Unit 14: Respiratory System

Question 1

What are the 2 subdivisions of the respiratory system and what are they composed of?

Answer 1

Upper: nose, nasal cavity, pharynx
Lower: larynx, trachea, bronchial tree, lungs

Question 2

What makes up the mucosa of the respiratory tract?

Answer 2

Ciliated pseudostratified epithelium, with goblet cells sitting on the lamina propria. Goblet cells secret mucous and cilia sweep mucous to esophagus

Question 3

What are the main functions of the nasal cavity?

Answer 3

Airway passage, olfaction (smell), speech (resonance chamber)

Question 4

What is the vestibular area of the nasal cavity?

Answer 4

The anterior region, with no mucosa; lined by thin skin with filtering hairs

Question 5

Describe the respiratory area of the nasal cavity?

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Where are the smell receptors in the nasal cavity?

Answer 6

The olefactory area, which is found in the roof of the nasal cavity

Question 7

What are paranasal sinuses?

Answer 7

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)

Question 8

What are the 3 regions of the pharynx?

Answer 8

Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx

Question 9

Which region of the pharynx contains the pharyngeal tonsil, and both nasal apertures and pharyngotympanic (auditory) tubes?

Answer 9

The nasopharynx

Question 10

Which region of the pharynx contains palatine and lingual tonsils, while serving to be a passageway for both air and food?

Answer 10

Oropharynx

Question 11

What is the proper name for the “voice box”?

Answer 11

Larynx

Question 12

What is the portion of the throat is flexible elastic cartilage that ensures food does not enter the larynx while swallowing?

Answer 12

Epiglottis, which is in the larynx

Question 13

What are the 2 types of vocal cords?

Answer 13

Vestibular folds: superior, known as false vocal cords, helps close the glottis
True vocal cords: inferior, produce sound by vibration

Question 14

What is the name for the true vocal cords and the opening between them which closes to prevent food and liquid from entering the trachea?

Answer 14

Glottis

Question 15

What is the trachea made up of?

Answer 15

20 C-shaped pieces of hyaline cartilage

Question 16

Describe the lobes of the lungs

Answer 16

The right lung has 3 lobes and the left lung has 2 lobes

Question 17

Describe the conducting zone structures of the lung

Answer 17

Branching Bronchi:
2 main bronchi
5 lobar bronchi (3 on R, 2 on L)
Segmental bronchi
Terminal bronchioles

Question 18

Describe the respiratory zone structures of the lung

Answer 18

Respiratory bronchioles
Alveolar ducts
Alveoli

Question 19

The wall of the alveolus is made of 2 cell types. Describe them

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What are the 3 layers of the respiratory membrane?

Answer 20

2 epithelia and their fused basement membrane:
Wall of alveolus, basement membranes of alveolus and capillary, wall of capillary

Question 21

What are alveolar pores?

Answer 21

Openings that allow air movement between adjacent alveoli

Question 22

What are the 2 routes of blood supply to the lungs?

Answer 22

Pulmonary circulation and bronchial circulation

Question 23

What is pulmonary adema?

Answer 23

Accumulation of fluid in the lungs — between cells and within alveoli

Question 24

What is pulmonary embolism?

Answer 24

A blockage of pulmonary vasculature, which can result in blood clots, arteriosclerosis, air bubbles in vessels, etc.