Health and Disease Week 22 Flashcards
(198 cards)
What is the upper respiratory tract made up of?
nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx
What are the main functions of the upper respiratory tract?
- humidifies and warms air
- defence
- sensory
- speech
What is the lower respiratory tract made up of?
trachea, bronchi, lungs
What are the main functions of the lower respiratory tract?
gas exchange, defence, controlling metabolic rate
Which structures in the lower respiratory tract have cartilage?
the walls of the trachea and bronchi
What are the bronchi and bronchioles surrounded by?
smooth muscle to keep them open
What are the 2 zones of the lower respiratory tract?
- conducting zone
- respiratory zone
define the conducting zone
the part of the respiratory system that warms, moistens and filters air as it moves into the lungs
Where does the conducting zone include?
trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, terminal bronchioles
What is the function of the conducting zone?
- pathway for airflow
- defence against pathogens and particulates
- warms and moistens air
Where does the respiratory zone include?
respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveolar sacs
What is the function of the respiratory zone?
gas exchange
define airway resistance
the resistance to the flow of air through the respiratory tract during inhalation and expiration
What is the airway resistance largely affected by?
the diameter of the airway
How does the radius of the airway affect airway resistance?
as radius decrease, resistance increases
Do single or multiple airways provide more resistance?
single - so single large to medium sized airways provide more resistance to flow than numerous small airways
Which zone provides the largest resistance to airflow?
the conducting zone bronchioles
Why is the little resistance in the alveoli despite small diameter?
number of divisions is so high
What is the equation for airway resistance?
airway resistance = 1 / conduction
What is asthma?
when someone has intermittent episodes where the airway smooth muscle contracts, increasing airway resistance
What makes the smooth muscle hyper-responsive in asthma?
chronic inflammation - as this causes strong contraction
What are the causes of inflammation that cause asthma?
- allergies
- viral infections
- exercise particularly in cold, dry air
- tobacco smoke
- environmental pollutants
What are examples of classes or drugs that are medications for asthma?
- anti-inflammatory drugs
- bronchodilators
What do anti-inflammatory drugs do? What are examples?
reduce chronic inflammation - for example, beclomethasone, steroids