Respiratory Anatomy

Respiration

exchange of gases between an organism and its environment; involves movement of air in and out of the lungs

Air Pressure

results from air molecules exerting force on the walls of a container

Boyle’s Law

Pressure varies inversely with volume for a given amount of gas (ie volume up = pressure down and vice versa)

Air Pressure Formula

Pressure (P) = Force (F) / Area (A)

Thoracic Cavity

enclosed by the thoracic cage and houses the lungs

Abdominal Cavity

below thorax; provides space for the diaphragm to descend during inspiration

Diaphragm

Separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities; floor of thorax and roof of abdomen

Support structures that provide structural framework for thorax

Vertebral column and Rib cage

Foramen

an opening or passageway through a bone

Process

a bony projection; often serves as an attachment or articulation point and helps with orientation

Vertebral Column Order

“Cassie (C_____) Thinks (T______) Loudly (L______) So (S____) Careful (C_____)”

Spinous Process

Bony projection extending posteriorly in Cervical vertebrae

Transverse Process

Paired bony projections extending laterarly each side in Cervical vertebrae

Vertebral Body (Corpus)

large anterior portion; provides support and bears weight

Vertebral Foramen

opening in each vertebra through which the spinal cord passes

Intervertebral Foramen

opening between adjacent vertebrae through which spinal nerves exit the vertebral column

Atlas

(C1) makes nodding possible, rests on the facet for occiput, vertebral foramen, transverse foramen, no vertebral body or true spinous process

Axis

(C2) makes shaking head possible, odontoid process, projects superiorly and serves as pivot for C1

Thoracic Vertebrae

Provide the basis for respiratory framework and articulate with ribs at costal facets

Thoracic Cage

thoracic vertebrae, ribs, sternum

Intervertebral Disk

made primarily of fibrocartilage in between vertebrae

_____ TRUE Ribs

7 pairs of____ Ribs

_____ FALSE Ribs

3 pairs of ____ Ribs

______FLOATING Ribs

2 pairs of _______ Ribs

Manubrium

“handle” of sternum; uppermost component & articulates with clavicle

Corpus

Body of the sternum and attachment site for ribs 2-7

Xiphoid process

Inferior tip of sternum

Manubriosternal Angle

joint between manubrium and body of sternum; symphysis & allows limited movement

Sacrum

transfers body weight from the vertebral column to the pelvis and lower limbs

Coccyx

provides attachment for muscles and ligaments and helps support the body during sitting

Pectoral Girdle

supports upper extremities; clavicle articulates with the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint and with scapula

Pelvic Girdle

connects the lower extremities to the axial skeleton

Respiratory Passageway

provides a pathway for air between the external environment and the lungs

Trachea

flexible/tubular; ~11 cm; 16-20 incomplete C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage; below larynx, anterior to esophagus

Trachea bifurcates at the _______ into the right/left _____

_________at the carina into the _______bronchi

Terminal Bronchioles

last part of the conducting zone (no gas exchange); no cartilage (walls contain smooth muscle)

Respiratory Bronchioles

first part of the respiratory zone (gas exchange begins); have alveoli in their walls

Alveolar Ducts

passageway leading from respiratory bronchioles toward clusters of alveoli

Alveolus (plural=Alveoli)

socket, cavity (singular)

Right Lung

3 lobes (superior, middle, and inferior)

Left Lung

2 lobes (superior and inferior) - because of the heart!

Lungs

spongy, porous, highly elastic, and paired

Diaphragm Sternal Origin

posterior surface of the xiphoid process

Diaphragm Costal Origin

inner surfaces of ribs 7-12 and their costal cartilages

Diaphragm Vertebral Origin

corpus of lumbar vertebrae 1-4 and transverse process of L1

Diaphragm Insertion

central tendon of the diaphragm

Diaphragm Function

increases the vertical dimension of the thoracic cavity during inspiration

Sternocleidomastoid

raises the sternum; rib cage is raised; lung volume will be increased

External Intercostals

elevate ribs up and outward; increase thoracic dimensions during inspiration

Scalenes

elevate ribs 1 and 2 during deeper/forced inspiration

Pectoralis Major

elevates sternum and increases transverse dimension of rib cage

Pectoralis Minor

increases transverse dimension of ribcage