Respiratory Anatomy and Functions

Pulmonary ventilation

movement of air into and out of the lungs

Another name for pulmonary ventilation

ventilation, or breathing

External respiration

gas exchanges to and from the pulmonary circuit blood that occur in the lungs

Transport of respiratory gases

transport of respiratory gases between the lungs and tissue cells of the body using blood as the transport vehicle

Internal respiration

exchange of gases to and from the blood capillaries of the systemic circulation

Three parts of the pharynx

- nasopharynx

- oropharynx

- laryngopharynx erythema

Common name for pharynx

throat

Nasopharynx location

lies posterior to the nasal cavity and is continuous with it

Oropharynx location

lies posterior to the oral cavity, extends from the soft palate to the epiglottis of the larynx inferiorly

Nasopharynx function

air passage

Oropharynx function

common conduit for food and air

Laryngopharynx function

Serves as a common passageway for food and air

Epiglottis

a flaplike elastic cartilage superior to the opening of the larynx, forming a lid over the larynx when we swallow

Trachae length

to the fifth thoracic vertebrae

Trachea divides into ____

right and left main or primary bronchi

Trachea lining

ciliated mucus-secreting epithelium

Respiratory membrane

alveolar and capillary walls and their fused basement membrane

Respiratory zone structures

simple diffusion across the respiratory membrane, the alveolar sacs, alveolar ducts, and respiraotry bronchioles

Conducting zone structures

respiratory passageways that serve as access or exit routs to and from the gas exchange chambers

Pleural

double-layered serous membrane

Parietal pleura

outer layer of pleura attached to the thoracic walls and the diaphragm

Visceral pleura

inner layer of pleura covering the lung tissue

Tidal volume

volume of air inhaled and exhaled with each normal respiration, approximately 500 ml

Vital capacity

total exchangeable air of the lungs

Vital capacity equation

TV (tidal volume) + IRV (inspiratory reserve volume) + ERV (expiratory reverse volume)

Residual volume

the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a maximal expiratory effort