Week 2: Respiratory System

Question 1

What is the function of the respiratory system?

Answer 1

Responsible for the exchange of gases, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the body and the environment

Question 2

What does the upper respiratory tract consist of?

Answer 2

Nose, nasal cavity, pharynx

Question 3

What does the lower respiratory tract consist of?

Answer 3

Larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and lungs

Question 4

What is the order of the respiratory system?

Answer 4

(Nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, alveoli)

Question 5

What is the function of the nasal cavity?

Answer 5

• filters, warms and humidifies incoming air/ olfactory receptors for sense of smell

Question 6

What is the function of the pharynx?

Answer 6

Common pathway for both air and food

Question 7

What is the function of the Larynx?

Answer 7

Contains vocal cords for speech production/connects the pharynx to the trachea

Question 8

What is the function of the trachea?

Answer 8

Rigid tube with C-shaped cartilage rings for support/ divides into primary bronchi

Question 9

What is the function of the bronchi and bronchioles

Answer 9

Primary bronchi lead into the lungs and further branch into smaller bronchi and bronchioles/ conduct air deeper into the respiratory system

Question 10

What is the function of the lungs?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What is the function of the alveoli?

Answer 11

Tiny air sacs at the end of bronchioles where has exchange occurs/surrounded by capillaries where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged

Question 12

How long is the Pharynx?

Answer 12

12cm long

Question 13

What are the 3 parts the pharynx is divided into?

Answer 13

Nasopharynx/oropharynx/laryngopharynx

Question 14

Is the trachea posterior or anterior to the oesophagus?

Answer 14

Anterior

Question 15

What does surfactant do?

Answer 15

• surfactant reduces surface tension and prevents the alveoli from collapsing

Question 16

What week of life does surfactant begin to secrete?

Answer 16

35th week of life

Question 17

How many lobes does the right lung have?

Answer 17

3 lobes

Question 18

How many lobes does the left lung have?

Answer 18

2 lobes

Question 19

What is the function of the pleura?

Answer 19

To prevent friction during breathing

Question 20

Define bradypnea

Answer 20

Slow breathing rate

Question 21

Define tachypnoea

Answer 21

Fast breathing rate

Question 22

Define apnoea

Answer 22

No breathing rate

Question 23

Define biots

Answer 23

An abnormal breathing pattern consisiting of rapid, shallow breathing followed by periods of apnoea

Question 24

Define apneustic

Answer 24

Gasping, insufficient exhalation

Question 25

Define Cheyenne-stokes

Answer 25

An abnormal breathing that follows the pattern of deeper, fastering breathing followed by a gradual decrease, resulting in apnoea

Question 26

Define kussmaulis

Answer 26

Deep laboured breathing when body/organs are too acidic

Question 27

Define tidal volume

Answer 27

The vol of air moved into or out of the lungs during a normal breath

Question 28

What is the average tidal vol per inspiration?

Answer 28

500ml

Question 29

Define residual volume

Answer 29

Amount of air left in the lungs after a full exhalation, this air cannot be expelled and it helps keep the alveoli open

Question 30

How many breaths should a healthy person breathe?

Answer 30

12-20

Question 31

What is the recommended breathing rate for a healthy adult?

Answer 31

12-20 breaths a minute

Question 32

How many breaths per min would suggest a weak respiratory system?

Answer 32

10 breaths per min

Question 33

What is the normal saturation range (SpO2) for an adult/child?

Answer 33

95-100%

Question 34

What is the normal saturation range (SpO2) for a COPD patient?

Answer 34

88-92%