Topic 2: Respiratory System Flashcards
Describe the pathway of inhaled air from the point of inhalation until it reaches the alveoli of the lungs
- Nose/mouth 2. Pharynx 3. Larynx 4. Trachea/wind pipe 5. Bronchi 6. Bronchioles 7. Alveoli
What’s the name of the thorax in the midline that separates the 2 lungs and contains the other major thoracic structures?
The mediastinum is the thorax in the midline that separates the 2 lungs and contains the other major thoracic structures. The mediastinum contains the heart, major blood vessels, esophagus and trachea.
Describe the costochondral joints
The costochondral joints are joints of the thoracic wall that connect the sternal ends of the ribs and their respective costal cartilages. They are structurally classified as primary cartilaginous joints (synchondrosis) in which bones are joined by hyaline cartilage. There are ten pairs of costochondral joints between ribs 1-10 and their respective costal cartilages.
What is the trachea?
Trachea is a membranous tube, reinforced by 15-20 C-shaped rings of cartilage. The rigid cartilage rings maintain an open airway. It can constrict to aid coughing and the removal of mucus from the respiratory system. It branches to form the bronchi.
What are bronchioles?
Bronchioles are the minute branches that the bronchus divides into. They are tiny branches of air tubes within the lungs. The branchioles connect to the alveoli
The right lung has a cardiac notch to accommodate the heart
True or false
False
The left lung has a cardiac notch to accommodate the heart
Name the thoracic joints
- Sternoclavicular joint 2. Sternocostal joint 3. Interchondral joint 4. Costovertebral & costotransverse joints 5. Costochondral joints
What is the dual role of the pharynx?
Pharynx is a cone shaped passageway leading from the oral and nasal cavaties in the head of the esophagus and the larynx. The pharynx chamber serves both respiratory and digestive functions It channels air into the respiratory system (larynx) and food into the digestive system (esophagus)
Which dimensions can the thoracic wall move in?
During inspiration, the lateral dimensions of the thoracic cavity are increased by ribs 7-10 moving laterally (bucket handle) = horizontal dimension (width) The vertical dimension (height) of the thorax increases during inspiration, due to the diaphragm descending as it contracts. The anterior/posterior dimension (depth) of the thorax increases when the rib elevators contract. More noticeable in ribs 2-6, where the elevation of the sternum ends of the ribs is the pump-handle
Describe the differences in breath timing between quiet breathing and breathing for speech.
Breathing during speech involves: 10%inhaling, 90% exhaling - quick inspirations - slow expirations - the respiratory system acting as a bidirectional air pump - many bones, muscles and tissue as as well as the lungs themselves Speech is produced on exhaled air. Speaking at moderate loudness uses approx same volume of air as normal resting breathing, although with an extended exhalation phase.
How many types of ribs are there and which numbers are each?
3 types 1. True - ribs 1-7. Costal cartilage attach directly to the sternum 2. False - ribs 8-10. Costal cartilages join to the rib superior to them, so they are indirectly attached to the sternum. 3. Floating - ribs 11-12. Don’t attach to the sternum at all
What is the manubrium?
The manubrium is the broad upper part of the sternum. Parts of the sternum: 1. Manubrium 2. Body 3. Xiphoid process 4. Sternum angle 5. Suprasternal notch /jugular notch 6. Clavicular notch 7. Costal notches 8. First rib
Which is the only muscle used during quiet respiration?
The diaphragm
Name which part of the rib is involved in:
- the costotransverse joint
- the costovertebral joint
Costotransverse joint - the name of the joint between the tubercle of the rib and a vertebra Costovertebral joint - the name of the joint between the head of a rib and a vertebra
Describe the parts of the sternum
Manubrium (superiorly) Body (middle) Xiphoid process (cartilage inferiorly) Costal notches Supersternal notch
The levator costarum muscles are active in forced expiration
True or false
True As are the diaphragm, external intercostal muscles, scalenes
There are 12 true ribs plus 2 floating ribs
True or false
False Ribs 1-7 true ribs 8-10 false ribs 11-12 floating ribs
The manubrium is part of the sternum?
