Respiratory System Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

Flashcards testing knowledge on respiratory system structures, physiology, respiratory rates, disorders, diagnostics, treatments, and medical professions based on lecture notes.

What are the primary functions of the human respiratory system?

Inhaling fresh air, exchanging harmful carbon dioxide for life-sustaining oxygen between the air sacs of the lungs and the bloodstream, and exhaling old, stale air.

What are the main functions of the nasal cavity?

It filters, warms, and humidifies (adds moisture to) inhaled air.

What is ventilation, and how does it differ from mechanical ventilation?

Ventilation is the movement of air into and out of the lungs. Mechanical ventilation is a life-sustaining procedure used when people are unable to breathe adequately on their own.

What is the difference between external respiration and internal respiration?

External respiration is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the cells of the body. Internal respiration is gas exchange at the cellular and tissue levels in the capillaries, where the bloodstream carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

What is respiratory rate, and why is it measured?

Respiratory rate is the number of breaths a person takes in a minute. It is a vital sign used to measure respiratory system function and allows healthcare professionals to assess breathing patterns without patient awareness.

Which structures comprise the upper respiratory tract?

The nose, nasal cavities, sinus cavities, pharynx, and larynx.

What are the three main regions of the nasal cavities and their functions?

1. Vestibular region: contains coarse hairs that filter air as a first line of defense against infection.
2. Olfactory region: connected to the senses of smell and taste.
3. Respiratory region: warms and humidifies air passing through it.

Which four paranasal sinuses make up the sinus cavities?

Frontal sinus, ethmoid sinus, maxillary sinus, and sphenoid sinus.

What are the three sections of the pharynx, and what passes through each?

1. Nasopharynx: air passes through.
2. Oropharynx: air, food, and liquid pass through.
3. Laryngopharynx: air, food, and liquid pass through.

What is the function of the epiglottis during swallowing?

It closes the opening to the larynx when food or liquid is swallowed to prevent aspiration.

Which structures comprise the lower respiratory tract?

Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and lungs.

What is the carina?

The site located about halfway down the chest where the trachea bifurcates (divides) into the right mainstem bronchus and left mainstem bronchus.

What role does surfactant play in the alveoli?

Surfactant helps prevent the collapse of alveoli and eases the expansion of the lungs.

At how many weeks of gestation can surfactant administration help preterm babies survive?

Babies as young as $23\text{ weeks}$ gestation (compared to a normal pregnancy of $40\text{ weeks}$) have a chance of survival with surfactant administration.

How many lobes do the right and left lungs have?

The right lung has $3$ lobes, and the left lung has $2$ lobes.

What is the mediastinum?

The cavity located between the lungs that contains the heart, esophagus, trachea, bronchi, thymus gland, and lymph nodes.

What is the difference between the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura?

The parietal pleura is the outer layer lining the thoracic cavity and upper side of the diaphragm, while the visceral pleura is the inner layer encasing and protecting the lungs.

How do the diaphragm and ribcage move during inhalation and exhalation?

During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, and the ribcage moves up and forward. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, and the ribcage moves down and inward.

How does cigarette smoke cause 'smoker's cough'?

Cigarette smoke destroys the cilia in the respiratory tract, preventing them from sweeping out debris and causing accumulated mucus and debris in the lungs.

What structure is the respiratory control center, and how does carbon dioxide level affect respiration?

The medulla oblongata is the control center. High levels of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream signal respirations to increase to eliminate the gas.

What are rales and rhonchi?

Rales are abnormal crackling sounds heard during inspiration, indicating fluid or mucus in the airway. Rhonchi are coarse rattling or high-pitched snoring sounds indicating narrowed air passages.

How are tachypnea and bradypnea defined in terms of breathing rate?

Tachypnea is fast breathing at more than $20\text{ breaths/min}$, while bradypnea is slow breathing at less than $10\text{ breaths/min}$.

What are the clinical definitions of dyspnea, orthopnea, and cyanosis?

Dyspnea is difficult or painful breathing; orthopnea is breathing that becomes easier when sitting up straight; cyanosis is a bluish tint to the skin caused by a lack of oxygen in tissue circulation.

What is Cheyne-Stokes respiration?

An unusual breathing pattern characterized by periods of apnea or hypopnea followed by hyperpnea.

What is emphysema, and how does it affect chest shape?

Emphysema is a progressive loss of lung function caused by a decrease in alveoli count and enlargement of remaining alveoli, causing the lungs to expand and the chest to become barrel-shaped.

What is epistaxis?

Bleeding from the nose, caused by injury, excessive use of blood thinners, or bleeding disorders.

What is pertussis, and who is most commonly affected?

Pertussis (whooping cough) is an airborne bacterial upper respiratory tract infection characterized by recurrent bouts of coughing, breathlessness, and noisy inspiration. It mostly affects children younger than $6\text{ years}$ old.

What is the difference between aphonia and dysphonia?

Aphonia is the loss of the ability of the larynx to produce normal speech sounds. Dysphonia is any change in vocal quality, including hoarseness, weakness, or cracking.

What is pneumothorax, and what causes it?

A collection of air or gas in the pleural space that causes a pressure imbalance, preventing the lung from fully expanding or causing it to collapse. It can be caused by a stab wound or internal rupture of the pleura.

What is thoracentesis?

A procedure involving the surgical puncture of the chest wall with a needle to aspirate fluid, blood, or air from the pleural cavity to help the lung re-expand.

How is Cystic Fibrosis (CF) diagnosed using a sweat test?

The sweat test measures the amount of chloride in sweat on the arm or leg; a high amount of chloride indicates a positive result for CF.

How much higher is the risk of lung cancer for smokers compared to non-smokers?

Smokers have a $10\times$ greater risk of suffering from lung cancer than non-smokers.

How long can anoxia last before irreversible brain damage occurs?

If anoxia lasts longer than $4\text{ to }6\text{ minutes}$, irreversible brain damage can occur.

What is endotracheal intubation?

The passage of a tube through the nose or mouth into the trachea to establish or maintain an open airway.

What is the difference between spirometry and oximetry?

Spirometry measures the air capacity of the lungs using a spirometer, whereas oximetry is a non-invasive measurement of blood oxygen levels using an oximeter placed on a finger or earlobe.

What is CPAP therapy, and what condition is it commonly used to treat?

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a machine that delivers mild air pressure to keep airways open. It is commonly used to treat sleep apnea.

How does a nebulizer administer medication?

It pumps air or oxygen through liquid medicine to convert it into a vapor, which is inhaled through a face mask or mouthpiece.

What is the role of a pulmonologist?

A medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders, diseases, and abnormalities of the respiratory system.