Week 9: Flashcards
Primary function of the pulmonary system:
Primary function of the pulmonary system is the exchange of gases between the environmental air and the blood.
Three step process for exchange of gases between environmental air and blood:
(1) ventilation
(2) diffusion
(3) perfusion,
Ventilation
The movement of air into and out of the lungs
Diffusion
The movement of gases between air spaces in the lungs and the bloodstream
Perfusion
The movement of blood into and out of the capillary beds of the lungs to the body organs and tissues.
Ventilation and Diffusion are carried out by what systems?
Pulmonary System
What parts are included in the pulmonary system?
- Two lungs
- The upper and lower airways
- The diaphragm
- The chest wall (thoracic cage)
The lungs are divided into what?
Lobes
What are the lobes of the lungs?
Three in the right lung (upper, middle, lower)
Two in the left lung (upper, lower)
Each lobe of the lungs is further divided into what?
Segments and lobules
Mediastinum
Space between the lungs
What does the mediastinum contain?
It is the space between the lungs and contains the heart, great vessels, and esophagus.
What delivers air to each section of the lung?
A set of conducting airways or bronchi
What does the lung tissue around the bronchi do?
The lung tissue that surrounds the airways supports the bronchi, preventing distortion or collapse of the airways as gas moves in and out during ventilation
Diaphragm
dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and is involved in ventilation.
How are lungs protected by contaminants in inspired air?
By a series of mechanical barriers.
What is included in the upper respiratory tract (upper airways)?
- The nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx
- Nasal Cavity
The upper airway is lined with what?
Lines with ciliated mucosa.
What does the ciliated mucosa do in the upper airways?
Warms and humidifies inspired air and removes foreign particles from it.
Larynx
Connects the upper and lower airways.
What is important about the internal larnyx?
The internal larynx muscles control vocal cord length and tension.
These muscles also contribute to voice pitch
What is important about the external larynx?
External laryngeal muscles move the larynx as a whole.
What is the trachea supported by?
U-shaped cartilage
What does the trachea connect?
The trachea connects the larynx to the bronchi