Anatomy 3rd Lecture: Respiratory System

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Questions and Answers

What is the main function of the pulmonary system?

To digest food

To remove waste products from the body

To regulate body temperature

To oxygenate the body through the process of respiration (correct)

At what level is the respiratory tract divided into two sections?

At the level of the cricoid cartilage

At the level of the nasal cavity

At the level of the diaphragm

At the level of the vocal cords (correct)

What is included in the upper respiratory tract?

Larynx below the vocal cords, trachea, bronchi

Esophagus, trachea, and lungs

Bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs and alveoli

Nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx and larynx above the vocal cords (correct)

What is the function of the upper respiratory tract?

Conduction, filtration, humidification and warming of inhaled air Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium lines most of the upper respiratory tract?

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Where does the nasal cavity open posteriorly?

Through the two choanae Signup and view all the answers

What forms the roof of the nasal cavity?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the lower part of the larynx known as?

The lower respiratory tract Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles in the nares and anterior portion of the nasal cavity?

To prevent larger harmful particles from passing into the nasal cavity Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the funnel-shaped muscular tube that contains three parts?

Pharynx Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the uvula and soft palate during swallowing?

To close off the nasopharynx and prevent food from entering the nasal cavity Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium lines the oropharynx?

Non-keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium Signup and view all the answers

What is the point at which the digestive and respiratory systems diverge?

Laryngopharynx Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium lines the larynx above the vocal cords?

Stratified squamous epithelium Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the structure that connects to the esophagus posteriorly?

Laryngopharynx Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium lines the larynx below the vocal cords?

Respiratory epithelium with goblet cells Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Respiratory System

The respiratory system, also known as the pulmonary system, consists of several organs that function together to oxygenate the body through the process of respiration (breathing).

Upper Respiratory Tract

The upper respiratory tract includes the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and the portion of the larynx above the vocal cords.
Functions of the upper respiratory tract: conduction, filtration, humidification, and warming of inhaled air.
The upper respiratory tract is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium (respiratory epithelium), except for some parts of the pharynx and larynx.
The upper respiratory tract begins with the nasal cavity, which opens anteriorly on the face through the two nares and posteriorly into the nasopharynx through the two choanae.

Nasal Cavity

The floor of the nasal cavity is formed by the hard palate, while the roof consists of the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone posteriorly and the frontal and nasal bones anteriorly.
The nares and anterior portion of the nasal cavity contain sebaceous glands and hair follicles that serve to prevent larger harmful particles from passing into the nasal cavity.

Pharynx

The pharynx is a funnel-shaped muscular tube that contains three parts: the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
The nasopharynx is the first and superior most part of the pharynx, found posterior to the nasal cavity, and serves only as an airway.
The oropharynx is found posterior to the oral cavity and communicates with it through the oropharyngeal isthmus.
The oropharynx is a pathway for both air and food.
The laryngopharynx (hypopharynx) is the most inferior part of the pharynx and is the point at which the digestive and respiratory systems diverge.

Larynx

The larynx is a complex hollow structure found anterior to the esophagus and is supported by a cartilaginous skeleton connected by membranes, ligaments, and associated muscles.
Above the vocal cords, the larynx is lined with stratified squamous epithelium, while below the vocal cords, it transitions into pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells (respiratory epithelium).