Respiratory System Anatomy Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of lysozyme and defensins secreted by serous and mucus-producing cells?

To produce sound via vocal cords

To provide structural support to the larynx

To offer antibacterial protection (correct)

To regulate air volume in the lungs

Which regions divide the pharynx?

Nasopharynx, laryngopharynx, hypopharynx

Oropharynx, trachea, laryngopharynx

Nasopharynx, oropharynx, trachea

Nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx (correct)

What significant feature does the thyroid cartilage possess?

It is located superior to the cricoid cartilage

It is the largest cartilage of the larynx (correct)

It contains the epiglottis

It is the smallest cartilage in the larynx

What role does the epiglottis play when it is in the closed position?

It covers the opening of the trachea Signup and view all the answers

Which cartilages are involved in the movement of the vocal cords?

Arytenoids, corniculates, and cuneiforms Signup and view all the answers

How many C-shaped pieces of cartilage comprise the trachea?

16 to 20 Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the trachealis muscle and elastic connective tissue in the trachea?

To connect C-shaped cartilages and maintain flexibility Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the larynx is known as the 'Adam's apple'?

Thyroid cartilage Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of type II alveolar cells?

To secrete pulmonary surfactant Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of asthma?

High levels of oxygen in the blood Signup and view all the answers

What role do alveolar macrophages play in the respiratory system?

They remove pathogens and debris Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following triggers might lead to an asthma attack?

Dust and pollen Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of a severe asthma attack requiring immediate medical attention?

Cyanosis of lips or face Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cell primarily constitutes the alveolar surface area?

Type I alveolar cells Signup and view all the answers

How can asthma medications be delivered to young children who have difficulty using an inhaler?

With a nebulizer Signup and view all the answers

What is the thickness of type I alveolar cells approximately?

25 nm Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the pleural fluid during breathing?

To reduce friction and maintain lung position Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes Boyle's Law?

Pressure and volume are inversely related at constant temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What role does atmospheric pressure play in pulmonary ventilation?

It influences alveolar pressure during inhalation and exhalation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increasing the volume within a container of gas, according to Boyle's Law?

The pressure decreases. Signup and view all the answers

How does the pleurae contribute to preventing the spread of infection?

By creating a barrier between major organs. Signup and view all the answers

What factors drive pulmonary ventilation?

Atmospheric pressure, alveolar pressure, and intrapleural pressure. Signup and view all the answers

During inhalation, what happens to the intrapleural pressure?

It decreases, allowing lung expansion. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the volume of gas in a container decreases?

The pressure of the gas increases. Signup and view all the answers

At what week does significant respiratory development milestones occur for premature infants?

Week 28 Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of pulmonary surfactant produced late in pregnancy?

Reduce surface tension in the alveoli Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of infants born between 26 and 28 weeks may develop respiratory distress syndrome?

Up to 50% Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of fetal breathing movements observed during development?

They involve inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. Signup and view all the answers

When does the formation of pulmonary capillaries primarily occur in fetal development?

Weeks 24-28 Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the fetal lungs during passage through the birth canal?

They are compressed, expelling fluid. Signup and view all the answers

At what age does a full complement of functional alveoli typically develop?

Around 8 years Signup and view all the answers

What does respiratory distress syndrome primarily occur in infants born at?

26-28 weeks Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the trachealis muscle?

To contract and force air through the trachea during exhalation Signup and view all the answers

Which type of epithelium lines the bronchial tree?

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium Signup and view all the answers

What role do alveolar pores play in the lung?

They connect adjacent alveoli to maintain equal air pressure Signup and view all the answers

At which point does the respiratory zone begin?

Where terminal bronchioles meet respiratory bronchioles Signup and view all the answers

How many terminal bronchioles are there approximately in each lung?

About 1000 Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of cartilage rings in the trachea?

They prevent the trachea from collapsing Signup and view all the answers

What initiates violent coughing at the carina?

Presence of a foreign body such as food Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the walls of bronchioles compared to bronchi?

Bronchioles have thicker muscular walls and no cartilage Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Serous and Mucous Producing Cells

Secrete lysozyme enzyme and defensins, both of which have antibacterial properties.
Immune cells help protect connective tissue deep to the respiratory epithelium.

Pharynx

A tube formed by skeletal muscle and lined with mucous membrane that's continuous with the nasal cavities.
Divided into three regions: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

Larynx

Cartilaginous structure inferior to the laryngopharynx.
Connects the pharynx to the trachea.
Regulates the volume of air that enters and leaves the lungs.
Composed of several pieces of cartilage including the thyroid cartilage, epiglottis, and cricoid cartilage.
The thyroid cartilage is the largest cartilage piece of the larynx and contains the laryngeal prominence, or "Adam's apple."
The cricoid cartilage is thick and makes a ring, with a wider region posteriorly and a thinner region anteriorly.
Three smaller pairs of cartilages, including the arytenoids, corniculates, and cuneiforms, attach to the epiglottis and vocal cords.
The epiglottis attaches to the thyroid cartilage and is a very flexible piece of elastic cartilage that covers the opening of the trachea.
The glottis contains the vestibular folds, true vocal cords, and the space between these folds.
A vestibular fold, or false vocal cord, is a folded section of mucous membrane.
A true vocal cord is a white, membranous fold attached to the thyroid and arytenoid cartilages of the larynx.

