DHO 7.10 and MT 7 - Respiratory System

Functions of the Respiratory System

* Bring oxygen-rich air into the body for delivery to the blood cells
* Expel waste products (carbon dioxide and water) that have been returned to the lungs by the blood
* Produce the air flow through the larynx that makes speech possible

List the parts of the Respiratory System

* Nose
* Pharynx
* Larynx
* Trachea
* Bronchi
* Alveoli
* Lungs

What Happens When Air Enters the Nasal Cavity?

* Warmed - mucus from mucus membranes warms
* Filtered - tiny, hairlike structures, called cilia, filter inhaled air to trap dust & other particles, the cilia help move the mucous layer in airways towards the esophagus to be swallowed
* Moistened - mucus from mucus membranes moisten the air

What Are Cilia and What Do They Do?

Cilia are tiny, hairlike structures/projections that filter inhaled air to trap dust & other particles. They help move the mucous layer that lines the airways to push trapped particles toward the esophagus, where they can be swallowed.

Name the 3 Structures of the Pharynx (Throat)

* Nasopharynx
* Oropharynx
* Laryngopharynx

Nasopharynx: Location and Structures and/or Purpose

* Location - upper portion of the pharynx, located behind the nasal cavities
* The pharyngeal tonsils, or adenoids (lymphatic tissue), & the eustachian tube (tube to middle ear) opening are located in this section

Oropharynx: Location and Structures and/or Purpose

* Location - middle section of the pharynx, located behind the oral cavity (mouth)
* Receives both air from the nasopharynx & food and air from the mouth

Laryngopharynx: Location and Structures and/or Purpose

* Location - the bottom section of the pharynx
* The esophagus, which carries food to the stomach, and the trachea, which carries air to and from the lungs, branch off this

How is Speech Produced?

Within the larynx (voice box), as air leaves the lungs, the vocal cords vibrate and produce sound. The tongue and lips act on the sound to produce this

What Structure Prevents Food and Liquids From Entering the Respiratory Tract?

The epiglottis, a special leaflike piece of cartilage, closes the opening into the larynx during swallowing

Trachea: Location and Structures and/or Purpose

* Location - Tube extending from the larynx to the center of the chest
* Carries air between the pharynx and the bronchi. A series of c-shaped cartilages (which are open on the dorsal, or back, surfaces) help keep it open. Divides into two bronchi.

Right and Left Bronchus/Bronchi and Bronchioles: Location and Structures and/or Purpose

* Location - Near the center of the chest. The right bronchus is shorter, wider, and extends more vertically than the left bronchus.
* Each bronchus enters a lung and carries air from the trachea to the lung. In the lungs, the bronchi continue to divide into smaller & smaller bronchi, until, finally, they divide into the smallest branches, called bronchioles. The smallest bronchioles, called terminal bronchioles, end in air sacs, called alveoli.

Explain the Function of the Alveolus/Alveoli

The capillaries of the alveoli allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to be exchanged between the blood and the lungs. The inner surfaces of the alveoli are covered with a lipid (fatty) substance, called surfactant, to help prevent them from collapsing.

Why is the Left Lung Smaller Than the Right Lung?

The left lung is smaller than the right lung because the heart is located toward the left side of the chest.

Pleura: Location and Structures and/or Purpose

* Location - encloses each lung, chest
* A pleural space, located between the pleura’s two layers is filled with a thin layer of pleural fluid that lubricates the membranes and prevents friction as the lungs expand during breathing.

Definitions - Alveoli

Air sacs that exchange gas

Definitions - Bronchi

Carries air from the trachea to the lungs

Definitions - Bronchiole(s)

Smallest air tubes in the lungs

Definitions - Cilia

Tiny hairlike structures in the nose

Definitions - Epiglottis

Leaflike structure that closes the larynx during swallowing

Definitions - Larynx

The voice box

Definitions - Lung(s)

Organ of respiration

Definitions - Nasal Cavity

Two hollow spaces in the nose

Definitions - Inspiration

Process of breathing in air

Definitions - Nasal Septum

Partition dividing the nose

Definitions - Pharynx

Correct name for the throat

Definitions - Ventilation

Process of breathing, involves two processes

Definitions - Trachea

Tube from the larynx to the center of the chest

True or False - Oxygen is a Gas that is a Waste Product Produced by Cells

False - carbon dioxide is a metabolic waste product

True or False - The Body Has a 6 - 10 Minute Supply of Oxygen

False - the body has a 4 - 6 minute oxygen supply

True or False - Mucus and Cilia Trap Dirt and Pathogens as They Enter the Nose

True

True or False - The Lacrimal Ducts For the Sense of Smell Are in the Nose

False - The lacrimal ducts are the tear ducts in the eyes. Olfactory receptors contribute to the sense of smell

