Exercise 6: Respiratory System

Respiratory System

Responsible for breathing and gas exchange, allowing cellular respiration.

Breathing

The mechanical movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Oxygen

Gas exchanged in the lungs, transported by blood to tissues for respiration.

Carbon Dioxide

Waste product of respiration, transported back to the lungs for exhalation.

Anatomical Division

Structures found in the respiratory tracts.

Functional Division

Structures divided based on their function as passageways or for gas exchange.

Upper Respiratory Tract

Includes organs found in the head and neck like the nasal cavity and pharynx.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Includes organs of the thorax, namely trachea through the lungs.

URTI

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection; often viral infections of nasal cavity and pharynx.

Conducting Division

Passages that allow air to flow into and out from the alveoli.

Respiratory Division

Gas exchange surfaces at the level of the alveoli.

Nasal Cavity

Internal chamber of the nose, divided into right and left halves.

Nasal Conchae

Three folds of tissue that increase surface area and aid in warming and filtering air.

Olfactory Mucosa

Lines the roof of nasal cavity and helps dissolve odors.

Respiratory Mucosa

Lines the nasal cavity with ciliated epithelium and goblet cells.

Pharynx

Throat; has three areas: nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx.

Larynx

Voice box; contains vocal cords and regulates airflow to trachea.

Glottis

Opening between vocal cords in the larynx.

Trachea

Rigid tube extending to lungs, supported by C-shaped cartilaginous rings.

Bronchial Tree

Branching structure of airways from primary bronchi to bronchioles.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs; surrounded by capillaries.

Type I Alveolar Cells

Squamous cells that make up 95% of alveolar surface area for gas exchange.

Type II Alveolar Cells

Cuboidal cells that secrete pulmonary surfactant to prevent alveoli collapse.

Pleural Membranes

Two serous membranes (parietal and visceral) surrounding the lungs.

Diaphragm

Primary muscle involved in the mechanics of breathing, responsible for inhalation.

Inhalation

Process of drawing air into the lungs by increasing thoracic cavity volume.

Exhalation

Process of pushing air out of the lungs by decreasing thoracic cavity volume.

Oxygen Hemoglobin Dissociation Curve

Graph representing the relationship between partial pressure of oxygen and hemoglobin saturation.

Shift to the Left

Indicates increased hemoglobin affinity for oxygen, reducing oxygen delivery to tissues.

Shift to the Right

Indicates reduced hemoglobin affinity for oxygen, enhancing delivery to tissues.

Mucociliary Escalator

Mechanism that propels mucus and trapped particles upward to the pharynx.