Week 2: Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the function of the respiratory system?
Responsible for the exchange of gases, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the body and the environment
What does the upper respiratory tract consist of?
Nose, nasal cavity, pharynx
What does the lower respiratory tract consist of?
Larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and lungs
What is the order of the respiratory system?
(Nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, alveoli)
What is the function of the nasal cavity?
- filters, warms and humidifies incoming air/ olfactory receptors for sense of smell
What is the function of the pharynx?
Common pathway for both air and food
What is the function of the Larynx?
Contains vocal cords for speech production/connects the pharynx to the trachea
What is the function of the trachea?
Rigid tube with C-shaped cartilage rings for support/ divides into primary bronchi
What is the function of the bronchi and bronchioles
Primary bronchi lead into the lungs and further branch into smaller bronchi and bronchioles/ conduct air deeper into the respiratory system
What is the function of the lungs?
Main organs of respiration, composed of lobes (right lung has 3, left lung has 2), surrounded by pleura, a double-layered membrane that reduces friction during breathing
What is the function of the alveoli?
Tiny air sacs at the end of bronchioles where has exchange occurs/surrounded by capillaries where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged
How long is the Pharynx?
12cm long
What are the 3 parts the pharynx is divided into?
Nasopharynx/oropharynx/laryngopharynx
Is the trachea posterior or anterior to the oesophagus?
Anterior
What does surfactant do?
- surfactant reduces surface tension and prevents the alveoli from collapsing
What week of life does surfactant begin to secrete?
35th week of life
How many lobes does the right lung have?
3 lobes
How many lobes does the left lung have?
2 lobes
What is the function of the pleura?
To prevent friction during breathing
Define bradypnea
Slow breathing rate
Define tachypnoea
Fast breathing rate
Define apnoea
No breathing rate
Define biots
An abnormal breathing pattern consisiting of rapid, shallow breathing followed by periods of apnoea
Define apneustic
Gasping, insufficient exhalation
Define Cheyenne-stokes
An abnormal breathing that follows the pattern of deeper, fastering breathing followed by a gradual decrease, resulting in apnoea
Define kussmaulis
Deep laboured breathing when body/organs are too acidic
Define tidal volume
The vol of air moved into or out of the lungs during a normal breath
What is the average tidal vol per inspiration?
500ml
Define residual volume
Amount of air left in the lungs after a full exhalation, this air cannot be expelled and it helps keep the alveoli open
How many breaths should a healthy person breathe?
12-20
What is the recommended breathing rate for a healthy adult?
12-20 breaths a minute
How many breaths per min would suggest a weak respiratory system?
10 breaths per min
What is the normal saturation range (SpO2) for an adult/child?
95-100%
What is the normal saturation range (SpO2) for a COPD patient?
88-92%
