Respiratory system 2

Question 1

What makes up the Lower Respiratory tract (LRT)

Answer 1

Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli

Question 2

What is the function of the LRT

Answer 2

Conducts air to/from site of gas exchange
Completes cleaning, warming and humidifying of air
Barrier between air and blood (large surface area for gas exchange)

Question 3

Describe the larynx

Answer 3

Air passage
Cartilages protect and maintain open airways
Epiglottis closes over airway when swallowing

Question 4

Where is the larynx located

Answer 4

Anterior to esophagus

From hyoid bone to trachea

Question 5

What are the main bits of cartilage in the larynx

Answer 5

Epiglottis (just under tongue)
Thyroid cartilage (laryngeal prominence)
Cricoid cartilage

Question 6

What is the glottis

Answer 6

Voice box

Question 7

What are the two types of folds

Answer 7

Vocal folds

Vestibular folds

Question 8

Where are the vocal folds

Answer 8

Attached to cartilages

Question 9

Describe vocal folds

Answer 9

‘true’ vocal cords
Passing air causes vibrations (sounds waves)
Used for normal speech

Question 10

What affects vocal folds

Answer 10

Testosterone - affects the cartilage and muscle - Longer, thicker folds. Deeper voice

Question 11

Describe Vestibular folds

Answer 11

‘false’ vocal cords
Superior to vocal cords
Prevent foreign object entry to glottis
Produce deep sounds`

Question 12

Where is the trachea located

Answer 12

Anterior to esophagus

Between larynx and primary bronchi

Question 13

What are the functions of the trachea

Answer 13

Maintain patent airway - C-shaped cartilage rings
- Elastin fibres in lamina propria/submucosa
Clean, warm, humidify air

Question 14

What connects the ends of C shaped cartilage rings

Answer 14

Trachealis - band of smooth muscle - contracts for coughing (as well as elastin fibres recoiling)

Question 15

How are debris removed from the trachea

Answer 15

Mucociliary escalator - goblet cells and mucus glands coat surface and traps debris. Cilia move mucus up to pharynx to be swallowed and digested

Question 16

How many lobes does each lung have

Answer 16

Right has 3

Left has 2

Question 17

What is the hilum

Answer 17

Where bronchi and blood vessels enter

Question 18

What is the costal surface of the lungs

Answer 18

Outer surface - against ribs

Question 19

Describe 1 degree bronchi

Answer 19

Respiratory epithelium

Complete cartilage and smooth muscle rings

Question 20

Describe 2 and 3 degree bronchi

Answer 20

Respiratory epithelium decease in height
Num. of goblet cells decrease
Cartilage plates (air P holds open)

Question 21

Describe Bronchioles

Answer 21

Cuboidal epithelium
No cartilage
Thick smooth muscle for bronchoconstriction/dilation
No goblet cells

Question 22

Describe Terminal Bronchioles

Answer 22

Each supplies a pulmonary lobule

Site of gas exchange

Question 23

What is a pulmonary lobule

Answer 23

Made up of many alveoli (air sacks)
Most of lunch volume - enormous surface area
(150 million alveoli per lung)

Question 24

Describe alveoli

Answer 24

Very thin - simple squamous epithelium on thin basement membrane
Covered in fine network of pulmonary capillaries
Open at one end

Question 25

What are the two types of pneumocytes

Answer 25

(lung epithelial cells)
Type 1 squamous
Type 2 cuboidal

Question 26

Describe Type 1 squamous

Answer 26

Forms respiratory membrane (blood-air barrier) with capillary wall and shared basement membrane

Question 27

Describe type 2 cuboidal

Answer 27

Scattered amongst type 1

secrete surfactant - complex lipoprotein (phospholipid) - reduces surface tension of alveolar fluid.

Question 28

Describe structure of alveolus

Answer 28

Roaming macrophage - removes debris
Capillary (oxygenated blood)
Connections to neighbouring alveoli

Question 29

What are the layers of the respiratory membrane (From air to blood)

Answer 29

Alveolar cell layer (type 1 epithelial cell)
Fused basement membrane
Capillary endothelium