Human Respiratory System: Trachea Structure

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the cilia in the trachea?

To propel mucus and debris away from the lungs (correct)

To support the walls of the trachea

To move air in and out of the lungs

To aid in the digestion of food

What is the purpose of the C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage in the trachea?

To filter the air we breathe

To support the walls of the trachea and keep it open (correct)

To allow for the expansion of the esophagus

To provide flexibility to the trachea

Where do the main bronchi plunge into the lung?

Into the medial depression of the lung (correct)

Into the thoracic cavity

Into the base of the lung

Into the apex of the lung

What is the term for the open, superior portion of the lung?

Apex Signup and view all the answers

What is the area in the thoracic cavity that houses the heart and other organs?

Mediastinum Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of propelling mucus and debris away from the lungs?

Cilia movement Signup and view all the answers

What is the amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a tidal expiration?

1200 ml Signup and view all the answers

What is the total amount of exchangeable air in healthy young men?

4800 ml Signup and view all the answers

What is the amount of air that remains in the lungs after the most strenuous expiration?

1200 ml Signup and view all the answers

What is the volume of air that enters the respiratory tract but does not reach the alveoli?

150 ml Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the oxygen supply in the blood is getting low or blood pH is falling?

The respiratory centers ignore messages from the cortex Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that modifies respiratory rate and depth?

Chemical factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the amount of air that can be taken in forcibly over the tidal volume?

Inspiratory reserve volume Signup and view all the answers

What is the volume of air moved into and out of the lungs with each breath during normal quiet breathing?

500 ml Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of hyperventilation on blood pH?

It returns blood pH to normal range Signup and view all the answers

What happens when carbon dioxide accumulates in the blood?

Blood pH becomes more acidic Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the hypothalamus in breathing?

It initiates reflexes in response to emotional stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of decreased oxygen levels in the blood?

It increases breathing rate Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of quitting smoking for people who have been smoking for many years?

Significantly lowering the chances of developing lung cancer Signup and view all the answers

What is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide?

Lung cancer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of bronchodilator inhalers in treating COPD?

Relaxing the airways to keep them open Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of lung cancer that occurs when the disease is advanced?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible indication of lung cancer spreading to other parts of the body?

Bone pain Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between COPD and lung cancer?

COPD can get better, while lung cancer cannot be cured Signup and view all the answers

What is a common underlying factor that predisposes individuals to acute secondary bacterial infections of the bronchi?

Viral infections such as the common cold or influenza Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of chronic bronchitis?

Prolonged irritation of the bronchial epithelium Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the destruction of ciliated epithelium in chronic bronchitis?

Mucus accumulation worsens Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of emphysema?

Abnormal accumulation of air in the lungs Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential complication of chronic bronchitis?

Emphysema Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of edema and inflammatory changes in chronic bronchitis?

Swelling and thickening of the airway Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Trachea Structure and Function

The trachea is reinforced with C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage, making it fairly rigid.
The open parts of the rings allow the esophagus to expand anteriorly when swallowing, while the solid portions support the trachea walls and keep it patent.
The trachea is lined with ciliated mucosa that propels mucus, loaded with dust particles and other debris, away from the lungs and towards the throat.

Main Bronchi

The right and left main bronchi are formed by the division of the trachea.
Each main bronchus runs obliquely before plunging into the medial depression of the lung on its own side.
The right main bronchus is wider, shorter, and straighter than the left.

Lungs

The lungs occupy the entire thoracic cavity, except for the mediastinum, which houses the heart, great blood vessels, bronchi, esophagus, and other organs.
The narrow, superior portion of each lung is the apex, which is just deep to the clavicle.
The broad lung area resting on the diaphragm is the base.

Respiratory Volumes and Capacities

Tidal volume: approximately 500 ml of air moved into and out of the lungs with each breath.
Inspiratory reserve volume: 2100-3200 ml of air that can be taken in forcibly over the tidal volume.
Expiratory reserve volume: approximately 1200 ml of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a tidal expiration.
Residual volume: approximately 1200 ml of air that remains in the lungs after the most strenuous expiration, allowing gas exchange to continue.
Vital capacity: the sum of tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, and expiratory reserve volume, typically around 4800 ml in healthy young men.

Other Respiratory Concepts

Dead space volume: approximately 150 ml of air that enters the respiratory tract but never reaches the alveoli.
Volition: voluntary control of breathing is limited, and the respiratory centers can override conscious control when oxygen supply is low or blood pH is falling.
Emotional factors: modify the rate and depth of breathing through reflexes initiated by emotional stimuli acting through centers in the hypothalamus.
Chemical factors: levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood are the most important stimuli that modify respiratory rate and depth.
Hyperventilation: blows off more carbon dioxide, decreasing the amount of carbonic acid, and returning blood pH to normal range.
Hypoventilation: allows carbon dioxide to accumulate in the blood, bringing blood pH back into normal range when it becomes slightly alkaline.

Respiratory Diseases

COPD: can be treated with medicines, oxygen, and pulmonary rehabilitation, but is not curable; main treatments include inhaled medicines that open and reduce swelling in the airways.
Lung cancer: leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide; risk increases with length and number of cigarettes smoked; quitting smoking significantly lowers the chances of developing lung cancer.
Symptoms of lung cancer: may include a new cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
Acute bronchitis: secondary bacterial infections of the bronchi, often preceded by common cold or influenza.
Chronic bronchitis: progressive inflammatory disease resulting from prolonged irritation of the bronchial epithelium, often a consequence of cigarette smoking and chronic exposure to airborne irritants.

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Description

Learn about the structure and function of the trachea, including its rigidity, C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage, and ciliated mucosa. Understand how the trachea adapts to pressure changes during breathing and swallowing.