The Respiratory System

Question 1

How is the respiratory system divided?

Answer 1

• anatomically into upper and lower respiratory tracts

- functionally into conducting portion and respiratory portion

Question 2

Name the parts of the lower respiratory tract.

Answer 2

• larynx
• trachea
• bronchi
• lungs

Question 3

What are the functions of the respiratory system?

Answer 3

• main function is ventilation (breathing)
• gas conditioning
• sound production
• olfaction
• defense

Question 4

What is the upper respiratory tract divided into?

Answer 4

• nose and nasal cavities
• paranasal sinuses
• pharynx

Question 5

The upper respiratory tract is part of the ______ portion (functional).

Answer 5

respiratory portion

Question 6

Where is the region that is shared by the respiratory and digestive tracts?

Answer 6

pharynx

Question 7

What are the 3 divisions of the pharynx?

Answer 7

• nasopharynx
• oropharynx
• laryngopharynx

Question 8

Describe the nasopharynx.

Answer 8

• continuous with the nasal cavity and superior to the soft palate
• opening of auditory tubes found in the lateral walls
• posterior nasopharynx wall houses a single pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids)

Question 9

Describe the oropharynx.

Answer 9

• begins at the end of the soft palate and ends at the level of the hyoid bone
• the palatine tonsils are embedded in the lateral wall between the arches
• the lingual tonsils are at the base of the tongue

Question 10

Name the parts of the conducting portion of the lower respiratory tract.

Answer 10

• larynx
• trachea
• bronchi
• bronchioles

Question 11

Name the parts of the respiratory portion of the lower respiratory tract.

Answer 11

• respiratory bronchioles
• alveolar ducts
• alveoli

Question 12

What does the larynx connect?

Answer 12

pharynx and trachea

Question 13

What are the 5 functions of the larynx?

Answer 13

• passageway for air
• prevents ingested material from entering the respiratory tract
• produces sound for speech
• assists in increasing pressure in the abdominal cavity
• participates in both a sneeze and cough reflex

Question 14

What is the largest cartilage in the larynx?

Answer 14

the thyroid cartilage

Question 15

The larynx has a anterior and lateral wall, but no ______wall.

Answer 15

posterior

Question 16

What is the laryngeal prominence?

Answer 16

• v-shaped anterior projection
• usually larger in males than females due to testosterone-induced growth
• aka Adam’s apple

Question 17

What is the cricoid cartilage and where is it found?

Answer 17

ring shaped cartilage found inferior to the thyroid cartilage in the larynx

Question 18

What is the epiglottis?

Answer 18

• spoon-shaped cartilage that projects superiorly into the pharynx
• swallowing causes the epiglottis to close the opening to the larynx

Question 19

Where is the trachea located?

Answer 19

• anterior to the esophagus
• inferior to the larynx
• superior to the main bronchi

Question 20

What are the dimensions of the trachea?

Answer 20

• 2.5 cm in diameter

- 12-14 cm in length

Question 21

What is the name of the c-shaped cartilage that supports the trachea and what ligaments are they connected by?

Answer 21

• tracheal cartilages

- annular ligaments

Question 22

What is the bronchial tree?

Answer 22

a highly branched system of air conducting passages that originate from the main bronchi, progressing through narrower tubes before ending in terminal bronchioles

Question 23

The trachea branches into left and right ____ _____.

Answer 23

main bronchi

Question 24

Each main bronchus divides into ____ _____.

Answer 24

lobar bronchi

Question 25

Lobar bronchi divide into ______ _____.

Answer 25

segmental bronchi

Question 26

All bronchi are lined with ______ ________ _______.

Answer 26

pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Question 27

Bronchioles are lined with ________.

Answer 27

simple columnar or simple squamous epithelium

Question 28

As branching of the bronchial tree continues, the following is observed:

Answer 28

- incomplete rings of cartilage become smaller and less numerous - bronchi branch into bronchioles, which lack rings of cartilage

Question 29

What is in bronchiole walls that allow for bronchoconstriction and bronchodilation?

Answer 29

a relatively thick layer of smooth muscle

Question 30

Bronchioles branch into _______ _______ (last part of conducting system).

Answer 30

terminal bronchioles

Question 31

Terminal bronchioles branch into ______ ______.

Answer 31

respiratory bronchioles

Question 32

Respiratory bronchioles branch into _____ ______.

Answer 32

alveolar ducts

Question 33

Alveolar ducts end with _____.

Answer 33

alveoli

Question 34

What does the thin wall of the alveolus allow for?

Answer 34

the diffusion of respiratory gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the blood and the air in the longs

Question 35

What is the respiratory membrane?

Answer 35

the diffusion barrier across which respiratory gases are exchanged between the blood and the air in the alveoli

Question 36

What does the respiratory membrane consist of?

Answer 36

- plasma membrane of the type I alveolar cell - plasma membrane of the capillary cell - fused basement membrane of both cells

Question 37

Where is the base of the lungs?

Answer 37

inferior, rests on diaphragm

Question 38

Where is the apex of the lungs?

Answer 38

- superior most portion of lung | - projects slightly superior and posterior to the clavicle

Question 39

Where is the hilum of the lungs?

Answer 39

concave region on the mediastinal surface

Question 40

What passes in to and out of the hilum?

Answer 40

bronchi, pulmonary veins, lymphatic vessels, and nerves pass in to and out of the lungs through the hilum

Question 41

Collectively, all structures within the hilum are termed the _____ of the lung.

Answer 41

root

Question 42

Describe the laryngopharynx.

Answer 42

- narrowed, inferior portion | - from hyoid to near the top of esophagus, posterior to larynx