Respiratory System Flashcards
(144 cards)
cells produce energy
for maintenance, growth, defense, and division
through mechanisms that use oxygen and produce carbon dioxide
oxygen
is obtained from the air by diffusion across delicate exchange surfaces of lungs
is carried to cells by the cardiovascular system which also returns carbon dioxide to the lungs
functions of the respiratory system
external respiration
acid-base balance
produces sounds for communication
provide olfactory sensation=smell
blood pressure regulation (synthesis of Angiotensin 2)
protects respiratory surfaces from outside environment
external respiration
provides extensive gas exchange surface area between air and circulating blood (O2 and CO2)
acid-base balance
influences pH of body fluids by elimination of CO2
protects respiratory surfaces from outside environment
dehydration, temperature changes, invasion by pathogens
principal organs of the respiratory system
nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs
the respiratory system is divided into
the upper respiratory system, above the larynx
the lower respiratory system, from the larynx down
upper respiratory system
function to warm and humidify air
nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx- naso, oro and laryngo
lower respiratory system
conduction portion and respiratory portion
conduction portion
bring air to respiratory surfaces
larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles
respiratory portion
gas exchange
alveoli
alveoli
are air-filled pockets within the lungs
where all gas exchange takes place
the respiratory mucosa
consists of an epithelial layer and an areolar layer called the lamina propria
lines the conducting portion of respiratory system
structure of respiratory epithelium
pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with numerous mucous cells- nasal cavity and superior portion of the pharynx
stratified squamous epithelium- inferior portions of the pharynx
pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium- superior portion of the lower respiratory system
cuboidal epithelium with scattered cilia- smaller bronchioles
alveolar epithelium
is a very delicate, simple squamous epithelium
contains scattered and specialized cells
lines exchange surfaces of alveoli
lamina propria
underlying layer of areolar tissue that supports the respiratory epithelium
in the upper respiratory system, trachea, and bronchi- it contains mucous glands that secret onto epithelial surface
in the conducting portion of lower respiratory system- it contains smooth muscle cells that encircle lumen of bronchioles
the respiratory defense system
consists of a series of filtration mechanisms
removes particles and pathogens
components of the respiratory defense system
- filtration in nasal cavity removes large particles
- mucus- from goblet cells and glands in lamina propria traps foreign objects
- cilia “mucus escalator”- move carpet of mucus with trapped debris out of the respiratory tract
- alveolar macrophages- phagocyte particles that reach alveoli
disorders of the respiratory defense system
- cystic fibrosis caused by failure of mucus escalator, results in thick mucus which blocks airways and encourages bacteria growth
- smoking-> destroys cilia
- inhalation of irritation-> chronic inflammation-> cancer e.g. squamous cell carcinoma
the nose
only external feature
air enters the respiratory system through external nares into nasal vestibule
space in flexible part, lined with hairs to filter particles, leads to nasal cavity
nasal hairs in nasal vestibule are the first particle filtration system
the nasal cavity
the nasal septum divides nasal cavity into left and right
superior portion of nasal cavity is the olfactory epithelium-> provides sense of smell
nasal conchae (superior, middle, inferior) project into cavity on both sides
hard and soft palate
air flow-> nasal cavity opens into nasopharynx through internal nares
nasal conchae
causes air to swirl
1. increase likelihood of trapping foreign material in mucus
2. provide time for smell detection
3. provide time and contact to warm and humidify air
hard palate
forms floor of nasal cavity
separates nasal and oral cavities