Respiratory System Study Guide
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- Respiratory System: The system responsible for gas exchange, allowing oxygen to enter the bloodstream and removing carbon dioxide. It includes airways, lungs, and respiratory muscles.
- Pulmonary Ventilation: The process of moving air into (inhalation) and out of (exhalation) the lungs. Commonly referred to as breathing.
- External Respiration: The exchange of gases between the air in the lungs (alveoli) and the blood. Oxygen enters the blood, and carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood into the alveoli.
- Internal Respiration: The exchange of gases between the blood and tissues throughout the body. Oxygen diffuses from the blood to the cells, and carbon dioxide moves from the cells into the blood.
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Below are the respiratory organs/structures you need to identify on models:
- External Nares: The nostrils, openings that allow air into the nasal cavity.
- Nasal Cavity: The large air-filled space above and behind the nose that filters, warms, and humidifies inhaled air.
- Superior, Middle, and Inferior Nasal Conchae: Bony ridges on the lateral walls of the nasal cavity that increase surface area to filter, warm, and moisten air.
- Hard Palate: The bony anterior portion of the roof of the mouth, separating the nasal and oral cavities.
- Soft Palate: The posterior muscular part of the roof of the mouth that elevates during swallowing to prevent food from entering the nasal cavity.
- Uvula: A small projection hanging from the back of the soft palate, important in speech and swallowing.
- Auditory Tube (Eustachian Tube): A canal connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx, helping to equalize pressure.
- Nasopharynx: The upper part of the pharynx behind the nasal cavity, involved in the passage of air from the nasal cavity.
- Oropharynx: The middle portion of the pharynx behind the oral cavity, a passage for both air and food.
- Laryngopharynx: The lower portion of the pharynx, where food and air are routed either toward the esophagus (for digestion) or the larynx (for respiration).
- Larynx: Also known as the voice box, it houses the vocal cords and is involved in breathing, producing sound, and protecting the trachea.
- Thyroid Cartilage: The largest cartilage of the larynx, also known as the Adam's apple, provides protection and support.
- Cricoid Cartilage: A ring-shaped structure below the thyroid cartilage, providing structural support to the larynx and maintaining airway patency.
- Arytenoid Cartilage: Paired cartilages located on the posterior side of the larynx that control vocal cord tension and position.
- Corniculate Cartilage: Small horn-shaped structures on top of the arytenoid cartilages, involved in sound production.
- Vocal Cords (True and False): The true vocal cords vibrate to produce sound, while the false vocal cords (vestibular folds) play no role in sound production but help close the larynx during swallowing.
- Hyoid Bone: A U-shaped bone located in the neck that supports the tongue and is involved in swallowing.
- Epiglottis: A leaf-shaped flap of cartilage that covers the glottis during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway.
- Glottis: The space between the vocal cords, allowing air to pass through for sound production.
- Trachea: A large membranous tube reinforced by rings of cartilage, extending from the larynx to the bronchial tubes, conveying air to and from the lungs.
- Primary Bronchi: The two main branches from the trachea that lead into each lung.
- Secondary Bronchi: Branches of the primary bronchi that lead to each lobe of the lungs.
- Tertiary Bronchi: Smaller branches of the secondary bronchi that supply air to segments within each lobe.
- Terminal Bronchiole: The final branch of the bronchioles that leads to the respiratory bronchioles.
- Respiratory Bronchiole: The bronchioles that lead into the alveolar ducts where gas exchange begins.
- Alveolar Duct: Small ducts that connect respiratory bronchioles to alveolar sacs.
- Alveolar Sac: A cluster of alveoli, the air-exchange chambers of the lungs.
- Alveolus: The tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs between the lungs and the blood.
- Superior, Middle, and Inferior Lobes of Right Lung: The right lung is divided into three lobes.
- Superior and Inferior Lobe of Left Lung: The left lung is divided into two lobes, with the cardiac notch providing space for the heart.
- Cardiac Notch: A concave space on the left lung where the heart sits.
- Diaphragm: The primary muscle of respiration, located at the base of the thoracic cavity. It contracts during inhalation to create negative pressure, drawing air into the lungs.
