Respiratory System and Swallowing Review

Question-and-answer flashcards covering key lecture points on respiratory anatomy, physiology, and related clinical concepts.

What nerve innervates the diaphragm?

The phrenic nerve.

Which muscle is primarily responsible for breathing?

The diaphragm.

Where does the upper respiratory tract end?

At the larynx.

Which division of the respiratory system is responsible for gas exchange?

The respiratory division.

At what two sites in the body does gas exchange occur?

Between alveoli and pulmonary capillaries (lungs) and between systemic capillaries and body cells (cellular respiration).

Inside cells, what gas is consumed and what gas is produced during cellular respiration?

Oxygen is consumed; carbon dioxide is produced.

What is the medical term for swallowing?

Deglutition.

Which structure prevents food from entering the nasal cavity during swallowing?

The soft palate (and its uvula).

What structure covers the glottis to keep food out of the airway?

The epiglottis.

Name the tube that carries food from the pharynx to the stomach.

The esophagus.

What is the function of the nasal conchae?

They create air turbulence to warm, humidify, and filter inhaled air.

What is the mucus-lined passage beneath each nasal concha called?

A nasal meatus.

Which skull bone contains the cribriform plate for olfactory nerves?

The ethmoid bone.

What "brain-eating" amoeba can enter through the cribriform plate?

Naegleria fowleri.

Which cells secrete mucus in the respiratory epithelium?

Goblet cells.

Which antibacterial enzyme is found in respiratory mucus?

Lysozyme.

What term describes the upward movement of mucus by beating cilia?

The mucociliary escalator.

Why does smoking impair the mucociliary escalator?

Tar paralyzes the cilia, so mucus must be cleared by coughing.

Which laryngeal cartilage forms the Adam’s apple?

The thyroid cartilage.

What complete ring of cartilage lies inferior to the thyroid cartilage?

The cricoid cartilage.

Of what type of cartilage are tracheal rings composed?

Hyaline cartilage.

What cells produce the cartilage matrix in tracheal rings?

Chondrocytes.

What is the first part of the airway tree that lacks cartilaginous support?

The bronchioles.

Where do most lung cancers originate?

In the primary bronchi.

How many lobes does the right lung have?

Three lobes.

How many lobes does the left lung have?

Two lobes.

What membrane is directly adherent to the lung surface?

The visceral pleura.

What membrane lines the inner chest wall around the lungs?

The parietal pleura.

What is the fluid-filled space between the pleural membranes called?

The pleural cavity.

What term describes inflammation of the pleura?

Pleuritis.

What is the medical term for a collapsed lung?

Atelectasis.

Which vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?

The pulmonary artery.

Which vessel returns oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?

The pulmonary vein.

What tiny air sacs are the main site of gas exchange in the lungs?

Alveoli.

How thick is the respiratory membrane at the alveolus–capillary interface?

Only one cell layer on each side (extremely thin).

Which alveolar cells produce surfactant?

Great (Type II) alveolar cells.

What does pulmonary surfactant do?

Reduces surface tension, making alveoli easier to inflate (increases compliance).

Premature infants lacking surfactant experience what condition?

Neonatal respiratory distress requiring ventilatory support.

What immune cells clean debris in the alveoli?

Alveolar macrophages (dust cells).

Through which tube can a throat infection spread to cause a middle-ear infection?

The auditory (eustachian) tube.

What function does the hard palate serve during swallowing?

The tongue presses against it to form the food bolus and block food from re-entering the mouth.

What reflex clears mucus in smokers whose cilia are paralyzed?

The cough reflex.

Why does breathing through the nose at night benefit airway health?

Nasal passages warm, humidify, filter air, and facilitate nitric oxide production.

What surface-area comparison illustrates the vast size of alveolar exchange surfaces?

Flattened alveoli would cover roughly half of a tennis court.