BS respiratory strand Flashcards
(457 cards)
what is the main function of the respiratory system?
gas exchange
O2 from air to blood and CO2 from blood to air
what are the other functions of the respiratory system?
speech - exhalation and vibration of vocal chords
smell - inspiration through nasal cavity - in roof specialised epithelium detect small particles in the air
what are the two functional divisions of the respiratory system?
conducting and respiratory portion
what is the role of the conducting portion?
- transports air from external environment to exchange surfaces
- conditions the air (warms, moistens and filters as exchange structures are v delicate
what is the role of the respiratory portion?
where the actual gas exchange occurs
what makes up the conducting portion?
nasal cavity to the terminal bronchi
what are conchae?
3 inundations in the nasal cavity that increase the surface area for conditioning of air
what are meatuses?
the 4 pathways for air to flow created by the conchae, flow is disrupted creating a turbulent flow and conditioning it
why do we need turbulent flow?
viruses and bacteria in the air can be passed into the sinuses and immune response can be mounted –> prevents infection
what is the hard pallate?
roof of mouth
what is the soft palate?
the uvula is part of it
pushes food to back of throat and can almost seal of nasal cavity to prevent food going up nose
what barrier is there between nasal cavity and brain?
ethmoid bone
what is the role of the epiglottis?
- stop food going into respiratory system by sealing it
- swallowing pushes food posterior
what is the nasopharynx?
upper part of the pharynx posterior to nasal cavity - only air
what is the oropharynx?
middle part of the pharynx posterior to mouth, uvula can be line of demarcation - air and food
what is the langopharynx?
most inferior portion of the pharynx
What is the upper airway composed of?
The nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx and associated structures
What muscle is important in nasal breathing?
The genioglossus
- the muscle that makes up most of the tongue
- it prevents posterior tongue displacement and upper airway closure
What muscle is important in mouth breathing?
The tensor palati
- it acts to tense and elevate the soft in order to prevent entry of food into the nasopharynx during swallowing
Describe the pharyngeal dilator reflex
Pressure receptors > brain stem > pharyngeal muscle contraction
What is the afferent nerve of the pharyngeal dilator reflex?
The trigeminal nerve
What is the efferent nerve of the pharyngeal dilator reflex?
The vagus nerve
What percentage of people are affected by sleep disorder breathing and sleep apnoea?
Sleep disordered breathing - 25%
Sleep apnoea - 10%
What are clinical features of sleep disordered breathing?
Snoring and daytime somnolence