Respiratory System Flashcards

Flashcards about the respiratory system

Functions of the Respiratory System

Gas exchange (O2 & CO2), body fluid pH regulation, sense of smell and voice production, filter, warm, and moisten inspired air.

Upper respiratory tract

Nose, nasal cavity, pharynx

Lower respiratory tract

Larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs

Functions of internal nose structures

Warms, moistens & filters incoming air, olfactory stimuli, modifies speech vibrations

Pharynx

Passageway for air, food, and drink with a wall of skeletal muscle and mucous membrane

Larynx (voice box)

Connects the pharynx to the trachea and contains the vocal cords.

Epiglottis

Prevents food and drink from entering the larynx during swallowing.

Trachea (windpipe)

Connects the larynx to the bronchi

Secondary & Tertiary bronchi

Connect the primary bronchi to the bronchioles; cartilage is replaced by strips of cartilage.

Bronchioles

Connect the tertiary bronchi to the alveoli; cartilage is replaced by smooth muscle

Sites of gas exchange

Terminal bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, alveoli

Pleural membrane

Encloses and protects each lung

Alveoli

Very large surface area for gas exchange; surrounded by blood capillaries; alveolar macrophages remove particles; some cells secrete surfactant.

Lungs

Paired cone-shaped organs separated by the heart; right lung has three lobes, left lung has two lobes.