16 Questions
What is the function of the coarse hair in the vestibule?
To trap foreign particles
What bones form the lateral and superior walls of the nasal cavity?
Maxillary, nasal, frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid bones
What is the function of the conchae in the nasal cavity?
To create turbulence that helps filter the air
What is the function of the nasal septum?
To divide the nasal cavity into right and left halves
What is the pharynx?
A common passageway that connects the nose, mouth, and throat
What is the nasopharynx?
The superior part of the pharynx
What is the function of the auditory tubes in the nasopharynx?
To equalize air pressure in the ear
What is the boundary between the nasopharynx and oropharynx?
The soft palate
What is the primary function of the respiratory system in terms of gas exchange?
To provide an extensive area for gas exchange between air and circulating blood
What is the role of the paranasal sinuses in the upper respiratory system?
To filter, warm, and humidify the air
What is the main function of the larynx in the lower respiratory system?
To produce sounds involved in speaking, singing or non-verbal communication
What is the respiratory tract composed of?
The conducting portion and the respiratory portion of the respiratory tract
What is the function of the goblet cells in the respiratory epithelium?
To produce a sticky mucus that traps pathogens and debris
What is the purpose of the cilia in the respiratory epithelium?
To sweep away debris and pathogens trapped in mucus
What is the primary function of the nose in the upper respiratory system?
To provide a primary passageway for air entering the respiratory system
What is the function of the respiratory epithelium in the respiratory tract?
To line the entire respiratory tract except for the finest conducting portions and alveoli
Study Notes
Functions of Respiratory System
- Provides an extensive area for gas exchange between air and circulating blood
- Moves air to and from the exchange surfaces of the lungs
- Protects respiratory surfaces from dehydration, temperature changes, and other environmental variations
- Defends respiratory system and other tissues from invasion by pathogenic microorganisms
- Produces sounds involved in speaking, singing, or non-verbal communication
- Assists in regulation of blood volume, blood pressure, and the control of body fluid pH
Organization of Respiratory System
- Upper respiratory system consists of nose, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and pharynx
- Filters, warms, and humidifies air
- Lower respiratory system consists of larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs
Respiratory Tract
- Consists of airways that carry air to and from exchange surfaces of lungs
- Conducting portion: extends from entrance to nasal cavity to smallest bronchioles of lungs
- Respiratory portion: includes respiratory bronchioles and air sacs (alveoli)
Respiratory Epithelium
- Consists of pseudostratified, ciliated, columnar epithelium with goblet cells
- Lines entire respiratory tract except for finest conducting portions and alveoli
- Goblet cells and mucus glands produce a sticky mucus that bathes exposed surfaces
- In nasal cavity, cilia sweep any debris trapped in mucus or microorganisms toward pharynx
Upper Respiratory System
- Nose is primary passageway for air entering respiratory system
- Air enters paired external nares that open into nasal cavity
- Vestibule contains coarse hair that traps foreign particles
- Nasal septum divides cavity into right and left halves
- Bony portion of nasal septum is formed by perpendicular plate of ethmoid and vomer
- Anterior portion of septum is formed by hyaline cartilage
Nasal Cavity
- Lateral wall: formed by maxillary, nasal, frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid bones
- Projecting from lateral wall are superior, middle, and inferior conchae
- Air flows between adjacent conchae through superior, middle, or inferior meatuses
- Incoming air bounces off conchal surfaces creating turbulence which causes small airborne particles to come into contact with mucus that lines cavity
- Turbulence allows extra time for humidifying and warming incoming air
Nasal Cavity Floor
- Formed by hard palate (maxillary and palatine bones)
- Soft palate extends posterior to hard palate marking boundary line between superior nasopharynx and rest of pharynx
- Nasal cavity opens into nasopharynx at internal nares
Pharynx
- Nose, mouth, and throat connect each other by a common passageway called pharynx
- Pharynx is shared by digestive and respiratory systems
- Extends between internal nares and entrance to larynx and oesophagus
- Has three regions: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx
Nasopharynx
- Superior part of pharynx
- Connected to posterior portion of nasal cavity via internal nares
- Separated from oral cavity by soft palate
- Lined by respiratory epithelium
- Pharyngeal (adenoid) tonsil is located on posterior wall
- Lateral walls contain openings of auditory tubes
Oropharynx
- Extends between soft palate and base of tongue at level of hyoid bone
- Posterior portion of oral cavity and posterior and inferior portions of nasopharynx communicate directly with oropharynx
- At boundary between naso and oropharynx, epithelium changes from respiratory epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium
Explore the essential functions of the respiratory system, including gas exchange, air movement, and protection from environmental variations and microorganisms.
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