Structure/function of respiratory system Flashcards
(32 cards)
what is the role of the respiratory system?
intake of oxygen from the air to the body and removal of co2 from the body to the air
what does the respiratory system consist of?
lungs and respiratory muscles (diaphragm and internal intercostals)
what other system does the respiratory system work with?
the CV system
o2 is vital for the body to perform what?
daily functions and is essential for aerobic energy production and muscle work
location of the lungs?
right/left lung located in thorax. positioned either side of rib cage so have protection. diaphragm separates thorax from abdomen.
what is the position of the heart?
between lungs (slightly left of centre) posterior to rib cage
what is the function of the lungs?
they take 02 from air to body and remove c02
gas inhaled percentages?
79% nitrogen
21% oxygen
less than 1% co2
0.001% trace gases
what are the 2 breathing stimulus mechanisms?
1) increased level of CO2 in blood
2) stretch receptors in respiratory muscles being stretched
describe the passage of air through respiratory tract:
nose and mouth-pharynx(throat)-larynx(voice box)-trachea-primary bronchi(left and right)-alveoli
what are the main muscles used in breathing?
diafragm and internal/external intercostals.
main phases of breathing?
inspiration and expiriation
describe what happens during inspiration.
diafragm contracts, external intercostals contract and rib cage raises. these actions increase chest cavity volume creating negative pressure between air and lungs(vacuum). this negative pressure sucks air into lungs until pressure is balanced
describe what happens during expiration
diafragm relaxes and rises upwards, internal intercostals relax so chest cavity volume falls. creates positive pressure ‘pushing’ air out of the lungs
describe what happens in exercise
breathing is more vigorous. internal intercostals more active. during expiration they contract forcing ribs down and moves air out of the lungs
what are the 3 types of breathing patterns?
1) costal
2) diaphragmatic
3) lateral/thoracic
what is costal breathing?
-shallow pattern through chest
-contraction of external intercostals muscles
usually associated with sedentary lifestyle because diagram has less space to move
what is diaphragmatic breathing?
- deeper method
- abdomen encouraged to rise and fall
- contraction and lowering of diafragm
- promoted in yoga to assist relaxion
what is lateral/thoracic breathing ?
- encourages sides and back of rib cage to expand during inhalation to minimise expansion of ribcage and use of lower legs
- engages abdominals while exercises
- very efficient
describe what happens at the lungs and CV system?
- 02 in alveoli diffuse into bloodstream, travels to heart and circulated around body
- co2 transported from body via blood, diffuses into alveoli and removed expiration
describe what happens in the body and CV system?
- o2 in blood diffuses into mitochondria (cells) for aerobic energy production
- co2 from cells diffuse into blood, circulated back to heat and then onto the lungs for removal in expiration
definition. of diffusion
movement of a gas from an area of high partial pressure to that of a low.
describe diffusion
- concentration of 02 less from mouth to lungs so gas flows in this direction, co2 flows in opposite direction.
- when 02 gets to alveoli it continues to follow this contraction gradient and diffuse into bloodstream
- alveoli have minute capilleries running over/around them
- alveolar/capillery walls are so thin so gasses go through them
what is the role of haemoglobin and what does it do for the respiratory and CV system?
- it is the protein in ref blood cells that carries 02,co2 etc in blood.
- the 02 combines with haemoglobin, at the same time co2 dissociates and diffuses into the blood into alveoli in lungs to be removed
