The Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the functions of the respiratory system?
- Gas Exchanger (alveoli only)
- Filters
- Influences speech
- Assists in control of body’s acid bace balance
- Makes sense of smell possible
How does the respiratory system function as a gas exchanger?
a) Air must first exchange gases with blood (O2 breathed in, CO2 out)
b) Blood must circulate
c) Finally blood and cells much exchange gases
Why does the respiratory system function as a gas exchanger?
So that O2 can be supplied to, and CO2 can be removed from body’s cells.
How does the respiratory system function as a filter?
- Cleanses the air we breathe
- Warms the air we breathe
- Humidifies the air we breathe
How does the respiratory system influence speech?
Sound production
How does the respiratory system assist in control of body’s acid base balance?
- Lower or decreased CO2 = more alkaline
- Higher or increased CO2 = more acidic
How does the respiratory system make sense of smell possible?
Olfactory receptors in nasal mucosa.
What does the respiratory system consist of?
- The upper respiratory tract
- The lower respiratory tract
- Accessory structures
What are the parts of the upper respiratory tract?
- Nose
- Pharynx
- Sinuses
- Larynx (voice box)
What are the parts of the lower respiratory tract?
- Trachea
- Bronchial Tree
- Lungs
What are the accessory structures of the respiratory system?
- Oral cavity - mouth
- Rib cage
- Diaphragm
What is the main function of the nose?
Passageway for air going to and from the lungs.
Air entering through the nose is?
- Filtered of impurities
- Warmed (mucus and blood)
- Moistened (and lacrimal fluid)
Hollow paranasal sinuses serve as what?
Resonating chambers for speech
What is another name for the pharynx?
Throat
What are the three parts of the pharynx?
- Nasal pharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngeal pharynx
What is the function of the pharynx?
Hallway for respiratory and digestive tracts, since both food and air pass through this structure before reaching appropriate tubes.
What is the pharynx’ role in speech?
By pharynx changing shape, different vowel sounds can be formed.
What does the pharynx take part in?
- Eating
- Breathing
- Talking
What is another name for the larynx?
Voice box
What does the larynx consist of?
9 cartilages
What do the mucous membranes of the larynx do?
- Helps remove dust particles
- Warms air
- Humidifies air