The respiratory system

Question 1

What are the main roles of the respiratory system?

Answer 1

1) To import oxygen from the atmosphere into the body where it will be used by the body’s cells to produce energy (from food metabolisation) in the different organs (to allow them to function correctly) and
2) to eliminate CO2 a waste product of the cells’ metabolism

Question 2

What is the pleural cavity?

Answer 2

the thin fluid-filled space between the two visceral and parietal pleurae of each lung

Question 3

What is inspiration?

Answer 3

the inspiratory muscles contract, the chest walls expands causing the lungs to expand.

Question 4

What is expiration?

Answer 4

Quiet expiration- relaxation of the inspiratory muscles which allow the lungs and chest walls to recoil in their original position
active expiration- simultaneous contraction of the expiratory muscles and relaxation of the inspiratory muscles

Question 5

What us the purpose of cartilage rings?

Answer 5

prevents collapse

Question 6

What are the three ways in which mucus can be eliminated once it reaches the glottis and pharynx?

Answer 6

1) The digestive system- swallowing
2) The mouth- coughing and spitting
3) The nasal cavity- nose blowing

Question 7

What is tidal volume?

Answer 7

volume of air displaced between normal inhalation and exhalation at rest

Question 8

What is inspiratory reserve volume?

Answer 8

maximum volume of air that can be inhaled after normal inhalation

Question 9

What is expiratory reserve volume?

Answer 9

maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after normal expiration

Question 10

What is residual volume?

Answer 10

volume of air remaining in the lung after maximum expiration

Question 11

What part of lung does asthma affect?

Answer 11

lower bronchioles with little cartilage- the muscle contracts and tighten so they are partially blocked

Question 12

What happens when you have asthma?

Answer 12

• smooth muscle constriction
• thickening of the airway wall
• over production of thick mucus
• inflammation: recruitment of immune cells

Question 13

How do you diagnose asthma?

Answer 13

• tests to measure the lung function such as spirometry
• look at sputum to test for the presence of immune cells
• imaging test- x ray

Question 14

What are the treatments for asthma?

Answer 14

• Short-acting beta-agonists
• long-acting beta-agonists
• sterioids