UNIT 8 The Pulmonary System Reading ?'s

Question 1

Major components of pulmonary system?

Answer 1

2 lungs, upper and lower airways (their blood vessels), the diaphragm, and the chest wall.

Question 2

What are the conducting airways?

Answer 2

Bronchi. Deliver O2 to each section of the lung

Question 3

Describe an alveolus

Answer 3

Cup-shaped and thin-walled. Primary gas-exchange units of the lung, where O2 enters the blood and CO2 is removed =. Tiny passages (pores of Kohn) permit some air to pass through septa from alveolus to alveolus= collateral ventilation and even distribution of air among the alveoli.

Question 4

Which components of the pulmonary system contribute to the body’s defense?

Answer 4

Upper respiratory tract mucosa, nasal hairs and turbinates , mucous blanket, cilia, irritant receptors in nares, and alveolar macrophages.

Question 5

Fxns of the pulmonary circulation and bronchial?

Answer 5

Pulmonary: gas exchange, delivers nutrients to lung tissues, acts as a reservoir for the l. ventricle, and serves as a filtering system that removes clots, air, and other debris from the circulation.

Bronchial: part of the systemic circulation. Moistens inspired air and supplies nutrients to the conducting airways, large pulmonary vessels, lymph nodes, and membranes that surround the lungs. DOES NOT participate in gas exchange.

Question 6

Most important factor causing pulmonary a. constriction? What other factors are involved?

Answer 6

Low alveolar partial pressure of O2 (PAO2) aka hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, is the most important cause of PAC. Acidemia also causes PAC.

Question 7

What are the visceral and parietal pleurae?

Answer 7

Visceral, is membrane covering the lungs, parietal lines the thoracic cavity

Question 8

Characteristics of the pleural space/cavity?

Answer 8

• thin layer of fluid fills it, lubricating it
• fluid allows the two layers (visceral and parietal) to slide over each other w/out separating it.