The Respiratory System Flashcards
How is the respiratory system divided?
- anatomically into upper and lower respiratory tracts
- functionally into conducting portion and respiratory portion
Name the parts of the lower respiratory tract.
- larynx
- trachea
- bronchi
- lungs
What are the functions of the respiratory system?
- main function is ventilation (breathing)
- gas conditioning
- sound production
- olfaction
- defense
What is the upper respiratory tract divided into?
- nose and nasal cavities
- paranasal sinuses
- pharynx
The upper respiratory tract is part of the ______ portion (functional).
respiratory portion
Where is the region that is shared by the respiratory and digestive tracts?
pharynx
What are the 3 divisions of the pharynx?
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- laryngopharynx
Describe the nasopharynx.
- continuous with the nasal cavity and superior to the soft palate
- opening of auditory tubes found in the lateral walls
- posterior nasopharynx wall houses a single pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids)
Describe the oropharynx.
- begins at the end of the soft palate and ends at the level of the hyoid bone
- the palatine tonsils are embedded in the lateral wall between the arches
- the lingual tonsils are at the base of the tongue
Name the parts of the conducting portion of the lower respiratory tract.
- larynx
- trachea
- bronchi
- bronchioles
Name the parts of the respiratory portion of the lower respiratory tract.
- respiratory bronchioles
- alveolar ducts
- alveoli
What does the larynx connect?
pharynx and trachea
What are the 5 functions of the larynx?
- passageway for air
- prevents ingested material from entering the respiratory tract
- produces sound for speech
- assists in increasing pressure in the abdominal cavity
- participates in both a sneeze and cough reflex
What is the largest cartilage in the larynx?
the thyroid cartilage
The larynx has a anterior and lateral wall, but no ______wall.
posterior
What is the laryngeal prominence?
- v-shaped anterior projection
- usually larger in males than females due to testosterone-induced growth
- aka Adam’s apple
What is the cricoid cartilage and where is it found?
ring shaped cartilage found inferior to the thyroid cartilage in the larynx
What is the epiglottis?
- spoon-shaped cartilage that projects superiorly into the pharynx
- swallowing causes the epiglottis to close the opening to the larynx
Where is the trachea located?
- anterior to the esophagus
- inferior to the larynx
- superior to the main bronchi
What are the dimensions of the trachea?
- 2.5 cm in diameter
- 12-14 cm in length
What is the name of the c-shaped cartilage that supports the trachea and what ligaments are they connected by?
- tracheal cartilages
- annular ligaments
What is the bronchial tree?
a highly branched system of air conducting passages that originate from the main bronchi, progressing through narrower tubes before ending in terminal bronchioles
The trachea branches into left and right ____ _____.
main bronchi
Each main bronchus divides into ____ _____.
lobar bronchi
Lobar bronchi divide into ______ _____.
segmental bronchi
All bronchi are lined with ______ ________ _______.
pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Bronchioles are lined with ________.
simple columnar or simple squamous epithelium
As branching of the bronchial tree continues, the following is observed:
- incomplete rings of cartilage become smaller and less numerous
- bronchi branch into bronchioles, which lack rings of cartilage
What is in bronchiole walls that allow for bronchoconstriction and bronchodilation?
a relatively thick layer of smooth muscle
Bronchioles branch into _______ _______ (last part of conducting system).
terminal bronchioles
Terminal bronchioles branch into ______ ______.
respiratory bronchioles
Respiratory bronchioles branch into _____ ______.
alveolar ducts
Alveolar ducts end with _____.
alveoli
What does the thin wall of the alveolus allow for?
the diffusion of respiratory gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the blood and the air in the longs
What is the respiratory membrane?
the diffusion barrier across which respiratory gases are exchanged between the blood and the air in the alveoli
What does the respiratory membrane consist of?
- plasma membrane of the type I alveolar cell
- plasma membrane of the capillary cell
- fused basement membrane of both cells
Where is the base of the lungs?
inferior, rests on diaphragm
Where is the apex of the lungs?
- superior most portion of lung
- projects slightly superior and posterior to the clavicle
Where is the hilum of the lungs?
concave region on the mediastinal surface
What passes in to and out of the hilum?
bronchi, pulmonary veins, lymphatic vessels, and nerves pass in to and out of the lungs through the hilum
Collectively, all structures within the hilum are termed the _____ of the lung.
root
Describe the laryngopharynx.
- narrowed, inferior portion
- from hyoid to near the top of esophagus, posterior to larynx
