Respiratory System Anatomy Quiz

Croup and Epiglottis

• Epiglottis consists of elastic cartilage in the larynx.
• Lined on the lingual side with stratified squamous epithelium, and laryngeal side with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium.
• Contains serous and mucous glands in the lamina propria.

Trachea

• A long tube with three layers: mucosa, submucosa, and adventitia.
• Bifurcates into two primary bronchi.

Mucosa of the Trachea

• Composed of respiratory epithelium with six cell types on a thick basement membrane.
• Goblet cells (30%) produce mucinogen.
• Ciliated columnar cells (30%) are tall with cilia and microvilli.
• Basal cells (30%) act as undifferentiated stem cells.
• Brush cells (3%) have unknown function but are associated with nerve endings.
• Serous cells (3%) are columnar with serous granules.
• DNES (3-4%) have granules containing pharmacological agents.

Lamina Propria

• Comprised of loose fibroelastic connective tissue (CT).
• Contains seromucous glands and lymphoid elements.
• Elastic lamina separates lamina propria from submucosa.

Submucosa

• Made of dense irregular fibroelastic CT.
• Houses mucous and seromucous glands, rich in blood and lymph supply.

Adventitia

• Composed of fibroelastic CT.
• Contains C-shaped hyaline cartilage, with a dense band of smooth muscle known as the trachealis muscle.

Bronchial Tree

• Comprises two primary bronchi, three lobar (secondary) bronchi on the right, two on the left, segmental (tertiary) bronchi, and bronchioles.
• Airways decrease in size and cartilage, glands, goblet cells, and epithelial cell height, but increase in smooth muscle and elastic tissue.

Primary Bronchi

• Similar structure to trachea but with a smaller diameter and thinner walls.
• Cartilage appears as irregular plates with distinct layers of smooth muscle between lamina propria and submucosa.

Bronchioles

• Lack cartilage and glands, but contain few goblet cells.
• Larger bronchioles have simple columnar ciliated epithelium; smaller bronchioles transition to simple cuboidal epithelium with no goblet cells.
• Surrounded by a smooth muscle coat and fibroelastic connective tissue.

Terminal Bronchioles

• Terminal points of the conducting portion lined by cuboidal cells and Clara cells with dome-shaped apical surfaces.

Clara Cells

• Columnar with dome-shaped apex; secrete glycoproteins and surfactant-like materials.
• Help degrade toxins and replace other cells through division; produce antimicrobial peptides.

Bronchiolitis

• Inflammation of bronchioles, affecting smallest air passages of the lungs.

Respiratory System

• Comprises lungs and airways, providing oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide.
• Divided into conducting portions (nasal cavity to terminal bronchioles) and respiratory portions.

Conducting Portion

• Includes nasal cavity, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, primary, secondary, tertiary bronchi, and terminal bronchioles.
• Cleans, warms, and moistens air before reaching the respiratory portion.

Nasal Cavity

• Comprises three regions: vestibule, respiratory, and olfactory.

Vestibule

• Anterior portion of the nasal cavity, lined with skin and short, stiff hairs (vibrissae) to filter dust.

Respiratory Epithelium

• Lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium.
• Contains ciliated columnar cells, goblet cells, brush cells, basal cells, and small granule cells.

Olfactory Region

• Features olfactory epithelium and lamina propria containing Bowman’s glands.
• Olfactory cells are bipolar neurons with specialized dendrites; sustentacular cells provide support; basal cells are progenitors.

Paranasal Sinuses

• Similar epithelium to nasal cavity; lamina propria fuses with bone periosteum, housing seromucous glands and lymphoid elements.

Sinusitis

• Inflammation of the sinuses, also called rhinosinusitis.
• Primary ciliary dyskinesia leads to respiratory tract ciliary defects.

Squamous Metaplasia

• Benign change where non-squamous cells transform to squamous morphology due to irritation (e.g., cigarette smoke).

Asthma

• Characterized by bronchospasm; epinephrine is often used in treatment.

Respiratory Bronchioles

• Transitional area consisting of ciliated cuboidal epithelium and Clara cells; contain alveoli.
• Smooth muscle and elastic fibers support the underlying epithelium.

Atelectasis

• Collapse or closure of the lung leading to reduced or absent gas exchange; can affect part or all of a lung.

Alveolar Ducts

• Composed of linear arrangements of alveoli without their own walls, ending in alveolar sacs.

Alveolus

• Functional unit of the respiratory system, approximately 200 micrometers in diameter.
• Composed of type I and type II pneumocytes; communicates through alveolar pores.

Cells of the Alveolar Septa

• Endothelial cells are non-fenestrated with thin nuclei.
• Type I pneumocytes cover most alveolar surface; type II pneumocytes are cuboidal and secrete surfactant.
• Alveolar macrophages maintain sterility; interstitial cells include fibroblasts and mast cells.

Type I Pneumocytes

• Comprise 95% of alveolar surface; simple squamous cells connected by occluding junctions.

Type II Pneumocytes

• Cover 5% of surface, located among type I cells where septa intersect; involved in surfactant production.

Alveolar Macrophages

• Originate from monocytes; maintain a sterile environment and assist type II cells in surfactant uptake.

Lamellar Granules

• Secretory organelles found in type II pneumocytes, involved in surfactant production.

Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the respiratory system, focusing on structures like the epiglottis and trachea. This quiz covers the types of epithelium, glandular tissues, and the overall organization of the respiratory tract. Perfect for students studying human biology or anatomy!