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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the pharynx in the respiratory system?
Which part of the trachea contains smooth muscle?
What is the function of simple cuboidal cells in the alveolar epithelium?
What is the term for the process of exchanging gases between the air and the blood?
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What is the result of an increase in thickness of the respiratory membrane, as seen in pneumonia?
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Which of the following is NOT a part of the conducting system of the lungs?
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What is the primary function of the simple squamous epithelium in the capillaries?
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What is the primary mechanism by which the respiratory system protects against bacterial infections?
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What is the relationship between volume changes and pressure changes in the thoracic cavity?
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Which of the following muscles is NOT involved in forced inspiration?
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What is the role of the epiglottis in the respiratory system?
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What is the primary force driving airflow into and out of the lungs during pulmonary ventilation?
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Study Notes
Respiratory System Anatomy
- Route of air flow during inspiration and expiration: nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and lungs
- Functions of each organ:
- Nasal cavity: warms, humidifies, and filters air
- Pharynx: passage for air and food/liquid with 3 areas (nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx)
- Larynx: cartilage and connective tissue involved in breathing, producing sound, and protecting trachea against aspiration
- Trachea: contains C-shaped cartilage rings and smooth muscle
- Bronchi and bronchioles: conducting system of the lungs
- Alveoli: site of external respiration, involved in gas exchange
- Lungs: made up of alveoli, elastic tissue, and airways
Alveoli
- Makeup of an alveolus:
- Alveolar epithelium: mostly simple squamous for gas exchange, with simple cuboidal cells that secrete lung surfactant
- Macrophages (innate immune system) present
- Respiratory membrane: site of external respiration, composed of fused basement membranes of alveolar epithelium and capillary endothelium
Changes in Structure of Airways
- Progressing closer to the alveoli:
- Presence of mucociliary escalator
- Presence of cartilage (larynx to small bronchi, not in bronchioles)
- Presence of smooth muscle (pharynx, trachea, and bronchioles), which becomes more prominent in smaller airways
Protective Mechanisms of the Respiratory System
- Mechanisms:
- Mucous production (traps and kills bacteria)
- Cilia (works with mucous to remove debris: mucociliary escalator)
- Tonsils
- Epiglottis
- Cartilage to keep airways open
- Lung surfactant
- Macrophages
Pulmonary Ventilation
- Definition: mechanical process causing gas to flow into and out of the lungs according to pressure changes (resulting from volume changes) in the thoracic cavity
- Volume changes cause pressure changes, which cause air to move
- Relationship between volume change, pressure change, pressure gradients, and movement of gases during ventilation (inspiration and expiration)
Sequence of Events in Pulmonary Ventilation
- Brainstem
- Spinal nerves
- Diaphragm
- Intercostal muscles
- Changes in air pressure (intrapulmonary and atmospheric)
- Pressure gradients
- Airflow
Respiratory Muscles and Lung Elasticity
- Relative roles in producing volume changes that cause air to flow into and out of the lungs
- Additional muscles recruited for forced inspiration and expiration
- Roles of skeletal muscles:
- Diaphragm (inspiration)
- External intercostals (inspiration)
- Sternocleidomastoid (inspiration)
- Scalenese (inspiration)
- Internal intercostals (expiration)
- Abdominal-wall muscles (expiration)
- Importance of elastic recoil of the lungs in producing volume changes
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Description
Test your knowledge of the respiratory system by identifying the route of air flow during inspiration and expiration, including the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and lungs. Label the organs on a diagram and understand their functions.
