Respiratory system Flashcards
(46 cards)
What is the respiratory tract (respiratory system) comprised of?
nose, throat, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs
external nose?
an external structure which projects anteriorly from the face and a larger internal portion consisting if two nasal cavities (nostrils), responsible for smell and air facilitation.
nasal cavities
large paired air filled spaces separated by the nasal septum and continuous with the two nostrils that filters and warms the air.
nasal conchae (nasal turbinates)
curved shelves of bone projecting out of the lateral walls of the nasal cavity (three pairs: inferior, middle and superior).
function of the nasal conchae
to increase surface area of mucosa exposed to air turbulence as air passes through the nose. The inhaled particles are pushed towards the mucosal lining, trapping pathogens from reaching lungs.
paranasal sinuses
group of four paired air filled spaces that surround nasal cavity that warm and fight pathogens in the air before reaching the lungs.
(maxillary sinuses are located under the eyes, frontal is above, ethmoidal are between and sphenoidal are behind).
hard palate
located at the roof of the mouth, formed by a thin horizontal bony palate of the skull that assists swallowing, breathing and speech.
soft palate
soft tissue constituting the back of the roof of the mouth and does not contain bone that assists swallowing, breathing and speech.
Uvula
composed of mainly connective tissue and some muscular fibres its a projection from the posterior edge of the middle of the soft palette (dangly bit at the back of throat) prevents food and liquid from going up your nose when you swallow. It also secretes saliva to keep your mouth hydrated.
Pharynx (throat)
muscular tube that extends from the back of the nasal cavities to the oesophagus that is the passageway for food and air
nasopharynx
posterior to the nasal cavity, contains the tonsils and opening of auditory tubes
orophanyx
located posterior to the mouth contains the tonsil and posterior portion of the tongue
laryngopharynx
located posterior to larynx and continuous with the oesophegous
larynx (voice box)
known as the voice box that facilitates air and food into channels and co ordinates speech, contains the cricoid, thyroid and epiglottis. it protects the lower airway by closing abruptly, halting respiration and preventing the entry of foreign matter into the airway
thyroid cartilage
hyaline cartilage structure that gives the characteristic triangular shape to the anterior wall of the larynx
cricoid cartilage
inferior to and protects the thyroid cartliage and trachea and prevents food and water into windpipe
hyoid bone
horseshoe shaped bone situated in the anterior midline of the neck within the larynx
ventricular/false vocal cords
paired, superior folds of mucous membrane within the larynx
true vocal cords
paired inferior folds of mucous membrane within the larynx that vibrate to facilitate speech
arytenoid cartilages
pair of small triangular shaped cartilages to which vocal cords are attached
trachea (windpipe)
cartilaginous tube (windpipe) that carries oxygen-rich air to your lungs then extends from larynx to the level of thoracic vertebrae then dividing into left and right bronchi then each enters a lung and becomes secondary bronchi.
primary bronchi, secondary and tertiary bronchi
Primary (first) bronchi are comprised of cartilage and mucous membrane which are the left and right main bronchi that enter into the lungs at the lung hila. Secondary bronchi near the middle of your lungs, Tertiary (third) bronchi at the edge of your lungs just before the bronchioles that all assist in conducting air through the lunngs.
c shaped hyaline cartilage rings
ensure the integrity of the trachea wall is maintained so that air can pass through without collapsing. The gap between the open ends of the rings are bridged by connective tissue and smooth muscle so that food can pass through to the oesophoagus.
o shaped cartilage
the cricoid cartilage
