Week 8- Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System Flashcards
1
Q
What are the main structures of the upper respiratory tract?
A
- Nose
- Pharynx
- Larynx
2
Q
What are the main structures of the lower respiratory tract?
A
- Trachea
- Bronchial tree (bronchioles)
- Lungs
3
Q
Nose
A
- Bone and cartilage
- Nostrils (nares)
- Nasal cavity
- Palate- hard and soft palates
- Nasal septum
- Nasal turbinate
4
Q
What is the purpose of the nose?
A
- Passageway for air going to and from the lungs (can be bypassed and go directly through the mouth)
- Warm
- Moisten
- Trap microorganisms
- Functions to examine for substances that might irritate the delicate lining of the respiratory tract
5
Q
Paranasal sinuses
A
- Air filled cavities
- 4 main pairs- frontal, maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid
- Lined with ciliated mucous membranes
- Secreted mucus drains into the nasal cavity
6
Q
Sinusitis
A
- Allergic reactions or infections
- Membranes swell
- Drainage is reduced or blocked
- Increased fluid pressure causes sinus headaches
7
Q
Pharynx (throat)
A
- Approx. 5 inches long- extends from the base of the skull to the esophagus
- Made of muscle and lined with mucous membranes
- Has 3 anatomical divisons: nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx
- Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids when enlarged) are located in the nasopharynx
8
Q
What are the 3 anatomical divisions of the pharynx?
A
- Nasopharynx- behind the nose from the nares to the soft palate
- Oropharynx- behind the mouth from the soft palate to the hyoid bone
- Laryngophaynx- hyoid bone to espohagus
9
Q
Where is the hyoid bone located?
A
- Located between the chin ad thyroid cartilage, also called “tongue bone”
10
Q
Tonsils
A
- Lymphatic tissue
- Palatine (side of the pharynx)
- Pharyngeal- (adenoids) upper end of the pharynx
- Lingual- back of the tongue
- Sites of immune reactions
11
Q
Larynx
A
- Triangle shaped- cartilages attached together by muscles and tissues
- Lined by mucous membranes (helps to remove dust particles and warmed/ humidified inspired air during inspiration)
- Serves to protect the airway against the entrance of solids of liquids during swallowing
- Voice box
- Passageway for air from the pharynx to traches
12
Q
9 cartilages make up the larynx- 3 largest are?
A
1) Thyroid cartilage (Adam’s Apple)
2) Epiglottis
3) Arytenoid cartilage
13
Q
Thyroid cartilage (Adam’s Apple)
A
- Gives characteristic triangle shape to the anterior wall
- Usually larger and less padded in mean
14
Q
Epiglottis
A
- small leaf shaped cartilage that projects upward behind the tongue and hyoid bones.
- Can move up and won during swallowing to keep food/ drink from the trachea
15
Q
Arytenoid cartilage
A
- Borders the cricoid cartilage and serve as points of attachment for the vocal cords
- Vocal cords are the narrowest portion of adult airway
- Cricoid ring is the narrowest portion of pediatric airway
16
Q
Vocal Chords
A
- Relaxed during normal breathing
- Contracted- they produce sounds
- Opening is the glottis
17
Q
When swallowing
A
- Larynx moves up
- Epiglottis covers the tracheal opening and directs food into the esophagus
- When it doesn’t work, cough reflex attempts to expel foreign material
18
Q
Trachea (windpipe)
A
- Approx. 10 cm long, 2.5cm in diameter
- Bifurcates at the carina
- Larynx to the primary bronchi
- Cartilaginous ring support to support airway- open posteriorly to allow the esophagus to expand
- Simple function is to allow air to get from the outside to the lungs
19
Q
Bronchial Tree
A
- Primarily bronchi- Rt 25 degree, Lt- 45 degree
- Secondary bronchi- 3 right, 2 left
- Tertiary bronchi
- Terminal bronchioles- alveolar ducts, alveoli
- Cartilage decreases with size and absent in the bronchioles
- Smooth muscles increases
20
Q
What is the purpose of the bronchial tree?
A
- Tubes composing the bronchial tree perform the same function as the trachea
- The alveoli- enveloped in networks of capillaries, accomplish the lungs main and vital function- gas exchange between air and blood
21
Q
The air purification system in the nasal passages:
A
- Almost all contaminants are removed prior to the air reaching the bronchioles and alveoli
- There is a layer of mucus that lines the respiratory tree that is the most important purification system
- Forms a continuous sheet (125 mls/day) called the mucous blanket, moving containments up towards the pharynx (moved by cilia that can move in only one direction
22
Q
Blood Supply
A
- Deoxygenated blood is carried from the heart to the lungs by the pulmonary arteries and arterioles
- Gas exchange takes place at the capillaries covering the alveoli
- Oxygenated blood is carried from the lungs to the heart by the pulmonary veins and venules
- Gas exchange is most efficient in the alveoli, but a significant amount of gas is also exchanged across the respiratory bronchioles
- Bronchioles are thin and lack structure which is helpful for gas exchange
23
Q
Lungs
A
- 2 cone shaped organs separated by the mediastinum
- From the diaphragm to the clavicles, lie against the ribs anteriorly and posteriorly
- Right lung- 3 lobes (superior, middle, inferior)
- Left lung- 2 lobes (superior, inferior)
- Constant primarily of air passages, alveoli, blood & lymphatic vessels, connective tissues - spongy, soft texture
24
Q
What 2 functions do the lungs serve?
A
1) Air distribution
2) Gas exchange
- Air distribution is done via bronchial tree
- Gas exchange is done via the alveoli and capillaries
- Most effective for gas exchange because of the massive surface area they provide
25
Q
Lung Recoil
A
- Rebound of the lungs after being stretched by inhalation
- Recoil is related to lung compliance (good chest rise)
- Passive action of the thoracic cavity and the lungs
- Occurs because of: the elastic properties of the lungs, surface tension of the alveoli and their ability and tendency to decrease in size
26
Q
Tidal Volume
A
- The volume of air inhaled and exhaled with each normal breath
- In a healthy adult, normal tidal volume would be 500 mls (0.5L) per inspiration or 7 ml/kg
of body weight
27
Q
Residual Volume
A
- Air remaining in the lungs after maximum expiration
- Usually 1200 mls (1.2L)
28
Q
Expiratory Reserve Volume
A
- Maximum volume that can be moved out of the respiratory tract after normal. regular expiration
- Usually approx. 1000-1200 mls (1.0-1.2 L)
29
Q
Inspiratory Reserve Volume
A
- The maximal amount of additional air that can be drawn into the lungs by determined effort after normal inspiration
- Usually approx. 3000-3300 mls (3.0-3.3 L)
30
Q
Functional Residual Capacity
A
- Refers to the volume of air left in the lungs after a normal, passive exhalation
- Sum of ERV + RV
- Increase is seen with severe airway obstruction as in COPD
31
Q
Inspiratory Capacity
A
- The maximum volume of air that can be inspired after reaching the end of a normal, quiet expiration
- It is the sum of the TV + IRV
32
Q
Vital Capacity
A
- The largest volume of air an individual can move in and out of the lungs
- TV + IRV + ERV
- Typically 4500-5000 mls (4.5-5.0L)
