Respiratory System Flashcards

Flashcards about the human respiratory system

What are the three main types of circulation in the human body?

Pulmonary, Coronary, and Systemic

What is the primary function of pulmonary circulation?

To take blood from the heart to the lungs before delivering it back to the heart

What makes coronary circulation unique?

It also provides drainage from the tissues of the heart

Compare the pathways of pulmonary and systemic circulation.

Systemic circulation passes through the left atrium when oxygen-rich blood arrives from the lungs, while pulmonary circulation involves taking blood from the heart to the lungs and back.

Why is efficient circulation critical for overall human health?

It supplies our body with nutrient-filled blood, which is critical for overall human health.

How many lobes does the right lung have?

3

How many lobes does the left lung have?

2

What is a lung fissure?

A protective flap that separates the lobes of the lungs

Explain why the right lung is larger than the left lung.

The heart is where the middle lobe of the left lung would otherwise be located.

How do lung fissures contribute to respiratory function?

They allow the lungs to expand and contract, facilitating air consumption and preventing infection.

List the components of the upper respiratory tract.

Nostrils, Nasal Cavity, Pharynx, Larynx

Describe the primary function of the nostrils.

Warming and filtering air, and providing a sense of smell

What role does the pharynx play in breathing?

It serves as a pathway between the lungs and the nasal and oral cavities.

Define the function of the trachea.

Connects the larynx to the lungs.

Explain how bronchioles differ from bronchi.

Bronchioles are small passages with smooth muscle that lack cartilage, while bronchi have cartilage supports.

What makes alveoli crucial for gas exchange?

They expand during inhalation to take in oxygen and shrink during exhalation to expel carbon dioxide.

Trace the path of air from the nostrils to the alveoli.

Air enters the nose/mouth before moving through the nasal cavity, the larynx, and the pharynx, then enters the trachea, moves through the bronchi and bronchioles before reaching the alveoli.

How do the different components of the respiratory system work together?

When the diaphragm contracts, air is pulled through the nose or mouth and into the airway (trachea) before dividing into the left or right lung via the bronchi, then separating into smaller tubes called bronchioles.

Define inhalation and exhalation.

Inhalation involves active contraction of muscles (including the diaphragm), while exhalation involves the diaphragm relaxing as it moves up into the chest cavity.

What is the primary role of the diaphragm in breathing?

Expanding and decreasing the chest cavity size to make way for the lungs.

How do intercostal muscles contribute to breathing?

They connect each rib to one another and flex around each breath to allow flexibility for the lungs.

Describe the muscular and physiological changes during deep breathing.

When breathing in, the chest expands, and the diaphragm contracts; when breathing out, the chest contracts, and the diaphragm releases.

How might breathing mechanics change during exercise?

Breathing may become less automatic if a person focuses on it due to the fact that it won’t be automatic.

Define Tidal Volume (TV) and explain its significance in normal breathing.

The amount of air that can be inhaled or exhaled during one respiratory cycle.

What does Vital Capacity (VC) represent in respiratory function?

The total volume of air that can be exhaled after maximum inhalation.

Describe the difference between Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) and Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV).

IRV is the amount that can be inhaled with maximum effort, while the ERV is the volume that can be exhaled after normal TV.

Why is Residual Volume (RV) important in lung mechanics?

It’s the storage of emergency air.

What defines an unobstructed airway?

A path that is clear with no bacteria or mucus.

List three specific diseases that can cause airway obstruction.

Asthma, inflammation, and benign airway tumors/masses.

List and describe three specific diseases that can cause airway obstruction.

Airway stenosis, narrowed airways

How does an obstructed airway impact normal breathing patterns?

The person affected may not be able to inhale and exhale to their full capacity.

How do you calculate Minute Volume at rest?

Count how many times you breathed in one minute.

If a patient has reduced Tidal Volume due to injury, how might they maintain adequate respiratory function?

Increase the pressure

In emphysema, how are Total Lung Capacity and Vital Capacity typically affected?

Air sacs form in the lungs that prevent maximum inhalation, causing shortness of breath, which leaves less air to be exhaled.

Describe how intense physical activity changes Expiratory Reserve Volume.

Physical activity causes shortness of breath, which leaves less to be fully exhaled.

How might a foreign object in the bronchus alter normal respiratory mechanics?

It results in a blockage of the airway, causing it to be more difficult to inhale and exhale.

Explain the potential respiratory challenges for someone with severely reduced lung elasticity.

The lungs would not be able to expand to their full amount, stunting the respiratory cycle.

What is asthma?

Inflammatory airways causing restricted breathing

What is Lung Cancer?

Tumors grow and block airways to cause restricted breathing

What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Lung tissue becomes scarred and therefore cannot stretch, so less air is taken in

What is the Common Cold?

An overproduction of mucus and bacteria in the lungs clogs the airways

How does smoking impact lung tissue and overall respiratory function?

Smoking damages lung tissue, resulting in shallow breaths.

Explain the importance of gas exchange at the alveolar level.

Gas exchange involves the alveoli sharing a membrane with the capillaries, allowing oxygen and carbon dioxide to move freely between the bloodstream and the respiratory system.

Why are alveolar walls only one cell thick?

Being thin allows for rapid gas exchange