- Visceral and Parietal Pleura: The pleura are membranes covering the lungs and lining the chest cavity. The visceral pleura covers the lungs, while the parietal pleura lines the chest wall.
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- External Nares: Allows the entry of air into the nasal cavity.
- Nasal Cavity: Filters, warms, and moistens air before it enters the lungs.
- Nasal Conchae: Increase the surface area of the nasal cavity to enhance air filtration and humidification.
- Hard and Soft Palate: Separate the nasal and oral cavities; the soft palate prevents food from entering the nasal cavity during swallowing.
- Uvula: Works with the soft palate to prevent food from entering the nasal cavity during swallowing.
- Auditory Tube: Equalizes air pressure between the middle ear and nasopharynx.
- Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, Laryngopharynx: Conduct air from the nasal cavity to the larynx and trachea, and food from the oral cavity to the esophagus.
- Larynx: Produces sound, routes air into the trachea, and protects the airway during swallowing.
- Thyroid and Cricoid Cartilage: Provide structural support and protect the larynx.
- Arytenoid and Corniculate Cartilage: Involved in the movement and tension of the vocal cords.
- Vocal Cords: Vibrate to produce sound.
- Hyoid Bone: Supports the tongue and aids in speech and swallowing.
- Epiglottis: Prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing.
- Glottis: The opening that allows air to pass through the larynx.
- Trachea: Conducts air from the larynx to the bronchi.
- Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Bronchi: Conduct air into and through the lungs.
- Terminal and Respiratory Bronchioles: Lead to the sites of gas exchange.
- Alveolar Duct, Alveolar Sac, and Alveolus: Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli between air and blood.
- Lung Lobes: Each lobe is a section of the lung that functions independently.
- Cardiac Notch: Accommodates the heart on the left lung.
- Diaphragm: Contracts to allow inhalation and relaxes to allow exhalation.
- Visceral and Parietal Pleura: Lubricate the movement of the lungs during breathing.
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- Trachea – Epithelium and Cartilage: The trachea is lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and supported by hyaline cartilage rings that keep the airway open.
- Lung – Epithelium: The alveoli are lined by simple squamous epithelium, facilitating gas exchange across the alveolar walls.
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- Respiratory System: The system responsible for gas exchange, allowing oxygen to enter the bloodstream and removing carbon dioxide. It includes airways, lungs, and respiratory muscles.
- Pulmonary Ventilation: The process of moving air into (inhalation) and out of (exhalation) the lungs. Commonly referred to as breathing.
- External Respiration: The exchange of gases between the air in the lungs (alveoli) and the blood. Oxygen enters the blood, and carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood into the alveoli.
- Internal Respiration: The exchange of gases between the blood and tissues throughout the body. Oxygen diffuses from the blood to the cells, and carbon dioxide moves from the cells into the blood.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Below are the respiratory organs/structures you need to identify on models:
- External Nares: The nostrils, openings that allow air into the nasal cavity.
- Nasal Cavity: The large air-filled space above and behind the nose that filters, warms, and humidifies inhaled air.
- Superior, Middle, and Inferior Nasal Conchae: Bony ridges on the lateral walls of the nasal cavity that increase surface area to filter, warm, and moisten air.
- Hard Palate: The bony anterior portion of the roof of the mouth, separating the nasal and oral cavities.
- Soft Palate: The posterior muscular part of the roof of the mouth that elevates during swallowing to prevent food from entering the nasal cavity.
- Uvula: A small projection hanging from the back of the soft palate, important in speech and swallowing.
- Auditory Tube (Eustachian Tube): A canal connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx, helping to equalize pressure.
- Nasopharynx: The upper part of the pharynx behind the nasal cavity, involved in the passage of air from the nasal cavity.
- Oropharynx: The middle portion of the pharynx behind the oral cavity, a passage for both air and food.
- Laryngopharynx: The lower portion of the pharynx, where food and air are routed either toward the esophagus (for digestion) or the larynx (for respiration).
- Larynx: Also known as the voice box, it houses the vocal cords and is involved in breathing, producing sound, and protecting the trachea.
- Thyroid Cartilage: The largest cartilage of the larynx, also known as the Adam's apple, provides protection and support.
- Cricoid Cartilage: A ring-shaped structure below the thyroid cartilage, providing structural support to the larynx and maintaining airway patency.
