control the flow of air in the lungs, expanding when the body needs more oxygen.
What are cilia and mucus present in the bronchioles?
They continue the protection of the lungs from contaminants.
What is the name of the space between each lung and occupied with?
It is the mediastinum and it is occupied by the heart and blood vessels.
What is the membrane covering of the lungs and why?
It’s called the pleura, lining the inside of the chest wall. It allows or the lungs to slide along the wall when breathing.
What is the alveoli?
It is the smallest bronchioles that open into clusters of tiny air sacs.
Why is each alvelous have a wall of one cell thickness?
It is a good surface for gaseous exchange, as it also surrounded by a network o blood capillaries.
What is the gas exchange that happens in the alveoli?
Oxygen passes from the airways into the blood and carbon dioxide to pass from the blood into the airways.
What is ventilation?
It is the process by which air is moved into and out of the lungs.
What places does air flow to?
Flows from places of high pressure to places of low pressure.
(Air flows in and out of the lungs due to the differences in air pressure).
What is external respiration?
It is the movement of O2 and CO2 between the lungs and the bloodstream.
What is internal respiration?
It is the exchange of O2 and CO2 between the blood and tissues.
What is inspiration and what can it also be called?
It is the process of taking air into the lungs.
It can also be called inhalation.
What needs to happen for air to flow into the lungs?
The pressure of air in the lungs must be LESS than the atmospheric pressure outside the body.
Decreasing the pressure of air in the lungs = increasing the volume of the lungs/
- The diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract.
How is the volume of the chest cavity increased?
The diaphragm becomes flatter and the rib cage moves upwards and outwards.
