The Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the main function of the respiratory system?
Gas exchange (oxygen intake and carbon dioxide release)
What are the two requirements for gas exchange
Large surface area and a moist environment
Why does a moist environment maximize efficiency of gas exchange?
Gases dissolve in water, diffusion is more effective
What are the four stages of respiration
Breathing (ventilation), External respiration, internal respiration, cellular respiration
What happens in ventilation
Air enters the lungs
What happens in external respiration
Oxygen from the lungs moves into the bloodstream
What happens in internal respiration
Oxygen in bloodstream enters the body’s cells
Cellular respiration
Oxygen is used to help produce energy for the body
Components of the upper respiratory tract
Nasal passages, pharynx, epiglottis, glottis, larynx, and trachea
Role of nasal passage
warms, moistens, and filters incoming air
Role of ciliated cells lining the nasal passage
It sweeps foreign substances back by grabbing onto foreign particles and releasing them when breathing out
Role of mucus in nasal passage
Traps foreign substances and moistens incoming air
What warms incoming air in nasal passage
blood vessels
What is the pharynx also known as
throat
Role of pharynx
passageway for air and food
Role of epiglottis
Flap on top of the trachea that ensures food doesn’t enter it
What is the glottis
opening from pharynx to larynx
What is larynx made up of
Cartilage and contains vocal cords
What is the trachea commonly known as
windpipe
Structure of the trachea
contains semicircular cartilaginous arches that keep it open
Components of lower respiratory tract
Lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli
What is the difference in structure between bronchi and brochioles
bronchi have c-shaped cartilaginous rings, bronchioles doesn’t
Where does the respiratory system end
alveoli
Role of double layered pleural membrane surrounding the lungs
Act as a shock absorber, protects the lungs
Types of cells at alveoli epithelium
Type 1 and type 2 pneumocytes
Describe type 1 and 2 pneumocytes
Type 1 is extremely thin and flat to maximize efficiency of gas exchange. Type 2 is more round, and secretes a phospholipid surfactant which helps maintain structure of alveoli and prevents it from sticking together.
What percentage of alveoli epithelium cells are type one and type two pneumocytes
95% are type 1, 5% are type two
What is respiratory distress symdrome?
It’s a common condition in babies where there is a lack of surfactant, causing alveoli collapse
What are the two muscular structures of the respiratory system
Intercostal muscles (rib muscles) and diaphram
Diaphragm
Dome shaped muscle at the bottom of the thoracic cavity
Where are external intercoatal muscles found
between the ribs
Where are internal intercostal muscles found
On the inside surface of ribs
What are the two groups of antagonistic mucles
abdomen and diaphram & external and internal intercostal muscles
Which muscles contract during inhalation
External intercostal muscles and diaphram
Which muscles contract during exhalation
Internal intercostal muscles and diaphragm
What happens during inhalation
The ribs move up and out as external intercostal muscles contract, inreasing volume and decreasing pressure in the thoracic cavity. This draws air in
What happens during exhalation
The ribs move back down as internal intercostal mucles contract, decreasing volume and increasing pressure in the throacic cavity. This pushes air out
Which conditions cause faster breathing
High CO2 levels and low O2 levels
Epidemiology
The study of incidence and causes of disease
How are epidomiological studies carried out
They’re observational, not experimental
What device mesures respiration
Spirometer
Tidal volume
volume of air inhaled in one breath
What is residual volume
Reserve air that the lungs holds onto (can’t be exhaled out)
