respiratory

What are the 5 primary functions of the respiratory system?

1. Provides extensive gas exchange surface area between air and blood; 2. Moves air to and from exchange surfaces; 3. Protects respiratory surfaces; 4. Produces sounds; 5. Participates in olfactory sense.

What structures are included in the upper respiratory system?

Nose, nasal cavity, pharynx.

What structures are included in the lower respiratory system?

Larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.

What are the lobes of the right lung?

3 lobes: superior, middle, inferior.

What are the lobes of the left lung?

2 lobes: superior, inferior.

What anatomical feature distinguishes the left lung?

Longer and displaced leftward by the heart, forming the cardiac notch.

What are alveoli?

Air-filled sacs within the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

How much greater is the surface area provided by alveoli compared to the body surface?

35 times greater.

What are the conducting and respiratory portions of the respiratory tract?

Conducting Portion: Nasal cavity to terminal bronchioles; Respiratory Portion: Respiratory bronchioles and alveoli.

What are the main functions of the nose?

1. Traps large particles; 2. Serves as an airway; 3. Moistens and warms air; 4. Keeps surfaces moist and clean; 5. Resonating chamber for voice; 6. Houses olfactory receptors.

What is the pharynx?

Common passageway for food and air.

What are the subdivisions of the pharynx?

Nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx.

What structures protect respiratory surfaces?

Cilia, goblet cells, mucous glands, tears, lamina propria.

What do alveolar macrophages do?

Engulf small particles that reach the alveoli for immune protection.

What are the main cartilages of the larynx?

Thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, epiglottis.

What is the function of the epiglottis?

Prevents entry of food into the respiratory tract during swallowing.

How is sound produced in the larynx?

Phonation produces sound; articulation modifies sound.

What are the components of the trachea?

Mucosa, submucosa, hyaline cartilage, adventitia.

What is the bronchial tree?

Structure including primary, secondary, and tertiary bronchi with decreasing cartilage and increasing smooth muscle.

What is surfactant?

An oily secretion by type II pneumocytes that reduces surface tension in alveoli.

What is external respiration?

Gas exchange between lungs and blood.

What is internal respiration?

Gas exchange between blood and tissues.

What is cellular respiration?

ATP production using oxygen.

What is Boyle’s Law?

Pressure and volume are inversely related.

What are the primary respiratory muscles?

Diaphragm and external intercostals.

What factors affect lung compliance?

Connective tissue structure, surfactant levels, thoracic cage mobility.

How is ventilation measured?

Respiratory Minute Volume = Respiratory Rate x Tidal Volume.

What is Dalton’s Law?

Total pressure of a gas mixture is the sum of individual partial pressures.

What is Henry’s Law?

Gas dissolves in liquid proportionally to its partial pressure.

How is oxygen transported in the blood?

98.5% bound to hemoglobin; 1.5% dissolved in plasma.

How is CO2 transported in the blood?

7% dissolved in plasma, 70% converted to bicarbonate, 23% bound to hemoglobin.

What factors affect O2-Hb saturation?

pH, temperature, 2,3-BPG.

How does fetal hemoglobin differ from adult hemoglobin?

Fetal Hb has a higher affinity for O2.

What are the brain’s respiratory control centers?

Medulla oblongata (DRG and VRG) and pons.

What sensory inputs affect respiration?

Chemoreceptors, baroreceptors, stretch receptors, irritants, emotions, pain, temperature.

What are the effects of aging on the respiratory system?

Decreased compliance, vital capacity, and increased emphysema risk due to elastic tissue deterioration.