respiratory system

nasal cavity function

channels air into pharynx, warms and moistens air

nasal cavity form

mucous membranes, highly vascular

pharynx function

channels air into larynx, warms and moistens air

pharynx form

mucous membrane, L-shaped bend, highly vascular

larynx function

channels air into trachea, modulate vocalisations, excludes solids and liquids from oesophagus

larynx form

rings of cartilage and muscle, glottis, laryngeal muscles (sound control) and epiglottis

trachea function

channels air into lungs

trachea form

flexible tube, anterior to oesophagus

bronchus

“branches” coming from trachea into lungs

alveolar

composed of multiple alveoli

bronchioles

composed of multiple alveolar

vascular epithelium

warms cold air because it is highly vascular

mucous membrane

damp and stick, moistens dry air

nasal conchae

L-shaped bend in pharynx ensures air spends more time in contact with vascular epithelium and mucous membranes

sneeze reflex

triggered by irritation of nasal mucosa, expels irritants

alveolar macrophages

embedded in alveoli walls, destroys particulates and pathogens

mucociliary escalator

ciliated goblet cells sweep debris towards pharynx to be expelled or swallowed

tonsils

detect and tap inhaled pathogens and flush them via lymphatic system

pressure

the more stuff in the container, the more pressure the stuff exerts on the container

pressure gradient

movement of substances from area of high pressure to low pressure

competing pressures

divider moved by pressure gradient until pressure is equal

quiet/tidal breathing

breathing under normal circumstances

visceral pleura

pleura stuck to lungs

parietal pleura

pleura stuck to ribs and diaphragm

intrapleural cavity

cavity between lungs and ribs

inhalation

diaphragm pulls down, intrapleural cavity expands, lungs expand, air moves into lungs

exhalation

diaphragm relaxes, intrapleural cavity constricts, lungs constrict, air moves out of lungs

ventilation rate

volume moved with each inhalation or exhalation x breaths per minute

forced breathing

active manipulation of breathing that uses inspiratory and expiratory reserve volume

external respiration

occurs between lungs (alveoli) and blood supply

internal respiration

occurs between blood supply and cells/systemic tissues

conducting zone

passage moving air into and out of lungs

respiratory zone

involved in gas exchange directly

chemoreceptors

detect gas levels and adjust alveolar ventilation rate and depth

baroreceptors

detect changes in pressure and vasodilate/constrict blood vessels

chemo/mechano receptors

detect irritants and cause cough/sneeze reflex

pontine respiratory group, vental respiratory group, dorsal respiratory group

brain autonomic respiratory centers

cerebral motor cortex, pons and medulla oblongata

voluntary control of respiratory system