True or false
True The sternum is made up of the manubrium superiorly, the body in the middle and the diploid process inferiorly
What is the name of the joint between a rib and the sternum?
Sternocostal joints are the joints between a rib and the sternum
What bones make up the thoracic skeleton?
What is the name of a joint between the head of a rib and a vertebra?
What is the name of a joint between the tubercle of the rib and a vertebra?
Bones of the thoracic skeleton: Vertebrae Sternum Ribs The name of a joint between the head of a rib and a vertebra is the costovertebral joint. The name of a joint between the tubercle of the rib and a vertebra is the costotransverse joint.
Where would you find the xiphoid process?
- The xiphoid process is the smallest region of the sternum
- It is cartilage at birth and develops into bone as age
- Located where the lower ribs attach to the breastbone
- The tip of the xiphoid process resembles a sword
Describe articulations of the following joints:
- Costovertebral
- Costotransverse
- Sternocostal
- Sternoclavicular
- Costochondral
- Interchondral
COSTOVERTEBRAL- formed by each vertebra having a facet on the body of the head of the rib to join (articulate) with COSTOTRANSVERSE- formed by a facet on the transverse process for the tubercle of the rib to join with STERNOCOSTAL- where the costal cartilages of the first 7 pairs of ribs join with the sternum STERNOCLAVICULAR- the joint between the manubrium of the sternum and the clavicle bone. COSTOCHONDRAL- the joints between the ribs and the costal cartilages in the front of the rib cage INTERCHONDRAL- the joints formed between the costal cartilages of the ribs
Name the muscles which elevate the ribs for inspiration
The following muscles assist forced inspiration by elevating the ribs, thus increasing the thoracic volume and aiding inspiration of air: - the diaphragm - the external intercostal muscles - scalenes - levator costarum - serrated posterior superior - sternocleidomastoid - pectoral girdle muscles
Name the 2 pleural membranes or pleurae.
Which pleura is the outermost one?
Visceral pleura - in contact with the lung Parietal pleura - outer membrane
When we breathe IN we can expand the thorax in only 2 dimensions: superior-inferior, and antero-posterior.
True or false
False When we breathe in normally, it only requires an increase in the vertical dimension of the thorax. Primary muscle is diaphragm Forced inspiration - additional muscles are involved in order to increase both the rate of inspiration and the volume of air inspired during each breath. Diaphragm is still primary muscle but also the external intercostal muscles. Forced expiration uses the internal intercostal muscles
Name the parts of the sternum
Parts of the sternum (breast bone): - manubrium (superiorly) - body (middle) - xiphoid process (cartilage inferiorly) - costal notches - suprasternal notch
Which lung has 3 separate lobes and what are they called?
Right lung has 3 lobes:
- superior lobe
- middle lobe
- inferior lobe
Left lung has 2 lobes:
- Superior lobe (also has lingular (tongue) at bottom due to pressure from the heart
- Inferior lobe
The costal cartilages of how many ribs articulate with the sternum?
Ribs 1-7 have costal cartilages that articulate with the sternum.
The diaphragm is the major muscle of exhalation
True or false
False Expiration doesn’t require muscle contraction. Once inspiration has ceased, restorative forces begin to reduce thoracic volume and increase pressure on the lungs and as a result, air will be pushed out of the lungs. Restorative forces include - abdominal organs pushing upwards on the diaphragm - elastic lungs recoiling - diaphragm relaxing and resuming its dome shape - ribs recoil from an expanded position Forced expiration uses internal intercostal muscles to depress the ribs and decrease thoracic dimensions
The tubercle is the same as the head of the rib
True or false
False
- The ribs have a:
- Head that articulates with the vertebral body
- Tubercle that articulates with the transverse process of the vertebra
- Angle where the rib changes direction to curve around
- Body that is the shaft of the rib
The internal intercostal muscles assist with breathing IN?
True or false
False Internal intercostal muscles depress ribs for expiration (forced expiration) External intercostal muscles elevate ribs for inspiration (forced inspiration)
What is the pump-handle movement of the ribs?
