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Respiratory System > L22. Respiratory system structure and function > Flashcards

L22. Respiratory system structure and function Flashcards

1
Q

Respiratory functions

A
  • provide extensive surface area for gas exchange between air and circulating blood
  • move air to and from exchange surfaces of lungs
  • protect respiratory surfaces from dehydration, temperature changes, and pathogens
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2
Q

Conducting zones

A
  • structures that don’t participate in gas exchange but provide rigid passageways that allow air to reach the alveoli
  • includes: nose, nasal cavity, phyrynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and terminal bronchioles
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3
Q

Respiratory zone

A
  • structures that actually participate in gas exchange
  • includes: respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs and alveoli
    > alveoli are air-filled pockets within lungs where all gas exchange takes place
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4
Q

Organs of the respiratory system

A

3 groups:

  • Airways for conduction
  • Lungs for gas exchange
  • Respiratory muscles for ventilation (breathing)
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5
Q

Nose and nasal cavity

A

ANATOMY:

  • extends from nostrils to the choanae
  • nasal cavity contains folds of tissue- superior, middle and inferior choncae
  • covered in ciliated mucous membranes
  • hair

FUNCTION:
- primary passageway for air entering respiratory system
- narrow passages ensure most inspired air comes in contact with the mucous membranes to:
> remove dust and bacteria
> warm and humidify air
> cilia sweep debris towards the pharynx to be swallowed and digested

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6
Q

Pharynx

A

ANATOMY:

  • 3 regions
  • L-shaped cavity
  • Houses tonsils

FUNCTIONS:

  • inspired air is forced to make a sharp 90 degree turn
  • larger particles are trapped on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx mucosa
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7
Q

Larynx

A

ANATOMY:

  • cartilaginous chamber
  • aka: the “voice box”
  • associated with the glottis, epiglottis and laryngeal muscles at the superior opening

FUNCTION:

  • primarily to keep food and drink out of the trachea
  • glottis, epiglottis and laryngeal muscles block off trachea opening during swallowing
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8
Q

Trachea anatomy

A

ANATOMY:

  • tough, flexible tube, aka: the “windpipe”
  • about 12cm long
  • anterior to the esophagus
  • supported by 16-20 cartilaginous C-shaped rings
  • the gap faces posteriorly and is spanned by smooth muscle- Trachealis
  • internal lining is covered with ciliated mucosa
  • inferior end branches off into two primary bronchi
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9
Q

Trachea function

A

FUNCTION:
- goblet cells secrete mucous to trap particles
- ciliated cells beat in a wave-like manner to propel mucous upwards into pharynx
> MUCOCILIARY ESCALATOR
- cartilage rings are rigid structures that keep airways open
- trachealis muscles contract or relax to adjust tracheal airflow
- soft tissue allows for distortion of tracheal wall when swallowing

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10
Q

Bronchial tree

A

BRONCHIAL TREE

  • resembles an up-side-down tree
  • trachea (trunk)
  • two primary bronchi (left and right)

Secondary bronchi -> tertiary bronchi

  • approx 23 orders (branches off 23 times)
  • contains progressively less cartilage and more smooth muscle
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11
Q

Bronchioles

A
  • bronchi with < 1mm diameter
  • have no cartilage
  • respiratory bronchioles mark the begining of the respiratory division
    > presence of alveoli
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12
Q

Bronchodilation

A
  • caused by sympathetic activation
  • enlarges luminal diameter of airway
  • reduces airway resistance -> increases airflow
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13
Q

Bronchoconstriction

A
  • caused by:
    > parasympathetic activation
    > histamine release (allergic reactions)
  • reduces luminal diameter of airway
  • increases airway resistance -> decreases airflow
    eg. asthma
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14
Q

Alveolar sacs

A
  • grape-like clusters of alveoli
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15
Q

Alveoli

A
  • tiny air sacs composed of a single squamous cell (type 1 alveolar cells)
    > very thin for diffusion of gases
  • lungs contain approx 300 million alveoli
    > huge surface area for gas exchange
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16
Q

Alveolar macrophages

A
  • alveoli are “dead ends” for micro-organisms
    > macrophages (alveolar dust cells) inside the alveoli engulf microbes/ debris and get swept towards pharynx to get swallowed
  • alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries that pick up the O2 and unload the CO2
17
Q

Surfactant

A
  • Oily secretion by type II alveolar cells
  • contains phospholipids and proteins
  • coats alveolar surface and reduces surface tension
    > easier to inflate alveoli
    > prevents alveoli collapsing at end-expiration
18
Q

Respiratory pathway

A
  • Nose/ mouth
  • Pharynx
  • Trachea
  • Bronchi
  • Bronchioles
  • Alveoli
19
Q

Lungs location and anatomy

A
  • a pair of lungs (left and right)
  • housed in the thoracic cavity
  • protected by the thoracic cage- ribs, sternum and vertebrae
  • each conical shaped lung has a superior apex, and a base that rests on the diaphragm
  • left lung is slightly smaller (due to heart space)
  • right lung has 3 lobes, left has 2
  • both have hilum on the medial surface: site of bronchi, blood vessels, lymph and nerve entry
20
Q

Pleural Cavity Lining

A

Lungs enclosed in a cavity lined with two membranes
> visceral pleura covers lungs
> parietal pleura lines ribcage and covers upper surface of diaphragm
> pleural cavity- between ribs and lungs filled with lubricating fluid

  • creates a ‘vacuum’ potential space
  • keeps lungs connected to rib-cage
21
Q

Inspiration

A
  • active (requires energy)

- as rib cage expands, lungs inflate

22
Q

Expiration

A
  • passive

- when rib cage recoils, lungs push air out

Respiratory System (3 decks)

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