Respiratory System pt 1.

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the epiglottis during swallowing?

To help produce sound during speech.

To control airflow into the trachea.

To provide structural support to the larynx.

To close over the larynx to prevent food from entering the airway. (correct)

What is the role of the ciliated epithelium found in the larynx and trachea?

To sweep dust and microorganisms upward towards the pharynx. (correct)

To absorb oxygen from the air.

To assist in gas exchange.

To produce sound for speech.

How does the vocal cord mechanism produce sound?

By the movement of the jaw and tongue.

By exhaled air passing between pulled vocal cords across the glottis. (correct)

Through the contraction of the diaphragm only.

By vibrating in response to changes in temperature.

What purpose do the c-shaped cartilage rings in the trachea serve?

To support the trachea and allow esophageal expansion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of pulmonary surfactant in the alveoli?

To reduce surface tension and aid in alveolar expansion. Signup and view all the answers

Which lobes are present in the right lung?

Three lobes. Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium primarily makes up the alveoli?

Simple squamous epithelium. Signup and view all the answers

What is the hilus in the lungs?

The indentation where the primary bronchus, pulmonary artery, and vein enter the lung. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the nasal cavities?

To filter and humidify incoming air Signup and view all the answers

Which structure prevents food or saliva from entering the nasopharynx during swallowing?

Soft palate Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the nasopharynx from the oropharynx?

The function as an air passageway only Signup and view all the answers

What role do olfactory receptors in the nasal cavities serve?

Detect vaporized chemicals for smell Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the larynx is correct?

It serves as an air passageway between the pharynx and trachea Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the paranasal sinuses?

To lighten the skull and provide voice resonance Signup and view all the answers

Which part is NOT considered part of the upper respiratory tract?

Lungs Signup and view all the answers

What are conchae responsible for within the nasal cavity?

Increasing surface area for filtering air Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Respiratory System: Anatomy

The upper respiratory tract is composed of parts outside the chest cavity, including the nose, nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, and upper trachea.
The lower respiratory tract contains parts within the chest cavity, including lower trachea, lungs (bronchial tubes and alveoli).
Nose and nasal cavities:
- These are the entry and exit points for air.
- Made of bone and cartilage.
- Hairs inside the nose prevent dust entry.
- Two nasal cavities are separated by the nasal septum.
- Lined with nasal mucosa: ciliated epithelium with goblet cells that produce mucus.
- Conchae are shelf-like bones on the lateral walls of the nasal cavity, increasing surface area.
- Air is warmed and humidified as it enters.
- Bacteria and particles are trapped in mucus, then moved by cilia toward the pharynx to be swallowed.
Olfactory receptors, located in the upper nasal cavities, detect vaporized chemicals inhaled during smelling.
Paranasal sinuses are air cavities in the maxilla, frontal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones, lined with ciliated epithelium and draining mucus into the nasal cavities.
- Functions: lighten the skull, and provide resonance for the voice.
Pharynx:
- Muscular tube, posterior to the nasal and oral cavities and anterior to the cervical vertebrae.
- Nasopharynx: located behind the nose.
- Soft palate: elevated during swallowing, blocking the nasopharynx to prevent food or saliva from entering.
- Uvula: hangs from the soft palate.
- Adenoids (pharyngeal tonsil): located on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
- Eustachian tubes: connect the nasopharynx to the middle ear cavities, allowing air to enter and leave the middle ear.
- The nasopharynx is an air passageway only.
Oropharynx:
- Located behind the mouth, serves as a food and air passageway.
- Palatine tonsils: lymph nodules on the lateral walls.
- Forms a ring of lymphatic tissue with adenoids and lingual tonsils at the base of the tongue, surrounding the pharynx to protect it from pathogens.
Laryngopharynx:
- Serves as a food and air passageway.
- Opens anteriorly to the larynx and posteriorly to the esophagus.
- Contractions of its muscular wall contribute to the swallowing reflex.
Larynx (voice box):
- Air passageway between the pharynx and trachea.
- Made of nine pieces of cartilage connected by ligaments, preventing collapse and keeping the airway open.
- Thyroid cartilage: largest cartilage piece.
- Epiglottis: uppermost cartilage that closes over the larynx during swallowing, preventing food from entering the airway.
- Larynx is elevated during swallowing.
- Lined with ciliated epithelium, sweeping dust and microorganisms upward.
- Vocal cords: located on either side of the glottis (opening to the trachea), which helps produce sound during speech.
- Speaking mechanism: muscles pull vocal cords across the glottis, and exhaled air vibrates them to produce sounds.
Trachea:
- Four to five inches long, extending from the larynx to the primary bronchi.
- Contains 16 to 20 c-shaped cartilage rings, keeping it open and allowing expansion of the esophagus behind it during swallowing.
- Lined with ciliated epithelium and goblet cells producing mucus, sweeping towards the pharynx for swallowing.
Bronchial tree:
- Right and left primary bronchi: branches of the trachea entering the lungs.
- Secondary bronchi: branch from the primary bronchi, leading to each lobe of the lung (three lobes right, two lobes left).
- Bronchioles: smaller branches within the bronchial tree, terminating into clusters of alveoli.
- Alveoli: tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles, responsible for gas exchange.

