The Respiratory System (slides)

These flashcards cover key concepts and details related to the structure and function of the respiratory system, focusing on anatomy, the processes of respiration, and the various organs involved.

What are the basic functions of the respiratory system?

Supplies the body with oxygen and disposes of carbon dioxide.

List the four processes involved in respiration.

Pulmonary ventilation, external respiration, transport of respiratory gases, internal respiration.

What is the conducting zone?

Respiratory passageways that convey air, filter, humidify, and warm incoming air.

Name the organs in the conducting zone.

Nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles.

What is the respiratory zone?

The site of gas exchange in the lungs.

List the organs in the respiratory zone.

Alveoli and respiratory bronchioles.

What are the functional roles of the nose?

Provides an airway for respiration, moistens and warms air, filters inhaled air, acts as a resonating chamber for speech, houses olfactory receptors.

What divides the nasal cavity?

Nasal septum.

What are the two types of mucous membranes in the nasal cavity?

Olfactory mucosa and respiratory mucosa.

Where is the olfactory mucosa located?

Near the roof of the nasal cavity.

What does the respiratory mucosa line?

The remainder of the nasal cavity and much of the conducting zone.

What are nasal conchae?

Superior, middle, and inferior conchae that project medially from the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.

What is the function of nasal conchae?

Deflect and slow inspired air, increasing contact with respiratory mucosa to conserve moisture and heat.

What is the pharynx also known as?

The throat.

Into what sections is the pharynx divided?

Nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx.

What is the function of the nasopharynx?

Only an air passageway.

What tonsils are found in the lateral wall of the oropharynx?

Palatine tonsils.

What type of epithelium is found in the oropharynx?

Stratified squamous epithelium, non-keratinized.

What are the three functions of the larynx?

Voice production, provides an open airway, routes air and food into the proper channels.

What is the laryngeal prominence?

The Adam's apple, formed by the thyroid cartilage.

What is the function of vocal cords?

Vibrate to produce sound.

What are the vestibular folds?

False vocal cords with no role in sound production.

What is the glottis?

The space between the vocal folds and the vocal folds together.

What type of cartilage maintains the structure of the trachea?

C-shaped cartilage rings.

What muscle is located posteriorly between the C-shaped cartilage rings of the trachea?

Trachealis muscle.

What is the carina?

Cartilage where the trachea divides into two primary bronchi.

What type of epithelium is found in the trachea?

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium.

What are the primary bronchi characteristics?

The right primary bronchus is wider and shorter than the left.

What are terminal bronchioles?

Bronchioles that are less than 0.5 mm in diameter.

How do bronchi change from trachea to alveoli?

C-shaped rings replaced by cartilage plates, cartilage plates replaced by smooth muscle, changes in epithelium.

What structures make up the respiratory zone?

Respiratory bronchioles and alveoli.

How many alveoli are there in the lungs?

Approximately 400 million.

What type of cells are Type I alveolar cells?

Simple squamous epithelial cells.

What is the function of Type II alveolar cells?

Secrete surfactant which reduces surface tension in alveoli.

What is the pleurae?

Double-layered sac surrounding each lung.

What are the parts of the pleurae?

Parietal pleura and visceral pleura.

What is the pleural cavity?

The potential space between the visceral and parietal pleurae.

What major arteries supply the lungs?

Pulmonary trunk and pulmonary arteries.

What structure connects the diaphragm to the thoracic wall?

Pleural membranes.

What happens to the diaphragm during inhalation?

It moves inferiorly.

Describe the sequence of events during expiration.

The diaphragm relaxes, thoracic cavity volume decreases, air pressure in lungs rises, and air flows out.

What role do alveolar macrophages play?

They move freely along internal surfaces to destroy pathogens.

What is the role of the respiratory membrane?

Facilitates gas exchange.