What is bucket-handle movement of the ribs?
- Pump-handle movement of the ribs is movement at costovertebral joints 2-6 in raising and lowering the sternum end of the rib
- Bucket handle movement of the rib is movement at costovertebral joints 7-10 in raising and lowering the middle of the rib
The sternoclavicular joint articulates the sternum with the xiphoid process
True or false
False The sternoclavicular joint articulates the sternum with the clavicle. Ribs & thoracic vertebrae (costovertebral joints) Sternum & costal cartilages (sternocostal joints) Ribs & costal cartilages (costochondral joints) Costal cartilages (interchondral joints)
What’s the difference between visceral and parietal pleurae?
Where would you find pleural fluid?
Visceral pleurae - the membrane layer in contact with the lungs Parietal pleurae - the outer layer not in contact with the lungs Pleurae fluid - the fluid between the visceral and parietal pleurae. It provides lubrication and allows the 2 layers to slide against one another without friction.
When the diaphragm is contracted it is fully raised
True or false
False The height of the thorax increases during inspiration. This is due to the diaphragm descending as it contracts.
What is the difference between false ribs and floating ribs?
Ribs 8-10 are false ribs because their costal cartilages join to the rib superior to them, so they indirectly attach to the sternum. Ribs 11-12 are floating ribs because they do not attach to the sternum at all Ribs 1-7 are true ribs because their costal cartilages attach directly to the sternum.
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
How many ribs are there?
There are 12 thoracic vertebrae which join/articulate with 12 ribs on each side There are 12 ribs on each side 1-7 true, 8-10 false, 11-12 floating
The serratus posterior inferior muscle is most likely involved in:
- quiet respiration
- quiet expiration
- forced inspiration
- forced expiration
- none of the above
D) the serratus posterior inferior depress the ribs in forced expiration Also internal intercostal muscles depress the ribs and decrease the thoracic dimensions and the anterior abdominal wall muscles increase intra-abdominal pressure and decrease vertical dimension of the thorax.
What is the intercostal space?
Intercostal space is the space between 2 ribs. 12 ribs = 11 intercostal spaces
The membrane layer in contact with the lung is called the visceral pleura
True or false
True The membrane in contact with the the organ is called the visceral layer. The pleura in contact with the lung is called the visceral pleura. The layer not in contact with the lung is called the parietal pleura. Between the 2 pleura is the pleural fluid.
Identify the key structures on a thoracic vertebra
Key structures on a thoracic vertebra: - costovertebral joint - costotransverse joint - spinous process - transverse process - body of the vertebrae - vertebral foramen to house the spinal cord
The diaphragm contracts superiorly (in an upward direction).
True or false
False. The diaphragm contracts in a descending direction
During forced respiration, the sternum moves like a pump handle
Describe how this movement relates to the process of respiration.
In forced respiration, the sternum moves like a pump handle.
The depth of the thorax increases considerable when the rib elevators contract. The elevation of the sternum ends of the ribs is called the pump handle movement.
BOYLES LAW - increase volume of a chamber in which gas is contained = pressure decreased Decrease in volume of the chamber = pressure increased
The trachea branches to form what?
The trachea branches to form the bronchi
The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood back to the heart to be transported around the rest of the body.
True or false
True The pulmonary veins carry richly oxygenated blood back to the heart to be transported around the rest of the body. The pulmonary artery supplies the lung with blood. Each lung has 1. It carries poorly oxygenated blood to the lungs to be oxygenated
What are alveoli and how many are there?
Alveoli are air sacs, attached to the bronchioles. They have very thin walls for efficient gas exchange It’s here that oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood to the alveoli to be breathed out
Each
During forced respiration, the ribs move like handles on a bucket.
Describe what this bucket handle motion achieves in terms of respiration
During forced respiration, the ribs move just like the handles of a bucket. This means that the horizontal dimensions (width) of the thorax increases slightly when the intercostal muscles contract. This raises the middle parts of the ribs, assisting forced inspiration by elevating the ribs, thus increasing volume and aiding inspiration of air
