Unit 14: Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the 2 subdivisions of the respiratory system and what are they composed of?
Upper: nose, nasal cavity, pharynx
Lower: larynx, trachea, bronchial tree, lungs
What makes up the mucosa of the respiratory tract?
Ciliated pseudostratified epithelium, with goblet cells sitting on the lamina propria. Goblet cells secret mucous and cilia sweep mucous to esophagus
What are the main functions of the nasal cavity?
Airway passage, olfaction (smell), speech (resonance chamber)
What is the vestibular area of the nasal cavity?
The anterior region, with no mucosa; lined by thin skin with filtering hairs
Describe the respiratory area of the nasal cavity
It is the posterior region, with conchae (superior, middle, inferior) protruding medially from the lateral walls of the nasal cavity. Air passes through nasal meatuses (channels) which helps humidify and filter out dust/pollen. Nasolacrimal duct connects the medial region of eye to the inferior nasal meatus.
Where are the smell receptors in the nasal cavity?
The olefactory area, which is found in the roof of the nasal cavity
What are paranasal sinuses?
8 air-filled spaces in the skull which open directly into the nasal cavity; they serve to warm and moisten the air. They can become inflamed with infection (sinusitis)
What are the 3 regions of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
Which region of the pharynx contains the pharyngeal tonsil, and both nasal apertures and pharyngotympanic (auditory) tubes?
The nasopharynx
Which region of the pharynx contains palatine and lingual tonsils, while serving to be a passageway for both air and food?
Oropharynx
What is the proper name for the “voice box”?
Larynx
What portion of the throat is flexible elastic cartilage that ensures food does not enter the larynx while swallowing?
Epiglottis, which is in the larynx
What are the 2 types of vocal cords?
Vestibular folds: superior, known as false vocal cords, helps close the glottis
True vocal cords: inferior, produce sound by vibration
What is the name for the region containing true vocal cords and the opening between them which closes to prevent food and liquid from entering the trachea?
Glottis
What is the trachea made up of?
20 C-shaped pieces of hyaline cartilage
Describe the lobes of the lungs
The right lung has 3 lobes and the left lung has 2 lobes
Describe the conducting zone structures of the bronchial tree
Branching Bronchi:
2 main bronchi
5 lobar bronchi (3 on R, 2 on L)
Segmental bronchi
Terminal bronchioles
Describe the respiratory zone structures of the bronchial tree
Respiratory bronchioles
Alveolar ducts
Alveoli
The wall of the alveolus is made of 2 cell types. Describe them
Type 1 alveolar cells: simple squamous, allow gas diffusion
Type 2 alveolar cells: simple cuboidal, secrete surfactant, which covers inner surface of alveoli and makes it easier for alveoli to expand in inhalation
What are the 3 layers of the respiratory membrane?
2 epithelia and their fused basement membrane:
Wall of alveolus, basement membranes of alveolus and capillary, wall of capillary
What are alveolar pores?
Openings that allow air movement between adjacent alveoli
What are the 2 routes of blood supply to the lungs?
Pulmonary circulation and bronchial circulation
What is pulmonary adema?
Accumulation of fluid in the lungs — between cells and within alveoli
What is pulmonary embolism?
A blockage of pulmonary vasculature, which can result in blood clots, arteriosclerosis, air bubbles in vessels, etc.
What are nares?
Nostrils
