Intro to Respiration II

respiratory tract

branching passageway, carries air to/from gas exchange surfaces of lungs

2 division of respiratory tract

conducting portion and respiratory portion

conducting portion

nasal cavity to larger bronchioles

respiratory portion

smallest bronchioles to alveoli (where gas exchange occurs)

upper respiratory tract

filters, warms, and humidifies incoming air; protects lower tract; reabsorbs heat and water in outgoing air

lower respiratory tract

conducts air to and from gas exchange surfaces

functions of respiratory system

provide SA for gas exchange; move air; protect respiratory surfaces; produce sounds; detect odors

respiratory defense system

series of filtration mechanisms

respiratory mucosa

lines nasal cavity thru large bronchioles; contains pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium w/ mucous cells

lamina propria

underlying areolar tissue; supports respiratory epithelium; has mucous glands in trachea and bronchi

mucocillary escalator

flow of mucus/trapped debris; moved by beating cilia; swept toward pharynx (swallowed or coughed out)

epithelia of respiratory tract

specific type varies along respiratory tract

respiratory mucosa

lines nasal cavity, superior pharynx, and part of lower respiratory tract; made of stratified squamous epithelium and simple squamous eputbelium

stratified squamous epithelium of respiratory mucosa

lines inferior portions of pharynx

simple squamous epithelium of respiratory mucosa

forms gas exchange surfaces

cystic fibrosis

lethal inherited disease; thick mucus that cannot be transported; mucociliary escalator stops clearing debris