Respiratory System Notes

What is the first step of the respiratory tract?

Nose (nares)

What is the function of the conchae in the nasal cavity?

Modifies, warms, and filters incoming air

What is the function of the mucociliary system in the respiratory tract?

Protects the respiratory tract from infections and debris

Where are the tonsils located in the respiratory system?

Around the transition between the nasal cavity and pharynx (throat)

What is the primary role of the tonsils in the immune system?

Help protect the body from foreign threats from both nasal and oral pathways

What can severe inflammation of the tonsils lead to?

Airway blockages

What is the role of the epiglottis in the larynx?

Closing the airway when swallowing to prevent aspiration

What does the term "Adam's Apple" refer to in the respiratory system?

Thyroid cartilage

What is the function of the vocal cords in the larynx?

Production of sound

What is the main function of the trachea in the respiratory system?

Connecting the larynx to the bronchi

What separates the left and right main bronchi?

Bifurcation of the trachea

What is the function of the main bronchi in the respiratory system?

Primary branches off the trachea that serve as a "highway" for air

What is the function of secondary and tertiary bronchi in the respiratory system?

They are "highway exits" branching off the main bronchi

What is the primary function of bronchioles in the respiratory system?

To serve as "individual streets" that feed into alveolar sacs

What is the function of alveoli in the respiratory system?

Responsible for gas exchange (respiration)

What is the purpose of alveolar mucous glands in the alveoli?

They secrete mucus to help lubricate the alveoli

What is the function of elastic fibers covering the alveolar sacs?

To promote smooth expansion and recoil during inspiration and expiration

What type of gas exchange occurs in the alveoli?

Oxygen diffuses from alveoli into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide diffuses from the bloodstream into alveoli.

What are the two layers of the pleura in the respiratory system?

Parietal pleura and visceral pleura

What is the purpose of the pleural space in the respiratory system?

It is a fluid-filled space that minimizes friction during lung expansion and contraction.

What is the main muscle responsible for respiration in the human body?

Diaphragm

What is the primary effect of the diaphragm's contraction on the lungs?

Expansion of the lungs, allowing air to enter.

What is the difference in the number of lobes between the right and left lungs?

The right lung has three lobes (upper, middle, lower), while the left lung has two lobes (upper, lower).

What is the purpose of the cardiac notch in the left lung?

It provides space for the heart (♥).

What is the significance of lung volumes and capacities in respiratory assessment?

They provide information about a person's lung function and capacity.

What does the term "Vital Capacity (VC)" represent in lung measurements?

The amount of air that can either be inhaled or exhaled.

What is the primary role of residual volume (RV) in the lungs?

Volume of air left inside the lungs during complete inhalation or exhalation.

What is the total lung capacity (TLC) in the respiratory system?

The volume of air that the lungs can hold, which is the sum of vital capacity and residual volume.

What is the normal range for tidal volume (TV) during regular breathing?

Roughly 500cc of air.

What is the term for normal depth and rate of breathing?

Eupnea

What condition is characterized by fast, shallow respirations?

Tachypnea

What respiratory pattern involves slow respirations?

Bradypnea

What is the term for regular, rapid, and deep respirations?

Kussmaul

What respiratory pattern is characterized by irregular, disorganized breaths with periods of apnea?

Biot's

What respiratory pattern consists of increasing depth followed by apnea?

Cheyne-Stokes

What condition leads to prolonged expirations in the respiratory system?

Obstructive

What type of breathing pattern occurs due to occasional reflex-driven gasps?

Agonal

What is the term for the absence of breathing?

Apnea

What are harsh, crackling lung sounds that indicate conditions like pleuritis, pneumonia, or pneumothorax?

Pleural friction rub

What type of lung sound is high-pitched, very loud, and continuous, indicating an upper airway obstruction?

Stridor

What lung sound is characterized by "whistling" and can be heard during both inspiration and expiration?

Wheezing

What type of lung sounds are high-pitched popping sounds, mostly heard during inspiration, and suggest fluid buildup in the lungs?

Crackles

What type of lung sounds are continuous, low-pitched sounds caused by constricted larger airways?

Rhonchi

What type of lung sounds are intermittent clicking and rattling sounds that occur due to alveoli "popping" open due to secretions?

Rales

What is the medical term for shortness of breath?

Dyspnea

What term describes difficulty breathing while lying flat?

Orthopnea

What is the medical term for a cough that produces mucus or phlegm?

Productive cough

What is a cough that does not produce mucus or phlegm known as?

Nonproductive cough

What is the medical term for coughing up blood?

Hemoptysis

What is the term for chest pain or discomfort often caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles?

Angina

What is a high heart rate known as?

Tachycardia

What does it indicate if capillary refill takes longer than 3 seconds?

Possible circulatory issues or poor perfusion

What is the bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to poor oxygenation known as?

Cyanosis

What is the term for the abnormal swelling of the tips of the fingers, often associated with lung or heart disease?

Clubbing of fingers

What is an abnormal elevation of body temperature known as?

Fever

What is a state of extreme tiredness or lack of energy?

Fatigue

What term describes abnormal lung sounds heard during auscultation, such as crackles or wheezing?

