The Respiratory System

Question 1

Nasopharynx

Answer 1

the “back of the nose and throat” that leads to the larynx

Question 2

Larynx

Answer 2

Cartilaginous structure that contains the vocal folds

Question 3

Trachea

Answer 3

Midline, non-paired conducting airway

Question 4

Bronchi

Answer 4

Branching airways that contain variable amounts of cartilage

Question 5

Bronchioles

Answer 5

Branching airways that lack cartilage but are surrounded by smooth muscle

Question 6

Alveoli

Answer 6

Delicate, balloon-like structures that are the main sites of gas exchange
- Site of pulmonary microvasculature

Question 7

How is air moved through conducting airways

Answer 7

The skeletal muscles change the volume of the thoracic cavity. This leads to a pressure change. Which leads to air movement through conducting airways

Question 8

What are the conducting airways?

Answer 8

Everything from the Nasopharynx to the terminal bronchiole

Question 9

what is the volume of the conducting airways?

Answer 9

Volume – 150 mL

Question 10

the respiratory or “exchange” zone is?

Answer 10

Diffusion

Question 11

The movement of gas is driven by ________

Answer 11

The movement of gas is driven by concentration gradients

Question 12

The lungs are made up of

Answer 12

1. conducting and exchanging airways
2. pleural space

Question 13

The ventilatory apparatus is made up of? (3)

Answer 13

1. the lungs
2. chest wall
3. muscles (intercostals, scalenes, SCM and Diaphragm)

Question 14

How does inspiration work?

Answer 14

1. the external intercostals and diaphragm contract
   - intercostals move up
   - diaphragm descends with contraction
2. the volume of the thoracic cavity increase
3. drop in intrathoracic pressure
4. drop in pressure of the airspaces of the lungs
5. movement of air from the atmosphere into the lungs

Question 15

How does expiration work?

Answer 15

1. diaphragm (rises) and external intercostals relax
2. the volume of the thoracic cavity decreases
3. the intrathoracic pressure increases
4. airspaces of the lungs increase pressure
5. movement of air from the lungs back to the atmosphere

Question 16

How does the chest wall/diaphragm “connect” to the delicate lungs?

Answer 16

The Pleura/Pleural Cavity
- movements of the chest wall and diaphragm are “tied” to it

Question 17

Does the pleural cavity have a large or small amount of fluid?

Answer 17

small - 10-20 ml

Question 18

What does the fluid in the pleural cavity connect?

Answer 18

the chest wall and delicate alveoli

Question 19

What do movements of the thoracic cage and diaphragm cause?

Answer 19

changes in the pleural cavity pressure which leads to changes in the alveolar pressure

Question 20

How many lobes does the right lung have?

Answer 20

3
superior, middle, and inferior lobe

Question 21

How many lobes does the left lung have?

Answer 21

2
superioer and inferiorer

Question 22

Where is the fissure dividing the superior lobe from the middle lobe (anteriorly) located?

Answer 22

4th rib – 4th intercostal space

Question 23

where is the bifurcation of the trachea located?

Answer 23

under the sternum close to the joint of the 3rd rib

Question 24

• The inferior lobe airspaces descend from the _____ posteriorly to the _____ on deep
  inspiration

Answer 24

10th & 12th

Question 25

Role of Nasal cavity

Answer 25

Warming and moistening of air

Question 26

Role of Larynx

Answer 26

Phonation (speaking) and protection of the airways from food/liquids

Question 27

Fluid in the pleural space =

Answer 27

pleural effusion

Question 28

Causes of unilateral pleural effusion

Answer 28

Cancer, infection (i.e. pneumonia), trauma

Question 29

Causes of bilateral pleural effusion

Answer 29

• Congestion due to heart failure
• Bilateral infection, inflammation

Question 30

What is consolidation

Answer 30

“Gunk” in the airways and
alveoli.

Question 31

Why can you hear a patient speak more clearly while auscultating when they have consolidation?

Answer 31

Fluid in the airspaces transmits sound better than air

Question 32

pathological fluid in large airways =

Answer 32

Coarse crackles

Question 33

pathological fluid in small airways =

Answer 33

Fine crackles

Question 34

When a small airway is narrowed or constricted you will hear a ______

Answer 34

wheeze

Question 35

When a large airway is narrowed or constricted

Answer 35

stridor

Question 36

a stridor sound is

Answer 36

louder, harsher sound on inspiration, sometimes on expiration