Respiratory System Flashcards

1
Q

Why do we have so many defense mechanisms for the respiratory system

A

It is so exposed to the outside world with three big holes on our face

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2
Q

What are the paranasal air sinuses

A
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3
Q

Role of hair and mucous in nose

A

Trapping things that aren’t supposed to be there

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4
Q

Epithelia in Respiratory System

A

Pseudo stratified columnar ciliated epithelium

Same in entire respiratory system (except alveoli)

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5
Q

Role of cilia in respiratory system

A

Beating the mucous which traps dirt and microbes out of the respiratory system to keep it free of such things

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6
Q

Components of lower respiratory system

A

Airways: Progressively smaller tubes ending in blind ending sacs which conduct air to the sites for gaseous exchange and defence mechanisms

Alveoli: Sacs for gaseous exchange - Simple squamous epithelia

Connective tissue: Interstitium

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7
Q

Rings aroud trachea and their function

A

Cartilaginous rings to keep the airway open and give it structural support

They are C-shaped rings; smooth muscle is between the ends of the C

Cartilage is needed specifically in the trachea as SM wouldn’t really keep the airways open properly; a bit of SM at the back to open it and close it; also to protect

Additionallly SM sits against the oesophagus, preventing them from pushing on each other

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8
Q

Carina

A
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9
Q

Describe the changes in cartilage as you go through the airway from the trachea to the bronchioles/alveoli

A

They go from rings, losing cartilage to become plates in bronchi and then disappear in bronchioles; SM increases along the system

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10
Q

Describe the change in epithelial type along the airway system

A

They become more and more squashed/cuboidal and less ciliated. They become completely flat at the alveoli

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11
Q

Mucosa of the Lungs

A

Respiratory Epithelium
Pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelia (with basement membrane)

Goblet Cells
Produces mucous (part of epithelia i think)

Lamina Propria
Connective tissue, blood and lymph that sits below the epithelia

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12
Q

Airway layers of the lung below the mucosa

A

Thin band of smooth muscle

Submuscosa containing different glands that produce mucous

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13
Q

What are the different layers [respiratory tract] (ignore the bottom one)

A

Top to Bottom:

Respiratory Epithelia
Lamina Propria
(Smooth muscle but its not labelled)
Submucosa

note the cauliflour shaped things are mucous producing glands and purple things are watery producing glands

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14
Q

Club Cells

A

Cells in terminal bronchioles that replace goblet cells and produce less mucous but more surfactant

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15
Q

What would poorly functioning cilia cause

A

Long term respiratory damage

Bronchiectosis

Mucous would build up/clog and lead to coughs and then infection

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16
Q

Metaplasia

A

Change in type of cell
(e.g. as a result of smoking)

Can lead to change in epithelial type and loss of cilia in lungs

17
Q

General trend in variation of cartilage, smooth muscle, glands and cell thickness as airways narrow

A

Less cartilage, more SM, fewer glands, flatter cells

18
Q

Simply describe what would happen if the airways are clogged up/blocked; think FEV1:FVC

A

The lung volume wouldn’t change but it would be slower, leading to breathlessness

19
Q

What type of cells are the type I and II pneumocytes

A

They are the epithelial cells of the alveoli

20
Q

Vaguely, when do type II pneumocytes form during gestation

A

Quite late in foetal development as their lungs are fluid filled; lack of II pneumocytes are a major killer in premature babies

Need to give steroids to encourage their growth

21
Q

What does lung surfactant do

A

Enables the lung to open and close as it is a friction free fluid

Think of it like putting dish cleaning soap between two sheets of cling film

22
Q

Alveolar pores

A

Small pores that link alveoli to one another

23
Q

Are there alveolar macrophages

A

Yes

Been called dust cells in the past I think

24
Q

Intersititium

A

Lung connective tissue; consists of the capillaries and connective tissue in between them as well as fibroblasts and macrophages

Think of it as pieces of cotton wool between a bunch of grapes (the grapes being the alveoli)

It is what they expand into

It is very delicate/soft and elastic (elastin dense) that allows alveoli to (relatively) easily expand into them

25
Q

What happens if interstitium is damaged; what is a cause of this

A

Scar tissue forms which has strong type I collagen

Total lung capacity will be affected as the alveoli will struggle more to expand

A cause is the inhalation of asbestos

26
Q

Lung Defense Mechanisms

A

Nasal Hair, Mucous on surfaces, Cilia, Saliva (with IgA), replacement of epithelial cells

Cough, sharp-angled airway branching, Ig production

Alveolar macrophages/cytokines/neutrophils