Adventitious lung sounds

What is the medical term for a barrel-shaped chest, often seen in patients with COPD?

Barrel chest

What is the term for a chest deformity in which the chest wall sinks in, also known as "pectus excavatum"?

Funnel chest

What is the common abbreviation for Pulmonary Function Testing?

PFTs

What does spirometry measurein lung function testing?

Forced vital capacity, which is the greatest total amount of air that can be forcefully breathed out after inhaling deeply.

What does FEV1 stand for, and what does it measure in lung function?

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second; it measures the amount of air that can be forced out of the lungs in 1 second.

What does the FEV1/FVC ratio represent in pulmonary function testing?

It indicates whether the respiratory condition is obstructive or restrictive.

What type of lung function testing confirms restrictive lung diseases and may require the patient to sit in an airtight chamber?

Plethysmography

What is the purpose of a sputum culture?

Causative bacteria or fungi, including tuberculosis and pneumonia.

What is the purpose of ventilation in the respiratory system?

The flow of air into and out of the lungs.

What is perfusion in the respiratory system?

The flow of blood to the alveoli.

What does the ventilation/perfusion ratio (VQ ratio) represent in the respiratory system?

It's the ratio of air flowing into the lungs compared to the blood flow to the alveoli.

What does a VQ scan measure in the respiratory system?

It measures ventilation and perfusion, providing important diagnostic data.

What does it mean when there is a "shunt" in the VQ ratio?

Reduced ventilation to a lung unit, leading to a V/Q mismatch and decreased air flow.

What is "dead space" in the context of the VQ ratio?

Reduced blood flow from blockages, which results in wasted ventilation.

What is a "silent unit" in the VQ ratio?

It refers to a reduction in both blood flow and ventilation, potentially due to conditions like pneumothorax or ARDS.

What imaging technique is commonly used to diagnose conditions like pneumonia, lung cancer, and pulmonary emboli?

Chest x-ray

Which imaging technique provides more detailed information than a chest x-ray, making it useful for diagnosing conditions like pulmonary nodules and pleural effusion?

CT scan (Computed Tomography)

What medical procedure allows for the visualization of the upper and lower airways, removal of blockages, and sample collection for lab analysis?

Bronchoscopy

What device is used to promote lung hygiene and prevent atelectasis by encouraging deep breathing?

Incentive spirometer

What method of oxygen delivery involves tubing with a maximum flow rate of 4-6 L/min and delivers an FiO2 of 25-40%?

Nasal cannula

What type of mask is designed for higher oxygen flow (5-10 L/min) and offers an FiO2 of around 40-60%?

Simple face mask

What oxygen delivery method provides the highest concentration of oxygen (around 80-85%) and uses a white to clear reservoir bag?

Non-rebreather mask

What oxygen delivery method is known for precise control over FiO2 and is helpful for patients who require accurate oxygen delivery, such as those with COPD?

Venturi mask

What oxygen delivery method delivers high rates of O2 through a nasal cannula (up to 40 L/min) and humidifies the oxygen to prevent irritation?

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC)

What non-invasive ventilation method pushes air into the lungs during inspiration and removes it during expiration?

Bi-pap (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure)

What medical device is similar to bi-pap but may require intubation and provides complete support in most cases?

Ventilator

What is the process of introducing an endotracheal (ET) tube into the trachea to establish an airway?

Intubation

What is a common method for removing pleural fluid to help patients with pleural effusions?

Thoracentesis

What type of dressing is used to prevent air entry during inspiration and allows trapped air to escape during expiration?

Occlusive dressing

What type of therapy involves physical vibrations to break up mucus in the lungs, useful in conditions like cystic fibrosis and COPD?

Chest physiotherapy (CPT)

What is rhinitis?

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa

What are the manifestations of rhinitis?

Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itching

What are the possible causes of rhinitis?

It can be acute or chronic, caused by allergies or infections.

What is acute viral rhinitis (AVR)?

The most common type, often a self-limiting viral infection.

How long does acute viral rhinitis typically last?

More than 7-10 days.

What are the treatment options for acute viral rhinitis (AVR)?

Symptomatic management, which may include steroids, decongestants, saline nose sprays, and antihistamines.

What are the manifestations of sinusitis?

Bad breath, loss of smell, cough, fatigue, fever, headache, pressure-like pain behind eyes, sore throat, and congestion.

What are the possible interventions for sinusitis?

Medication administration, including antibiotics for bacterial cases, encouraging fluids, warm compresses over sinuses, promoting good oral hygiene, trigger avoidance, saline flushes, and moisturized air.

What is epistaxis?

Nose bleeds, often caused by irritation to vessels inside the nasal cavity.

What are some risk factors for epistaxis?

Old age, pregnancy, medications, clotting disorders, dry air, and allergies.

What is the recommended treatment for epistaxis?

Sitting up and leaning forward, holding pressure by pinching the midline of the septum for at least 10 minutes. In some cases, it may require packing the nose with packing or using Rhino Rocket. Topical silver nitrate (cauterizing agent) can also be administered.

What is pharyngitis?

Inflammation of the throat mucous membranes.

What can cause pharyngitis?

It can be caused by either viruses or bacteria.