The Respiratory System Flashcards
What does the upper respiratory tract consist of?
Nose
Pharynx
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharyx
Larynx
What does the lower respiratory tract consist of?
Trachea
Bronchial tubes
Alveoli
Lungs
What is the respiratory function of the nose?
1st passage of inspired air
Air is warmed, moistened, filtered
What is the role of the nasopharynx?
connect your nasal passages to the rest of your respiratory system
what is the role of the oropharynx?
allows air, food and fluid to pass through
what is the role of the larynx?
protect the lower respiratory tract from aspirating food into the trachea while breathing
what is the role of the trachea?
carry air in and out of your lungs.
what is the role of the bronchi?
distribute the air throughout the lungs until reaching the respiratory bronchioles and alveolar sacs
what is the role of the alveoli?
Where gaseous exchange occurs
What are the mechanics of respiration like?
Flattening of diaphragm increases lung volume
This causes a drop in airway pressure
Air rushes in to fill the vacuum
Lungs expand
What is lung volume?
The amount of air that has filled the lungs
What is tidal volume?
Amount of it that moves into the lung in one respiratory cycle
What is functional residual volume (FRC)?
The amount of air left in the lungs at the end of expiration
What is inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)?
Extra volume of air above normal TV that can be inhaled into the lungs during maximal inspiration
What happens during gaseous exchange?
During gas exchange oxygen moves from the lungs to the bloodstream. At the same time carbon dioxide passes from the blood to the lungs. This happens in the lungs between the alveoli and a network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries, which are located in the walls of the alveoli.
