Untitled Flashcards Set

Nose

• Nose is divided by the nasal septum into 2 nostrils 

• Mucosal linings: Warms air coming in and traps foreign objects

• Foreign objects disposal: Ciliated cells that propel debris towards the throat 

• Three ridges: Conchae= increase mucosal surface area and air turbulence to enter the nasal cavity instead of the lungs

• Nasal cavity ends with the uvula= prevents food from entering nasal cavity 

The nasal cavity is surrounded by parinasal sinuses

Functions of sinuses

1. lighten the skull 

2. Resonate speech 

3. Produce mucus

Pharynx= throat

• Lined with tonsils that trap and remove foreign pathogens

• Pharyngeal tonsil, 2 platine & lingual tonsils

1. Nasopharynx 

2. Oropharynx 

3. Larynphrax

Larynx: connects the pharynx to the trachea

Larynx functions

1. Provide an open airway: Hyaline cartilage prevents collapse

2. Divert air and food into the proper pathways: Epiglottis

3. Produce sound: Vocal cords

How vocal cords change

• Volume with variance

• Pitch: changing tension

• Articulation: using tongue + lips

Trachea= Windpipe

• Surrounded by horseshoe shaped cartilage 

• Rings open toward posterior to allow esophagus to move

Lower Respiratory

• Lungs are covered with thin membrane= pleura

• Pleural space: contains pleural fluid reducing fluid

• Smaller air sacs= alveoli 

• Alveolus is surrounded by capillaries 

Surfactant: Lipid mixture produced by alveoli to prevent collapsing

• Thin walled alveoli & surrounding capillaries make up the respiratory zone (site of gas exchange)

• A respiratory membrane is found between the capillary and each alveolus 

other cells: Alveolar macrophages= collecting bacteria

• External respiration: Pulmonary blood vessels to Alveoli

• Internal respiration: Blood to body tissues 

Muscles involved in breathing: Diaphragm + External intercostals

Muscle contraction: Increasing in volume and decrease in pressure= Inspiration

Muscle relaxation: Decrease in volume and Increase in pressure (expiration)

Structure of breathing

• Rate of respiration is controlled within the medulla and pons

Within medulla

• VKG= quiet regular breathing

• DRG= collects sensory information and passes info to VRG

Within pons

• Modifies timing + smooth control of breathing by communicating with VRG

Respiratory rate can change through: 

1. Physical factors

2. Conscious control (brainstem)

3. Emotional Factors

4. Chemical factors

Most important for breathing= amount of co2

•  Tidal volume: amount exchanged by the lungs at rest

• Inspiratory: The additional amount of air that can be inhaled

• Expiratory: The additional amount of air that can be exhaled 

• Residual: The amount of air remaining in the lungs after forced exhalation

• Vital capital: amount that  can be expired after a maximum inspiration