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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the laryngopharynx?
What is the primary function of the laryngopharynx?
Where does a cricothyrotomy incision occur?
Where does a cricothyrotomy incision occur?
What is the role of the epiglottis during swallowing?
What is the role of the epiglottis during swallowing?
What structure does the trachea extend into after leaving the larynx?
What structure does the trachea extend into after leaving the larynx?
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What is the smallest division of the bronchial tree?
What is the smallest division of the bronchial tree?
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What are the alveoli responsible for?
What are the alveoli responsible for?
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Which cartilage is prominently known as the 'Adam’s apple'?
Which cartilage is prominently known as the 'Adam’s apple'?
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What separates the larynx from the esophagus?
What separates the larynx from the esophagus?
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What components make up the upper respiratory tract?
What components make up the upper respiratory tract?
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Which of the following is NOT part of the conducting zone?
Which of the following is NOT part of the conducting zone?
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Which structure is primarily responsible for gas exchange?
Which structure is primarily responsible for gas exchange?
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What function does the pharynx serve?
What function does the pharynx serve?
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Which anatomical regions comprise the pharynx?
Which anatomical regions comprise the pharynx?
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What is the role of the nasal concha in the nasal cavity?
What is the role of the nasal concha in the nasal cavity?
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Where do the olfactory nerves send smell information to after entering the cribriform plate?
Where do the olfactory nerves send smell information to after entering the cribriform plate?
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Which of the following structures is responsible for draining secretions from the sinuses into the nose?
Which of the following structures is responsible for draining secretions from the sinuses into the nose?
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Study Notes
Respiratory System Anatomy
- The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, pharynx, and associated structures.
- The lower respiratory tract includes the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
Conducting Zone
- The conducting zone brings air to the site of external respiration.
- It includes the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and terminal bronchioles.
Respiratory Zone
- The respiratory zone is the main site of gas exchange.
- It is made up of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli.
Air Traversal Through Respiratory Tract
- Air passes through the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, tertiary bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli (150 million/lung).
Nasal Conchae
- Increase the surface area of the nasal cavity.
- Allows more air to contact the cavity walls.
- Helps warm and humidify the air before it reaches the lungs.
- Nasolacrimal duct drains secretions from sinuses and tears into the nose.
Olfactory Nerves
- Pierce the cribriform plate.
- Carry smell information from the nose to the brain.
Pharynx
- A hollow tube.
- Functions as a passageway for air and food, a resonating chamber, and housing for the tonsils.
- Has three anatomical regions: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
Nasopharynx
- Contains the pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids).
- Has openings for the Eustachian tubes (auditory tubes).
- Separated from the oropharynx by the hard and soft palate.
Laryngopharynx
- Lies inferiorly and opens into the larynx (voice box) and esophagus.
- Participates in both respiratory and digestive functions.
Larynx
- Forms a short passageway connecting the laryngopharynx to the trachea (windpipe).
- Thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple) is a landmark for creating an emergency airway (cricothyrotomy).
- Cricothyrotomy is an incision through the skin and cricothyroid membrane to create a patient airway.
Epiglottis
- A flap at the entrance to the glottis (opening between vocal folds).
- Held anteriorly during breathing, then pulled backward to close off the glottic opening during swallowing.
Vocal Folds
- Located high in the larynx, below where the larynx and esophagus separate from the pharynx.
Trachea
- A semi-rigid pipe, approximately 12 cm long.
- Extends from the inferior portion of the larynx into the mediastinum, where it divides into right and left primary ("mainstem") bronchi.
Carina
- An internal ridge at the junction of the two mainstem bronchi.
- A sensitive area for triggering the cough reflex.
Bronchi
- The primary bronchi divide to form secondary and tertiary bronchi.
- Tertiary bronchi divide into bronchioles.
- The smallest bronchioles are the terminal bronchioles.
Alveoli
- Cup-shaped outpouchings (tiny air sacs).
- Participate in gas exchange between air and blood.
- Delicate structures composed primarily of type I alveolar cells for gas exchange with pulmonary capillaries.
- Type II cells secrete surfactant to prevent alveolar collapse during exhalation.
Lungs
- The apex is superior and extends slightly above the clavicles.
- The base rests on the diaphragm.
- The cardiac notch in the left lung makes it 10% smaller than the right lung.
Pleura
- Each lung is enclosed by a double-layered pleural membrane.
- Parietal pleura lines the walls of the thoracic cavity.
- Visceral pleura adheres tightly to the surface of the lungs.
- Pleural fluid reduces friction and allows the layers to slide across each other.
- The visceral & parietal pleura create a mechanical coupling, enabling the lungs to move together.
Pulmonary Ventilation
- Movement of air between the atmosphere and alveoli.
- Consists of inhalation and exhalation..
Diaphragm
- Primary muscle of respiration.
Measuring Ventilation
- Using spirometry.
- Spirometer measures the volume of air inspired and expired by the lungs.
- Key measurements (specific volumes):
- Tidal Volume (Vt)
- Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
- Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
- Vital Capacity (VC)
- Residual Volume (RV)
- Only about 70% of tidal volume reaches the respiratory zone - the other 30% (anatomic dead space).
- Minute Ventilation = (12 breaths/min) x (500 ml air/breath)
- Alveolar Ventilation = (12 breaths/min) x (350 ml air/breath)
Transport of O2 and CO2
- Some O2 is dissolved in plasma.
- Most O2 (about 98.5%) is carried bound to hemoglobin (Hb).
- Oxygenated hemoglobin is called oxyhemoglobin.
- O2 is needed in tissues to make ATP
- CO2 constantly diffuses from tissues to be transported in blood.
- SaO2 is a measurement of the percentage of oxygen-bound hemoglobin in arterial blood.
- Normal SaO2 is close to 95-98%.
pH
- Blood pH is critical for respiratory regulation.
- Acidosis and alkalosis are classified by blood pH.
Control of Respiration
- The medulla rhythmicity area in the brainstem controls basic respiratory patterns.
- The inspiratory center stimulates the diaphragm (via phrenic nerve) and external intercostal muscles (via intercostal nerves).
Diseases and Disorders
- Asthma: disease of hyper-reactive airways; wheezing, coughing, mucus production. Typically triggered by allergens.
- Chronic bronchitis and emphysema: caused by chronic irritation and inflammation, leading to lung destruction; patients may cough up green-yellow sputum due to infection and mucus secretion (productive cough). Mostly caused by cigarette smoke.
- Pneumonia: acute infection of the lower respiratory tract; small bronchioles and alveoli become filled with inflammatory fluid exudate. Typically caused by infectious agents like bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the respiratory system with this quiz. Explore the structures of both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, as well as the zones involved in air conduction and gas exchange. Perfect for students studying human physiology.
