Week 11 Content Flashcards
(164 cards)
The Respiratory System
Facilitate gas exchange
Delivers oxygen to bloodstream, remove carbon dioxide from tissues
Filters, warms air, protects lungs
Regulates pH
Voice
Key Components
Upper respiratory tract: Nose, nasal cavities, pharynx, and larynx
Lower respiratory tract: Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli
Respiratory System Zones
- Conducting zone: Respiratory passageways that transport air
- Respiratory zone: Site of gas exchange in the lungs
Key Structures of the Respiratory System
Nose, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses
Pharynx, larynx, and trachea
Bronchi and smaller branches
Lungs and alveoli
Nose
Airway for respiration
Moistens, warms, and filters air
Resonating chamber for speech
Houses olfactory receptors
External Nose Skeletal Framework Diagram
Nasal Cavity Structures
External nares (nostrils): Anterior openings
Divided by nasal septum
Posterior nasal apertures (choanae): Posterior openings
Continuous with nasopharynx
Nasal Mucosa
- Olfactory mucosa: Roof of nasal cavity, has olfactory receptors
- Respiratory mucosa: Lines nasal cavity, filters, warms, and humidifies air
Respiratory Mucosa
Goblet cells secrete mucus
Cilia move mucus and contaminants to pharynx
Swallowed and digested
Sensory nerves (trigeminal nerve; CN V) supply the mucosa
Nasal Conchae (Turbinates)
Curved bones regulating airflow
Superior and middle conchae: Part of the ethmoid bone
Inferior conchae: Separate bones, project from lateral nasal wall
Functions of Nasal Conchae
Increase surface area
Create turbulent airflow
Filter, warm, and humidify air
Trap particles and pathogens in mucus
Conserve moisture and heat during exhalation
Paranasal Sinuses
- Frontal sinus
- Maxillary sinus
- Sphenoid sinus
- Ethmoid sinus
Paranasal Sinuses
Frontal sinus: Frontal bone, lighten skull and enhance voice resonance
Maxillary sinus: Maxillary bones, largest, drain mucus, affect voice tone
Sphenoid sinus: Sphenoid bone, air reservoir, influence voice quality
Ethmoid sinus: Ethmoid bone, warm, filter, and moisten air
Pharynx
Funned-shaped passageway
Connects nasal cavity to mouth
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx
Nasopharynx
Above food entry
Air passage only, closed during swallowing
Uvulva moves superiorly to block it
Continuous with nasal cavity
Features of the Nasopharynx
Pharyngeal tonsil (Adenoids): Posterior wall, destroys inhaled pathogens
Auditory tube opening: Connects middle ear to nasopharynx, pressure balance
Tubal tonsil: Surrounds auditory tube, protects against infection
Oropharynx
Fauces: Arched opening from soft palate to epiglottis
Palatine tonsils: Lateral walls of fauces
Lingual tonsils: Posterior surface of tongue
Laryngopharynx
Passage for food and air
Continuous with esophagus (food) and larynx (air)
Extends to inferior cricoid cartilage boundary
Pharynx Diagram
Larynx
Voice box, C4-C6
Attaches to hyoid superiorly
Opens into laryngopharynx
Transitions into trachea
Controlled by vagus nerve (Cranial nerve X)
Larynx Functions
Voice production, houses vocal cords
Maintains open airway
Routes air and food
Superior opening closed during swallowing, open during breathing
Larynx Structure
Single cartilages
1. Thyroid cartilage
2. Cricoid cartilage
3. Epiglottis
Paired cartilages
1. Arytenoid cartilage
2. Corniculate cartilages
3. Cuneiform cartilages
Single Cartilages of the Larynx
Thyroid cartilage: Largest, forms laryngeal prominence (Adam’s apple)
Cricoid cartilage: Ring-shaped, connects larynx to trachea
Epiglottis: Covers laryngeal opening during swallowing
Paired Cartilage of the Larynx
Arytenoid cartilages: Anchor vocal cords
Corniculate cartilages: Small, horn-shaped, top of arytenoids
Cuneiform cartilages: Rod-shaped, structural support