True or False - Vocal Cords Vibrate and Produce Speech as Air Enters the Lungs

False - Vocal cords vibrate and produce speech as air leaves the lungs and the tongue and lips act of sound to produce speech

True or False - The Trachea is a Series of C-Shaped Cartilages Open on the Dorsal or Back Surface

True

True or False - The Capillaries of the Alveoli Allow Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide to Be Exchanged Between the Blood and the Lungs

True

True or False - The Trachea Has Two Folds Called Vocal Cords

False - the larynx contains two folds called vocal cords

True or False - The Left Lung Has Three Sections or Lobes

False - the right lung has 3, the superior, middle, and the inferior. the left lung has 2, the superior and inferior.

True or False - When the Diaphragm and Intercostal Muscles Contract, the Air Rushes Into the Lungs

True

True or False - The Process of Respiration is Usually Involuntary

True

True or False - An Increased Amount of Carbon Dioxide in the Blood Causes A Decrease in the Rate of Respiration

False - An increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood causes an increase in the rate of respiration

True or False - Lung Cancer Is the Leading Cause of Cancer Death in Both Men and Women

True

True or False - Antibiotics Are the Main Treatment for Influenza

False - Antiviral medications are the main treatment for influenza

True or False - The Elderly, Individuals With Chronic Disorders and Health Care Workers Should Be Immunized With An Influenza Vaccine Every Five Years

False - Everyone 6 months and older should recieve an annual flu vaccine

Abbreviations - ABG

arterial blood gas(es)

Abbreviations - CO2

carbon dioxide

Abbreviations - COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abbreviations - CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Abbreviations - CXR

chest x-ray film, chest x-ray or radiograph

Abbreviations - O2

oxygen

Abbreviations - RRT

registered respiratory therapist, registered radiologic technologist

Abbreviations - SIDS

sudden infant death syndrome

Abbreviations - SOB

short/shortness of breath

Root Words - pneum/o or pneumon/o

lung, air

Med Terms - Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen

Med Terms - Bradypnea

Abnormally slow rate of respiration, usually less than 10 rpm

Med Terms - Thyroid Cartilage

Prominent structure that protects the larynx; Adam’s apple

Med Terms - Hemoptysis

Spitting of blood or blood tinged sputum

Med Terms - Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing, shortness of breath

Med Terms - Hemothorax

Accumulation of blood in the pleural space

Med Terms - Phrenic Nerve

Stimulates the diaphragm and causes it to contract

Med Terms - Apnea

Absence of spotaneous respirations

Med Terms - Pneumothorax

Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space causing the lung to collapse

Med Terms - Cheyne-Stokes

A pattern of alternating periods of rapid breathing, slow breathing and no breathing

Med Terms - Tachypnea

Abnormally rapid rate of respiration, usually more than 20 rpm

Diseases - Bronchitis

Inflammation of bronchi and bronchial tubes

Diseases - Influenza

Highly contagious viral infection

Diseases - Sinusitis

Inflammation of mucus membrane lining sinuses

Diseases - Emphysema

Walls of alveoli deteriorate and lose their elasticity

Diseases - Epistaxis

A nosebleed

Diseases - Tuberculosis

Infectious lung disease caused by bacteria

Diseases - Asthma

Bronchospasms narrow the openings of the bronchioles

Diseases - Rhinitis

Inflammation of nasal mucus membranes

Diseases - COPD

Any chronic lung disease that results in obstruction of airways

Diseases - Pleurisy

Inflammation of membranes of the lungs

Disease - Laryngitis

Inflammation of the voice box and vocal cords

What is the Normal Range of Respirations in Adults?

12 rpm to 20 rpm

Diseases - Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

inflammation of the mucus membranes of the nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and/or trachea; a common cold, caused by a virus, signs include fever, runny nose, sort throat, congestion and hacking cough

Diseases - Sleep Apnea

Condition in which a person stops breathing while asleep, causing a decrease in blood oxygen levels; may lead to excessive tiredness and drowsiness in the day, in severe cases a CPAP may be used

Diseases - Pneumonia

inflammation or infection of the lungs caused by a buildup of fluid in the alveoli, usually caused by bacteria, virus or chemicals, symptoms mimic the flu, treatment includes oxygen, bed rest, fluids, medicinies, a vaccine can be helpful

Diseases - Croup

Acute respiratory syndrome in children and infants characterized by obstruction of the larynx, hoarseness and a barking cough

Diseases - Pertussis

Contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract, characterized by a paroxysmal cough, also called whooping cough, prevented with immunization/vaccine