Respiratory System

Question 1

List the functions of the respiratory system?

Answer 1

1. enables breathing
2. Consists of lungs and passages
3. Located within the chest cavity, protected by ribs
4. Diaphragm separates the lungs from the abdominal cavity
5. Each breath cycle, gas exchange occurs
6. Oxygen is taken in
7. Carbon dioxide is let out

Question 2

List the pathway of air in the respiratory system (10):

Answer 2

Nose—> now
Paranasal sinuses—> Peter
Pharynx—> picks 
Larynx—> love 
Trachea—> to
Bronchial tract—> better
Lungs—> life 
Bronchi—> before 
Alveoli—> anything

Question 3

Describe the nose in the respiratory system pathway:

Answer 3

• Air is inhaled through the nose, where the air is moistened and warmed.
• Small hairs filter out impurities (air can also be inhaled through the mouth)

Question 4

Describe the Paranasal sinuses of the respiratory system pathway:

Answer 4

• Air-filled extensions of the nasal cavity.

- There are four sets of sinuses located beside the nose and in the forehead

Question 5

Describe the Pharynx, Larynx, and Trachea of the respiratory system pathway:

Answer 5

• The air proceeds down through the pharynx, larynx and into the trachea (windpipe).
• The trachea consists of 16-20 rings of cartilage stacked on top of each other. They form a semi-rigid support that keep the airway open
• at about the level of the 5th thoracic vertebra, the trachea divides and becomes the bronchial tract

Question 6

Describe the Bronchial tract of the respiratory system pathway:

Answer 6

-At about the level of the 5th vertebra, the trachea divides and becomes the -Bronchial tract which enter each lung

Question 7

Describe the Lungs of the respiratory system pathway:

Answer 7

• located in the thoracic cavity (chest) and rest on the diaphragm.
• Each lung is a separate organ which is surrounded by the pleura, a membrane that protects each lung

Question 8

Describe the Bronchi of the respiratory system pathway:

Answer 8

-Inside each lung the bronchial tracts branch into smaller secondary bronchi, which then branch into smaller and smaller (9) bronchioles

Question 9

Describe the Alveoli of the respiratory system pathway:

Answer 9

• eventually the bronchioles branch into alveoli which are the air sacs in the lungs
• they have very thin walls the contain a lot of elastic tissue. Alveoli stretch as they fill with air, like little balloons
• The alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries (tiny blood vessels) which bring deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
• Oxygen is transferred from the alveoli to the capillaries, which then take the oxygenated blood to the heart, to be pumped to all cells of the body

Question 10

Describe the Diaphragm:

Answer 10

-The diaphragm is the main muscle of inhalation.
-When it contracts, it depends and enlarges the thoracic cavity
-The external intercostal muscles also assist by lifting the ribs.
-Air pressure in the lungs drops, air is drawn and normal breathing occurs
-other accessory muscles that help with breathing include:
intercostal,
scalene,
abdominal,
pectoralis minor,
sternocleidomastoid,
(isaps)

Question 11

Describe breathing:

Answer 11

• a process of the autonomic nervous system, which can be controlled or over-ridden by conscious effort
• During deep, forceful exhalation, secondary muscles of respiration will also be used

Question 12

What is dyspnea? (Pathologies of the respiratory system)

Answer 12

• a subjective sensation of difficulty breathing
• It is usually described as breathlessness and shortness of breath
• it may be caused by respiratory diseases

Question 13

What is a common cold? (Pathologies of the respiratory system)

Answer 13

• a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, which occurs more frequently than any other respiratory tract infection.
• It is accompanied by excessive production of nasal secretions
• The person may experience headaches and fatigue

Question 14

What is influenza? (Pathologies of the respiratory system)

Answer 14

• A viral infection that can affect the upper and lower respiratory tracts.
• It usually occurs in epidemics.
• Can cause symptoms that affect the nose, throat or lungs.
• There is usually an abrupt onset of fever and chills, fatigue, muscle aching. Headache, nasal discharge, non-productive cough and sore throat.
• -Flu virus is spread by large droplet spray (from someone sneezing or coughing) or by hands

Question 15

What is Pneumonia? (Pathologies of the respiratory system)

Answer 15

• -The term “pneumonia” describes inflammation of the bronchioles or alveoli of the lungs.
• It can be caused by infection from bacteria and viruses, or by gastric secretions that are aspirated (breathed) into the lungs.
• -pneumonia can usually be treated effectively with antibiotics but can be fatal to the elderly or people with compromised immune systems

Question 16

What is Tuberculosis? (pathologies of the respiratory system)

Answer 16

• The worlds foremost cause of death from infection
• It is an infectious disease which is spread by inhaling the bacteria circulating in the air
• there are not usually any symptoms in the early stages and the disease is diagnosed by a positive tuberculin skin test
• In the later stages the symptoms are low- grade fever, shortness of breath, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss and a cough which becomes productive with purulent and sometimes blood-tinged sputum.
• The disease is treated with multiple anti-bacterial medications, although some types of tuberculosis are resistant to medication

Question 17

What is Asthma? (Pathologies of the respiratory system)

Answer 17

• A very common chronic obstructive airway disease.
• Asthma attacks can be triggered by allergies, respiratory tract infections, cold air, exercise, drugs and chemicals, hormonal changes, emotional upsets, air borne pollutants, and gastroesophageal reflux.
• Persons with asthma exhibit a wide range of signs and symptoms from episodic wheezing and feelings of chest tightness, to an acute, immobilizing attack.

Question 18

Describe asthma attacks.

Answer 18

• The attacks differ from person to person, and between attacks, many people are symptom free
• Attacks may occur spontaneously or in response to various triggers
• Asthma is often worse at night and may be worse anytime the person is laying down
• During an asthmatic attack, the airways narrow because of spasm of the bronchial tubes, edema (swelling) of the bronchial mucosa (the ligning of the bronchial tracts) and mucous plugging.
• Air becomes trapped behind the narrow airways and the person has difficulty breathing out.
• During a severe attack, the shoulders are raised, the person is wheezing or may be coughing to expel air, the skin becomes moist and anxiety and apprehension becomes obvious.
• The person may be only able to speak one or two worse before having to take a breath

Question 19

What should be done if the client is having an asthma attack?

Answer 19

• The service provider should hand the person their medication (usually an inhaler or puffer) and allow them to administer it themselves
• Service should be discontinued
• If severe symptoms are obvious, and breathing does not improve, have the client taken to the hospital immediately

Question 20

What is Bronchitis? (Pathologies of the respiratory system)

Answer 20

• In chronic bronchitis, airway obstruction is caused by: inflammation of the major and small airways
• There is edema and excess production of mucous into the bronchial passages.
• A history of a chronic productive cough for mroe than three months is necessary for a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis.
• Often the cough has been present for years
• Chronic bronchitis is seen in mostly people who are smokers who have recurrent infections

Question 21

What is Emphysema? (Pathologies of the respiratory system)

Answer 21

• It is characterized by a loss of elasticity of the lungs, and destruction of the alveolar walls and capillary beds
• There is extreme shortness of breath and use of accessory muscles to breath
• This eventually results in a “barrel chest”
• weight loss occurs due to difficulty eating
• emphysema is caused by years of smoking, inhaling pollutants (workplace) or a hereditary factor