Intro to the Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the functions of the respiratory system?
- Deliver air to the lungs
- Convey oxygen from the inhaled air to the blood for delivery to the body cells
- Expel waste products returned to the lungs by the blood through exhalation
- Produce airflow through the larynx that makes speech
Upper respiratory tract is made up of? (5)
nose, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, and trachea
Lower respiratory tract is made up of? (2)
bronchial tree, lungs
- air enters the body through the nasal cavity, which is the interior portion of the nose.
- the nostrils are the external openings
The Nose
Nasal Septum
a wall of cartilage that divides the nose into two sections
Mucous Membranes
specialized tissues that line the nose
Mucus
-slippery secretion produced by the mucus membranes
- protects and lubricates
- helps moisten, warm, and filter the air as it enters
Olfactory Receptors
nerve endings that are receptors for the sense of smell
- air filled cavities filled with mucous membrane
- located in the bones of the skull
paranasal Sinuses
- also known as the throat
- receives air as it passes through the nose or mouth, as well as food
Pharynx
- also known as the voice box
- contains the vocal cords
Larynx
- Lid-like structure at the base of the tongue
- prevents food from entering the trachea and the lungs
Epiglottis
- Transport air to and from the lungs
- Also known as the windpipe
The Trachea
- two large tubes which branch out from the trachea
- Convey air to the lungs by
- Referred to as the bronchial tree
The Bronchi
*known as air sacs
* very small grape-like clusters at the end of each bronchiole
* where the exchange of O2 and CO2 take place
* each lung contains millions
Alveoli
- Essential organ for respiration
- divided into lobes
- right lung has three lobes
- left lung has two lobes
the lungs
How many lobes does the right lung have?
three
How many lobes does the left lung have?
Two
Thin, most slippery membrane that covers the surface of the lungs and lines the inner surface of the thoracic cavity
The Pleura
- dome shaped sheet of muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdomen
- contraction and relation of this muscle makes breathing possible
The Diaphragm
- known as breathing
- Is the exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide that is essential for life
- A single respiration, or breath, consists of one inhalation and one exhalation
Respiration
- the act of taking air in
- diaphragm contracts and pulls downward
inhalation
- The act of breathing out
- the diaphragm relaxes
exhalation
