Respiratory System, Microanatomy

During inhalation, air flows into the lungs due to:

Pressure difference

What is the mechanism of inhalation?

Diaphragm contracts/moves downward

external intercostals contract

rib cage will lift

What is the mechanism of exhalation?

Diaphragm and external intercostals relax

lung will recoil

The nasal cavity is divided by:

nasal septum

The root of the nasal cavity contains this mucosa that is responsible for detection of smell and aspects of taste.

olfactory mucosa

The respiratory epithelium (nasal cavity and paranasal sinus mucosa) has what kind of epithelium?

pseudo-stratified ciliated columnar

This is a flexible tube of fibroelastic tissue and cartilage. It is a series of C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage, which prevent collapse during breathing.

Trachea

The trachea is lined with what kind of epithelium?

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar

The lower fold of the larynx is the:

true vocal cord

The upper fold of the larynx is the:

false vocal cord

The false vocal cord is covered by what kind of epithelium?

pseudostratified ciliated columnar

The true vocal cord is covered by what kind of epithelium?

Stratified squamous epithelium

The vast majority of malignant tumors of the larynx are:

squamous cell carcinoma

The main bronchi are also known as the:

primary bronchi

Secondary bronchi are also known as:

lobar bronchi

The tertiary bronchi are also known as the:

segmental bronchi

Cartilage is lost at what point in the respiratory system?

Bronchiole

These are a part of the airway of <1 mm in diameter, w/out cartilage or submucosal glands in the wall

Bronchioles

What regulates the bronchiole diameter since there is no cartilage present?

Smooth muscle

Terminal bronchioles branch into thinner walled:

respiratory bronchioles

These cells produce surfactant, act as stem cells and contain enzymes to detoxify substances.

Clara cells

Alveoli are pockets lined by flattened epithelial cells, known as:

pneumocytes

Type II pneumocytes produce:

surfactant

What is the function of surfactant?

Reduce surface tension/precent alveolar collapse

Epithelium lines each alveolus with what two cell types?

Type I pneumocyte

Type II pneumocyte

What is the morphology of a surfactant cell?

Large nuclei

Plump with dispersed chromatin

Prominent nucleoli

What is the primary malignant tumor of mesothelial cells?

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is related exposure to:

Asbestos

This type of lung cancer is highly malignant, composed of small, tightly packed, darkly stained cells with limited cytoplasm, often necrosis. It has prominent apoptosis and brisk mitotic activity.

Small cell carcinoma

In the lung, adenocarcinoma is a malignant gland forming tumor often arising from what area of the lung?

Periphery of the lung

SCC of the lung arise more:

centrally

this is from chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa (commonly infective or allergic)

Nasal polyps

Silicosis is a form of:

pneumoconionsis

Silicosis occurs in individuals like:

miners and others with industrial exposure to silica dusts