Case 8 Flashcards
(72 cards)
What are features of a diseased airway?
Airway narrowed
Mucus accumulation
Muscular layer thickens
Inflammatory cells infiltrate area
Examples of external causes of a diseased airway?
Smoke
Environmental pollution
Infection
Chemicals
Dust
Examples of internal causes of a diseased airway?
Heredity
Airway hypersensitivity
Maldevelopment
Nature and function of type 1 alveolar cells?
Simple squamous epithelium, non ciliated and the main site of gas exchange
Covers 90% of alveolus
Nature and function of type 2 alveolar cells?
Produce surfactant
This reduces surfaces tension, preventing alveoli collapse and renewing type 1 cells
What is meant by immune tolerance of respiratory system?
Tolerance of respiratory system to inhaled allergens to prevent unnecessary immune response.
What happens if the immune tolerance of respiratory system is too high?
Decreased immune responsiveness
Body becomes more susceptible to infections
What happens if the immune tolerance of the respiratory system is too low?
Immune system overreacts
This can cause allergies and autoimmune conditions (eg asthma)
What is in the brown/preventer inhaler (for asthmatics)?
Inhaled corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
Used daily even when no symptoms
What is in the blue/reliever inhaler (for asthmatics)?
Bronchodilators
Causes smooth muscle to relax, opening up airway
Used when symptoms are experienced
What is the autonomic nervous system?
Subconscious nervous system
What are the 2 branches of the Autonomic nervous system?
Parasympathetic and Sympathetic
What are afferent nerves?
Transmit signals from tissues and organs to the CNS
What are efferent nerves?
Transmit signals from CNS to tissues and organs
What does CNS (central nervous system) consist of?
Brain and spinal cord
What are ganglia?
Clusters of nerve cell bodies located outside the CNS.
What are dorsal root ganglia?
Found along dorsal roots of spinal nerves
Transmit sensory information from peripheral tissues to the spinal cord
What are autonomic ganglia?
Involved in regulating involuntary body functions (eg heart rate, digestion and respiratory rate)
What is parasympathetic nervous system?
Rest and digest nervous system
Promotes relaxation and recovery
EG. Slows heart rate, stimulates digestion
What is sympathetic nervous system?
Fight or flight system
Prepares body for quick vigorous action
Increases heart rate, redirects blood flow to muscles, releases energy stores
Which neurotransmitters are used for sympathetic pathways?
Acetylcholine and noradrenaline
Which neurotransmitters are used for parasympathetic pathways?
Acetylcholine
How are nervous system signals ‘turned off’?
Enzyme destroys transmitter
OR
Transmitter is re-captured by pre-synaptic never terminals
What are cholinesterases?
Widely distributed enzymes which are the targets of drugs and inhibitors.
They break down acetylcholine neurotransmitters