Respiratory System: Lungs and Pleural Membranes

Lungs:
- Located on either side of the heart, encircled and protected by the rib cage.
- Base of each lung rests on the diaphragm.
- Apex (top) of each lung reaches to the clavicles.
- Hilus: indentation where the primary bronchus, pulmonary artery, and vein enter the lung.
Pleural membranes:
- Serous membranes in the thoracic cavity.
- Parietal pleura: lines the inside of the chest wall.
- Visceral pleura: covers the surface of the lungs.
- Serous fluid: present between the parietal and visceral pleura, helps keep them together and prevent friction during breathing.

Respiratory System: Alveoli

Alveoli:
- The functional units of the lungs, responsible for gas exchange.
- Made of simple squamous epithelium (one cell thick) to facilitate gas diffusion.
- Surrounded by clusters of elastic connective tissue, aiding in exhalation.
- Contain macrophages to engulf foreign substances.
- Surrounded by a capillary network for efficient gas diffusion.
- Lined with a thin layer of tissue fluid, essential for gas diffusion as gases must dissolve in a liquid to enter or leave a cell.
- Pulmonary surfactant: present in the tissue fluid, reduces surface tension to permit the alveoli to expand.

Upper Respiratory Tract

Composed of organs located outside the chest cavity: nose, nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, and upper trachea.
Nose: point of entry and exit for air.
- Consists of bone and cartilage with interior hairs to prevent dust entry.
- Two nasal cavities separated by the nasal septum.
- Lined with nasal mucosa: contains ciliated epithelium and goblet cells producing mucus.
- Conchae: bony shelves increasing surface area for air warming and humidification.
- Mucus traps bacteria and particles, which are moved by cilia toward the pharynx for swallowing.
- Olfactory receptors: detect vaporized chemicals for smelling in the upper nasal cavities.
Pharynx: muscular tube connecting nasal and oral cavities to the cervical vertebrae.
- Nasopharynx: located behind the nose; air passageway only.
- Soft palate: elevates during swallowing to prevent food and saliva entry into the nasopharynx.
- Uvula: hangs from the soft palate.
- Adenoids (pharyngeal tonsil): located on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
- Eustachian tubes: connect the nasopharynx to the middle ear cavities allowing air passage.
- Oropharynx: located behind the mouth; serves as a passageway for food and air.
- Palatine tonsils: lymph nodules on the lateral walls.
- Laryngopharynx: serves as a passageway for food and air; connects anteriorly to the larynx and posteriorly to the esophagus.
- Muscular contractions contribute to the swallowing reflex.
Larynx (voice box): air passageway between the pharynx and trachea.
- Made of nine cartilages connected by ligaments preventing collapse and keeping the airway open.
- Thyroid cartilage: largest cartilage piece.
- Epiglottis: uppermost cartilage closing over the larynx during swallowing to prevent food entry.
- Vocal cords: located on either side of the glottis (opening to the trachea); responsible for sound production during speech.
- Speaking mechanism: muscles pull vocal cords across the glottis, vibrating them with exhaled air to produce sounds.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Composed of organs within the chest cavity: lower trachea, lungs (bronchial tubes and alveoli).
Trachea: four to five inches long, extending from the larynx to the primary bronchi.
- Contains 16 to 20 C-shaped cartilage rings to keep it open and allow esophageal expansion during swallowing.
- Lined with ciliated epithelium and goblet cells producing mucus that is swept towards the pharynx for swallowing.
Bronchial tree: branches of the trachea extending into the lungs.
- Right and left primary bronchi: enter the lungs.
- Secondary bronchi: branch from the primary bronchi, leading to each lobe of the lung.
- Bronchioles: smaller branches within the bronchial tree terminating into clusters of alveoli.

Lungs and Pleural Membranes

Lungs: located on either side of the heart, enclosed by the rib cage.
- Base of each lung rests on the diaphragm.
- Apex (top) of each lung reaches the clavicles.
- Hilus: indentation where the primary bronchus, pulmonary artery, and vein enter the lung.
Pleural membranes: serous membranes in the thoracic cavity.
- Parietal pleura: lines the inside of the chest wall.
- Visceral pleura: covers the surface of the lungs.
- Serous fluid: present between parietal and visceral pleura, helps keep them together and prevents friction during breathing.

Alveoli

Alveoli: functional units of the lungs responsible for gas exchange.
- Made of simple squamous epithelium (one cell thick) for efficient gas diffusion.
- Surrounded by clusters of elastic connective tissue aiding in exhalation.
- Contain macrophages engulfing foreign substances.
- Surrounded by a capillary network for efficient gas diffusion.
- Lined with a thin layer of tissue fluid for gas diffusion (gases must dissolve in liquid to enter or leave cells).
- Pulmonary surfactant: present in the tissue fluid, reduces surface tension to allow alveolar expansion.

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Description

Explore the essential components of the respiratory system in this quiz. Learn about the anatomy of both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, including the nose, nasal cavities, and lungs. Test your knowledge on how these structures function and interact in the process of breathing.