- Arytenoid Cartilage: Paired cartilages located on the posterior side of the larynx that control vocal cord tension and position.
- Corniculate Cartilage: Small horn-shaped structures on top of the arytenoid cartilages, involved in sound production.
- Vocal Cords (True and False): The true vocal cords vibrate to produce sound, while the false vocal cords (vestibular folds) play no role in sound production but help close the larynx during swallowing.
- Hyoid Bone: A U-shaped bone located in the neck that supports the tongue and is involved in swallowing.
- Epiglottis: A leaf-shaped flap of cartilage that covers the glottis during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway.
- Glottis: The space between the vocal cords, allowing air to pass through for sound production.
- Trachea: A large membranous tube reinforced by rings of cartilage, extending from the larynx to the bronchial tubes, conveying air to and from the lungs.
- Primary Bronchi: The two main branches from the trachea that lead into each lung.
- Secondary Bronchi: Branches of the primary bronchi that lead to each lobe of the lungs.
- Tertiary Bronchi: Smaller branches of the secondary bronchi that supply air to segments within each lobe.
- Terminal Bronchiole: The final branch of the bronchioles that leads to the respiratory bronchioles.
- Respiratory Bronchiole: The bronchioles that lead into the alveolar ducts where gas exchange begins.
- Alveolar Duct: Small ducts that connect respiratory bronchioles to alveolar sacs.
- Alveolar Sac: A cluster of alveoli, the air-exchange chambers of the lungs.
- Alveolus: The tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs between the lungs and the blood.
- Superior, Middle, and Inferior Lobes of Right Lung: The right lung is divided into three lobes.
- Superior and Inferior Lobe of Left Lung: The left lung is divided into two lobes, with the cardiac notch providing space for the heart.
- Cardiac Notch: A concave space on the left lung where the heart sits.
- Diaphragm: The primary muscle of respiration, located at the base of the thoracic cavity. It contracts during inhalation to create negative pressure, drawing air into the lungs.
- Visceral and Parietal Pleura: The pleura are membranes covering the lungs and lining the chest cavity. The visceral pleura covers the lungs, while the parietal pleura lines the chest wall.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
- External Nares: Allows the entry of air into the nasal cavity.
- Nasal Cavity: Filters, warms, and moistens air before it enters the lungs.
- Nasal Conchae: Increase the surface area of the nasal cavity to enhance air filtration and humidification.
- Hard and Soft Palate: Separate the nasal and oral cavities; the soft palate prevents food from entering the nasal cavity during swallowing.
- Uvula: Works with the soft palate to prevent food from entering the nasal cavity during swallowing.
- Auditory Tube: Equalizes air pressure between the middle ear and nasopharynx.
- Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, Laryngopharynx: Conduct air from the nasal cavity to the larynx and trachea, and food from the oral cavity to the esophagus.
- Larynx: Produces sound, routes air into the trachea, and protects the airway during swallowing.
- Thyroid and Cricoid Cartilage: Provide structural support and protect the larynx.
- Arytenoid and Corniculate Cartilage: Involved in the movement and tension of the vocal cords.
- Vocal Cords: Vibrate to produce sound.
- Hyoid Bone: Supports the tongue and aids in speech and swallowing.
- Epiglottis: Prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing.
- Glottis: The opening that allows air to pass through the larynx.
- Trachea: Conducts air from the larynx to the bronchi.
- Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Bronchi: Conduct air into and through the lungs.
- Terminal and Respiratory Bronchioles: Lead to the sites of gas exchange.
- Alveolar Duct, Alveolar Sac, and Alveolus: Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli between air and blood.
- Lung Lobes: Each lobe is a section of the lung that functions independently.
- Cardiac Notch: Accommodates the heart on the left lung.
- Diaphragm: Contracts to allow inhalation and relaxes to allow exhalation.
- Visceral and Parietal Pleura: Lubricate the movement of the lungs during breathing.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Trachea – Epithelium and Cartilage: The trachea is lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and supported by hyaline cartilage rings that keep the airway open.
- Lung – Epithelium: The alveoli are lined by simple squamous epithelium, facilitating gas exchange across the alveolar walls.
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