Respiratory System Flashcards
(42 cards)
What is included in this upper respiratory tract?
- Nasal cavity
- Pharynx
- Larynx
What is the role of the nasal cavity?
Chambers internal nose where air is inhaled and humidified as it moves further into the nasal cavitiy
Describe the structure of the nasal cavities?
1 Scroll-shaped bones
2 Epithelial cilia and mucous membranes line inside
What are the functions of the nasal cavity’s
structure?
- scroll- heaped bones: allows air to swirl allowing time to humidify, warm and clean air before entering the lungs
- Epithelial cilia and muscles membrane line inside: produces mucous along with cilia to trap unwanted large particles
What is the role of the Pharynx?
Connects Nasal and Oral cavities to Larynx and oesophagus
Describe the structure of the Pharynx?
Includes the Nasopharynx, oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx
Describe the position of the sub units of the Pharynx.
- Nasopharynx is located behind the nasal cavity
- Oropharynx is located behind the oral cavity
- Laryngopharynx is the lowest part of the pharynx
What are the functions of the sub units of the Pharynx?
- Nasopharynx - lined with ciliated epithelium, helps in the movement of mucus and the trapping of particles
- Oropharynx - contains the palatine tonsils, which are part of the immune system and help protect the body against infections
- Laryngopharynx - common pathway for both air and food, serving as a junction point where the respiratory and digestive pathways diverge
Larynx - voice box, also aids in blocking food from entering trachea
What happens when breathing?
Epiglottis stay up for air to pass between Laryngopharynx and larynx
What happens when eating?
Epiglottis folds backwards to cover the entrance of the larynx so food does not enter the trachea
What is included in the lower respiratory tract?
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Alveolar sacs
- Alveoli
Describe the structure of the trachea.
‘C’ shaped cartilage rings
What is the function of the trachea?
Conduct air from larynx to bronchi to the lungs.
Lined with epithelial cilia cells, traps and sweeps up unwanted particles to be swollen or coughed
Rings provide structure to prevent trachea from collapsing
Describe the position of trachea
Extends from the lower border of the larynx, divides into right and left bronchi
What is the position of the Bronchi?
They branch off from the trachea (windpipe) and go into the lungs, where they further divide
How is the conducting zone developed?
- The trachea divides into two main bronchi.
- There are two primary bronchi, one for each lung.
- This divides into the secondary bronchi, the right lung having 3 (supplying upper, middle, lower) while the left has 2 (supplying upper and lower)
- The secondary bronchi continue to divide into smaller tubes called tertiary bronchi
- Tertiary bronchi further branch into smaller tubes called bronchioles.
- The smallest bronchioles are called terminal bronchioles.
What do the terminal bronchioles mark?
The end of the conducting zone and the beginning of the respiratory zone in the lungs.
What is the function of the conducting zone?
Serves as a passageway for air
What is the function of the respiratory zone?
Facilitate in gas exchange between air and blood, allowing respiration to take place.
What are the structures involved in the respiratory zone?
- Respiratory bronchioles
- Alveolar ducts
- Alveolar sacs
What is the function of the respiratory bronchioles?
Transitional structure between conducting and respiratory zone.
What is the function of the alveolar ducts?
Connect the respiratory bronchioles to the alveolar sacs.
What is the function of the alveolar sacs?
Clusters of alveoli, which are tiny air-filled sacs surrounded by capillaries. Gas exchange occurs across the thin walls of the alveoli.
What protection do the lungs have against infection?
Epithelium, cilia, and goblet cells lines the airways from nasal cavity to the largest bronchioles