Trachea

Extends from the larynx to the lungs.
Consists of 16 to 20 stacked, C-shaped pieces of hyaline cartilage that are connected by dense connective tissue.
The trachealis muscle and elastic connective tissue forms the fibroelastic membrane, which is flexible membrane connecting the C-shaped cartilages.
The fibroelastic membrane allows the trachea to expand during inhalation and exhalation, and the rings of cartilage provide structural support.
The fibroelastic membrane helps to prevent the trachea from collapsing.
The trachealis muscle can contract to force air through the trachea during exhalation.
Lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium.

Bronchial Tree

The trachea branches into the right and left primary bronchi at the carina.
Bronchi are lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium that contains mucus-producing goblet cells.
The carina is a raised structure that triggers coughing if foreign bodies are present.
The main function of the bronchi is to provide a passageway for air to move into and out of each lung.
Mucous membranes trap debris and pathogens.
A bronchiole branches from the tertiary bronchi.
Bronchioles further branch, becoming terminal bronchioles, which lead to the respiratory zone structures involved in gas exchange.
There are over 1000 terminal bronchioles in each lung.
The muscular walls of the bronchioles do not contain cartilage.
The muscular wall can change the size of the tubing to increase or decrease airflow.

Respiratory Zone

Directly involved in gas exchange.
Begins where the terminal bronchioles join the respiratory bronchiole, the smallest type of bronchiole.
Respiratory bronchioles lead to alveolar ducts and a cluster of alveoli.

Alveoli

An alveolar duct is a tube composed of smooth muscle and connective tissue.
An alveolus is a small, grape-like sac attached to the alveolar duct.
An alveolar sac is a cluster of alveoli that are responsible for gas exchange.
An alveolus is 200 mm in diameter and has elastic walls that allow it to stretch with each breath.
Alveoli are connected by alveolar pores that maintain equal air pressure.
The alveolar wall contains three cell types: type I alveolar cells, type II alveolar cells, and alveolar macrophages.
Type I alveolar cells are squamous epithelial cells that make up 97% of the alveolar surface area.
Type II alveolar cells secrete pulmonary surfactant.
Alveolar macrophages remove debris and pathogens.

Asthma

Chronic disease affecting the lungs in both children and adults.
Characterized by inflammation, airway edema, bronchospasms, and excessive mucus secretion.
Immune cells like eosinophils and mononuclear cells may infiltrate the bronchi and bronchioles.
Attacks are triggered by environmental factors such as dust, pollen, pet hair, changes in the weather, mold, tobacco smoke, respiratory infections, exercise, and stress.
Asthma attacks cause coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness of the chest.
Severe attacks may cause difficulty breathing, blue lips, confusion, drowsiness, rapid pulse, sweating, and anxiety.

The Pleurae

The layer that covers the lungs is called the visceral pleura.
The outer layer lining the thoracic cavity is called the parietal pleura.
The pleural cavity contains pleural fluid that acts as lubrication to reduce friction and prevent trauma during breathing.
Pleural fluid helps maintain the position of the lungs against the thoracic wall.
The pleurae create a barrier between major organs.

The Process of Breathing (Pulmonary ventilation):

The movement of air into and out of the lungs.
The major mechanisms of pulmonary ventilation involve atmospheric pressure, alveolar pressure, and intrapleural pressure.
Inspiration and expiration depend on the differences in pressure between the atmosphere and the lungs.

Pressure Relationships

Pressure is created by the movement of molecules confined in an area.
Boyle's Law describes the relationship between the volume and pressure of a gas at a constant temperature.
Boyle's Law states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume.
Atmospheric pressure is the force that is exerted by gases in the surrounding air.

Development of the Lungs

Major growth and maturation of the respiratory system occurs between week 24 of gestation through term.
Alveolar precursors develop and larger amounts of pulmonary surfactant are produced.
Surfactant levels are inadequate to create effective lung compliance until about the eighth month of pregnancy.
The respiratory system continues to expand, and the surfaces that will form the respiratory membrane develop further.
Pulmonary capillaries form and expand creating a larger surface area for gas exchange.
At week 28, a baby born prematurely can usually breathe on its own.
Alveoli continue to develop and mature through childhood.
A full complement of functional alveoli does not appear until around 8 years of age.
Fetal breathing movements begin at 20-21 weeks of development.
Fetal breathing movements involve muscle contractions that cause the inhalation and exhalation of amniotic fluid, surfactant, and mucus.

Birth

Prior to birth, the lungs are filled with amniotic fluid, mucus, and surfactant.
The fetal thoracic cavity is compressed, expelling some of the fluid.
Remaining fluid is absorbed shortly after birth.
The first inhalation occurs within 10 seconds after birth and inflates the lungs.
Pulmonary surfactant is critical for lung inflation.
Preterm birth before 26 weeks frequently results in respiratory distress syndrome.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

Primarily occurs in infants born prematurely.
Up to 50% of infants born between 26 and 28 weeks, and fewer than 30% of infants born between 30 and 31 weeks, develop RDS.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the respiratory system, including the roles of serous and mucous cells, and the structure of the pharynx and larynx. This quiz covers essential components like the cartilage involved and their functions. Perfect for students of anatomy and physiology.