anatomy respiratory system

upper respiratory tract

includes larynx & above

-filters, humidifies, sound production (larynx), smell, and immune

lower respiratory tract

trachea & below

-air passage and gas exchange

conducting zone

travels from nose →terminal bronchioles

respiratory zone

respiratory bronchioles (ex. stem) and alveoli (ex. grapes of stem)

nasal cavity

space between nose

What helps filter and purify in the nasal cavity?

mucus membrane

cilia

aka nasal hairs meant to trap particles in nasal cavity

olfactory receptors

located high up in back of nasal cavity that detects smells

nasal conchae

3 pairs of bony projections which create turbulence, allowing more particles in nasal cavity to be trapped.

meatus

passage in nasal cavity created by conchae

nose

only external part of respiratory system. it’s bone forms it’s bridge, cartilage forms point.

what forms the nose’s nostrils?

dense irregular tissue

sinuses

air filled cavities which lightens skull, strengthens tone of voice, and warms & moistens air

pharynx

passage from nasal cavity to larynx which includes (from top → bottom) nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx

epiglottis

The epiglottis is a small flap of tissue at the base of the tongue that covers the windpipe (trachea) when you swallow, preventing food and drink from entering your lungs.

larynx

voice box, vocal folds vibrate. usually opens air passage for speech but closes during swallowing

trachea

windpipe which is apart of lower respiratory, connecting larynx to primary bronchi.

what are the trachea walls reinforced w/ ?

c-shaped hyaline cartilage rings

what is the trachea lined with to sweep foreign material up to be coughed out?

pseudo-stratified ciliated columnar epithelium

primary bronchi

(red) first bronchi entry. enters lungs at hilum, inhaled substances are more likely to get stuck in right bronchus.

What is the blue section called?

lobar (secondary) bronchi

Segmental (tertiary) bronchi

(orange) divided further into: terminal bronchioles → respiratory bronchioles

alveoli

(purple)air filled sacs for gas exchange, lined w/ simple squamous

where are lungs located

in thorax on either side of mediastinum

right lung

larger, wide, and has three lobes

left lung

smaller due to heart position, two lobes

viseral pleura

covers surface of lungs (interior)

parietal pleura

lines thoracic cavity wall (exterior)

pulmonary ventilation (breathing)

movement of gases between atmosphere and alveoli

• 2 phases: inspiration & expiration

quiet breathing

rhythmic breathing occurring at rest and requires the diaphragm and external intercostal

forced breathing

vigorous breathing; accompanies exercise and requires several additional muscles

alveolar gas exchange (external respiration)

exchange of gas between alveoli and blood

gas transport

transport of gases in the blood between lungs and systemic cells

systemic gas exchange (internal respiration)

exchange of gases between blood and systemic cells

boyle’s law

relationship of volume and pressure. at constant temperature, pressure (p) of a container decreases if a volume (v) of a container increases. air flows to follow a gradient high → low

inspiration

aka inhalation, external intercostal muscles contract, lifting ribs up and out while diaphragm contracts downward and flattens.

• ^ thoracic cavity volume

• lower pulmonary pressure

• air goes in lungs

expiration

aka exhalation, external intercostal muscles and diaphragm relax

• decreases lower thoracic cavity

• ^ intrapulmonary pressure

• air is forced out of lungs

what are some non-respiratory air maneuvers?

• coughs to clear dust or debris from lower respiratory tract

• sneeze to clear upper respiratory

• hiccup, an irritation of phrenic nerve that causes diaphragm to spasm

• yawn, theorized to happen by a need for increases oxygen

average adult respiratory rate

12-15 breaths per min

infants average respiratory rate

40 to 60 breaths per min

neural

rate and depth is controlled by breathing centers in brain

medulla oblongata

one of the breathing centers in brain, it sets normal breathing pace

pons

one of the breathing centers in brain, it fine tunes rate and depth and coordinates transition between expiration and inspiration

central chemoreceptors

chemical control of breathing, it constantly monitors changes in the pH (acidic or alkaline) of cerebrospinal fluid.

• decrease in pH indicates high amt. of carbon dioxide

peripheral chemoreceptor

a chemical control of breathing, it’s located in aorta and carotid arteries . they’re sensitive to changes in blood oxygen lvls

mechanoreceptor

a chemical control of breathing located in muscles and joints to detect muscle contraction and force generation during exercise. they’re responsible for quick increase in ventilation during exercise.

static

volume at fixed point in time

dynamic

volume over a specific period of time

tidal volume

static, which an amount of air inhaled during a normal breath

vital capacity

total amt of air that can be forcibly expired after a maximal inspiration

residual volume

vol of air that never leaves the lungs, allowing gas exchange to occur continuously

functional residual capacity

amt of air that remains in the lungs after a normal expiration

ERV+RV

inspiratory reserve volume

amt of air that can be inhaled immediately after a normal inspiration

expiratory reserve volume

amt of air that can be exhaled or forced from the lungs, immediately after a normal expiration

total lung capacity

combination of vital capacity plus the residual volume

VC+RV

• usually 6L of air

pulmonary function testing

a form of dynamic lung volume, it can be used to determine if whether a person has: asthma, obstructive lung disease, restrictive lung disease