ATI Teas 7 Respiratory System

Upper Respiratory tract

nose and nasal passages, sinuses, tonsils, eustachian tube, pharynx, larynx, uvula, epiglottis.

Nose and nasal passages

clean, warm, and humidify the air.

Sinuses

bone cavities lined with mucous membranes; drain to nasal passages; pathogens can enter.

Eustachian tube (auditory tube)

tube connecting the middle ear to the pharynx; equalizes pressure; pathogens can enter.

Tonsils

form a protective circle of lymphatic tissue around the entrance to the respiratory system. adenoids, palatine, and sublingual.

Adenoid

single mass of lymphoid tissue in the midline at the back of the throat.

Palatine

located on the left and right sides of the throat in the area that is visible through the mouth.

Sublingual

under the tongue.

Uvula

blocks nose from mouth.

Epiglottis

blocks trachea from mouth.

Lower Respiratory tract

larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs.

Pharynx (throat)

Passageway for air, leads to trachea.

Tracheal cartilages

keep the trachea from collapsing.

Trachea

windpipe. made of pseudostratified columnar epithelium.

Esophagus

A muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Posterior to trachea.

Larynx

voice box; passageway for air moving from pharynx to trachea; contains vocal cords.

Laryngeal cartilage

constructs the larynx; protects vocal cords.

Bronchi

The passages that direct air into the lungs.

Bronchioles

smallest branches of airways in the lungs that lead from the bronchi to the alveoli.

Right lung

3 lobes.

Broncho-pulmonary segments

subunits of lungs

Left lung

2 lobes.

The heart is more closer to

the left lung.

Parietal pleura

outer layer of pleura lying closer to the ribs and chest wall.

Visceral pleura

the inner layer of pleura that surrounds each lung.

Pleural cavity

space between the folds of the pleura surrounding each lung.

Diaphragm

Large, flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity that helps with breathing. Expands space, decreases pressure, and causes inhalation.

Terminal bronchioles

smallest bronchioles

Alveoli

Terminal air sacs that constitute the gas exchange surface of the lungs.

Alveolus

tiny air sac at the end of a bronchiole in the lungs that provides surface area for gas exchange to occur.

Gas exchange

the process by which oxygen is transported to pulmonary capillaries and carbon dioxide is transported to alveolus.

Pulmonary blood capillary

has a thin respiratory membrane made of simple squamous epithelia. RBCs deliver carbon dioxide and carry oxygen.

Surfactant cells

control/manage surface area and reduce surface tension in gas exchange. inside alveolus.

Alveolar macrophage

immune system cell of the alveolus that removes debris and pathogens.

Diffusion

higher surface area and concentration gradient, higher rate. further distance, lowers rate.

The alveolus and pulmonary capillary membranes are thin because

it allows for faster diffusion.

Ventilation

movement of air in and out of the lungs. occurs via muscle action and pressure change.

Inhalation

active process. diaphragm and intercostal muscle contracts, volume of thoracic cavity increases while pressure decreases, allowing for air to draw in.

Exhalation

passive process. diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, decreasing volume of thoracic cavity and increasing pressure, allowing for air to be let out.

CO2 accumulation leads to more

hydrogen, making blood acidic.

Breathing is controlled by

medulla oblongata.

Medulla oblongata monitors

carbon dioxide concentration and blood pH.

Tidal volume

amount of air inhaled and exhaled with each breath under resting conditions.

Residual volume

Amount of air remaining in the lungs after a forced exhalation.