Respiratory Flashcards
(28 cards)
Functions of the respiratory system
Ventilation
Gas Exchange
Communication
Olfaction
Upper Respiratory Tract
External Nose
Nasal Cavity
Pharynx
Larynx* Depends on Source
Nose
Composed of bone/cartilage
Nares/Nostrils Bring in Air
Nasal Cavity - Internal cavity divided by the septum
Functions of the nose
Filters Airways for respiration Speech Olfactory receptors Warms air Sneezing dislodges material from the nose
Pharynx
Throat
Passagway for respiratory and digestive system
Regions of the pharynx
Nasopharynx - Posterior to nasal cavity - superior - takes in air
Oropharynx - extends from uvula to epoiglotis - takes in food/air/drink
Laryngopharynx - extends from epiglottis to esophagus - food and drink pass through it
Uvula - “little grape” - No known purpose/may be immune system linked - extension of soft palate
Larynx and friends
Region in front of the throat/voice box. Made of cartilage. Prevents foor/drink from entering trachea.
Thyroid Cartilage - largest piece of cartilage/”Adam’s Apple”
Epiglottis - piece of cartilage - flap that prevents swallowed materials from entering the larynx.
Vocal Folds/Cords - Source of voice production/air moves past them causing vibration. Force or air determines loudness, tension determines pitch.
Laryngitis
Inflamation of vocal cords.
Inability to speak.
Caused by overuse, dry air, and infection.
Treatment - don’t speak/whisper, increasing fulid intake, humidifier.
Lower respiratory tract
Trachea
Bronchi
Lungs
Trachea
Windpipe
Consists of 16-20 C Shaped bands of cartilage.
Line with cilia/smoking kills cilia
Coughing dislodges material from trachea.
Divides into main bronchi
Pleral Membrane and cavities
Pleura - Double Layered membrane around lungs
Parietal pleura - membrane that lines the thoracic cavity
Visceral pleura - membrane that covers the lung’s surface
Lungs
Primary organ of respiration.
Rests on diaphragm.
Right lung has 3 lobes, left has 2 because of the heart.
Contaion many air passageways.
Bronchial Tree
1 Primary Bronchi 2 Secondary Bronchi 3 Tertiary Bronchi 4 Bronchioles 5 Terminal Bronchioles 6 Respiratory Bronchioles 7 Alveolar Ducts 8 Alveoli
Alveoli
Small air sacs where gas exchange occurs
Surrounded by capillaries
300 million in lungs
Alveolar Cells
Squamous alveolar cells - flat/tile like - involved in diffusion/gas exchange.
Alveolar macrophages - perform phagocytosis and clean up debris in resp tract
Surfactant cells - produce fluid mixture of lipoproteins/keep lungs from collapsing by decreasing surface tension
Respiratory Membrane
Where gas exchange between gas and blood occurs.
Formed by squamous alveolar cells and capillary walls.
Surface Area of Respiratory Membrane
Total surface area is 70 square meters(a basketball court).
Decreased by removal of lung tissue or smoking/cancer.
Diffusion of gases in lungs
Cells in the body use O2 and produce CO2.
Blood returning from the tissues and entering the lungs has decreased O2 and increased CO2.
O2 diffuses from alveoli into pullmonary capillaries.
CO2 diffuses from capillaries into alveoli.
Ventilation
Process of breathing.
Process of moving air in and out of the lungs.
Uses the diaphragm.
Phases of Ventilation
Inspiration
Expiration
Inspiration
Breathing in.
Uses external intercostal muscles.
Diaphragm descends and rib cage expands.
Thoracic cavity colume increases, pressure decreases.
Atmospheric pressure is greater than alveolar pressure.
Air moves into alveoli(to the area of lower pressure).
Expiration
Breathing out
Uses intercostal muscles.
Diaphragm relaxes and rib cage recoilds.
Thoracic cavity colume decreases, pressure increases.
Alveolar pressure is greater than the atmospheric pressure. Aire moves out of the lungs(where pressure is lower).
Pressure Changes and Air Flow
When thoracic cavity volume increases the pressure decreases.
When thoracic cavity volume decreases, pressure increases.
Air flows from areas of high to low pressure.
Rhythmic Ventilation
Normal respiration rate is 12-20 respirations/min
Controlled by the medulla oblongata.
Rate is determined by the number of times the respiratory muscles are stimulated.