Respiratory System Flashcards
(89 cards)
Functions of the Respiratory System
- supply the body with oxygen
- disposes of carbon dioxide
4 Processes of Respiration
- Pulmonary Ventilation (inhalation and exhalation)
- External Respiration (pick up O2 in lungs)
- Transportation of Respiratory Gases (via blood)
- Internal Respiration (O2 given to tissues)
The Two Zones of the Respiratory System
Conducting Zone - progressively smaller passages which warm, moisten and clean air as they convey it into the lungs
Respiratory Zone - the site of gas exchange within the lungs
Organs of the Conducting Zone
(from outermost to innermost)
Nasal Cavity
Nasopharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Terminal Bronchioles
Organs of the Respiratory Zone
(from outermost to innermost)
Respiratory Bronchioles
Alveolar Ducts
Alveoli
The Divisions of the Respiratory Tract (based on location)
Upper Respiratory Tract - organs in head and neck, through larynx
Lower Respiratory Tract - organs of the thorax, trachea through lungs
What is the function of the nose? And what are some of its structures?
- provides a respiratory airway
- moistens, warms and filters air
structures:
- external nares
- nasal septum
- internal nares (choanae)
- vibrissae
- vestibule
- olfactory receptors
2

superior nasal concha
3

middle nasal concha
4

inferior nasal concha
5-7

Superior, Middle and Inferior Nasal Meatus (respectively)
- narrow mucosa-lined passages beneath each concha
- narrowness and turbulence increases air contact with mucous
8

External Nares
- nostrils
- external openings to nasal cavity
1

Internal Nares
- posterior openins of nasal cavity into pharynx
- posterior ends of the nasal meatuses
area just inside #8

Vestibule
- anterior region of nasal cavity just inside the nostirls
entire open space composed of #2-7

nasal cavity
What is the function of the nasal conchae? And what are they?
- they create air turbulence and increase the amount of contact between the nasal mucosa and inhaled air
- medially-projecting scroll-like mucosal structures on the walls of the nasal cavity
Two Types of Nasal Mucosa
Olfactory Mucosa - small patch near roof of nasal cavity which houses olfactory receptors
Respiratory Mucosa - lines nasal cavity
Respiratory Mucosa
- composition?
- function?
Composition:
- pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
- contains goblet cells
- underlying lamina propria with glands
Function:
- mucosa warms, moistens and filters air
- cilia move contaminated mucus posteriorly (to pharynx)
cavities shown here
- what are they?
- what lines them?
- what is their function?

paranasal sinuses
- air-filled cavities within bones surrounded nasal cavity
- lined by mucosa
- lighten the skull and produce mucous which drains into nasal cavity
What is the highlighted area?
Its parts?
Its function?

Pharynx
- three parts:
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- laryngopharynx
- functions to warm, moisten and filter air as it conducts it towards the lungs
- skeletal muscle to assist in swallowing
Area posterior to internal nares, superior to soft palate
Nasopharynx
- most superior division of the pharynx
- Eustachian tubes enter here

area posterior to oral cavity, superior to the epiglottis, inferior to palate
oropharynx
- where pharynx meets oral cavity at opening formed by posteroinferior tip of palate and superior tip of epiglottis
Area inferior to the epiglottis and superior to the esophagus
Laryngopharynx
- attached to larynx
- most inferior portion of pharynx




















































