Respiratory System Chapter 22 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the function of the respiratory system?

To supply the body with oxygen and dispose of carbon dioxide

What are the four components of the respiratory system?

Internal respiration (correct)

External respiration (correct)

Transport (correct)

Pulmonary ventilation (correct)

Which component of the respiratory system happens at the lungs?

Pulmonary ventilation and external respiration

Which component of the respiratory system happens in the blood stream?

Transport Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the respiratory system happens in the tissues?

Internal respiration Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by pulmonary ventilation?

Air is moved into and out of the lungs so that gases are continuously replaced Signup and view all the answers

List all structures encountered along the path of air molecules as they enter the body.

Nostrils, Nasal cavity, Pharynx, Larynx, Trachea, Bronchi, Bronchioles, Alveolar ducts, Alveolar sacs, Alveoli, Blood Vessels, Tissues, Blood stream Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the conducting and the respiratory zones?

The conducting zone is the path that oxygen goes through to the lungs. The respiratory zone is where gas exchange takes place. Signup and view all the answers

What structures comprise the conducting zone?

Nostrils, Nasal cavity, Pharynx, Larynx, Trachea, Bronchi Signup and view all the answers

What structures comprise the respiratory zone?

Bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, alveoli Signup and view all the answers

Why is the nose called the 'air conditioner' of the respiratory system?

The incoming air is filtered, warmed, and humidified Signup and view all the answers

What structures facilitate warming, filtering, and humidifying air?

Warming: Nasal conchae, capillaries; Filter: Nasal hairs, Respiratory mucosa; Humidifying: Nasal conchae Signup and view all the answers

Why does it matter whether entering/exiting air is conditioned or not?

Filters pollutants, particles, and pathogens; warms to avoid chilling body core; moistened for easier gas exchange Signup and view all the answers

What connective tissues make up the nose?

Cartilage Signup and view all the answers

What bones/cartilage comprise the nasal septum?

Perpendicular plate of the ethmoid and vomer bones, and septal cartilage Signup and view all the answers

What kind of tissue makes up the nasal mucosa?

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium Signup and view all the answers

What cells cause nasal mucosa to be moist/sticky?

Goblet cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the job of the capillary networks in the nose?

They warm air Signup and view all the answers

Where are the nasal conchae located?

Inside the nasal cavity Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a concha and a meatus?

A concha is paired, bony projections along the lateral walls of the nasal cavity, a meatus is a separate air passage located immediately inferior to its corresponding nasal concha Signup and view all the answers

What is the job of the nasal conchae?

To increase surface area available for warming, moistening and filtering the air Signup and view all the answers

What is the layman or simple term for the pharynx?

The throat Signup and view all the answers

What are the order of the pharynx?

Nasopharynx Signup and view all the answers

How is the nasopharynx different from the oropharynx and laryngopharynx in terms of passage of food/air and tissue type?

Nasopharynx is lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium and it is the passage for air only. The oropharynx and laryngopharynx are lined with stratified squamous epithelium and are passages for food. Signup and view all the answers

What is the uvula and what is its function?

The structure that hangs down in the back of your throat. When you swallow food, it covers up the nasopharynx so food can't get into the nasal cavity. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three functions of the larynx?

<ol> <li>Produces vocalizations 2. Provides open airway 3. Routes food/air into proper tube</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

To what structures superior/inferior does the larynx attach?

Superior - hyoid bone; Inferior - trachea Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between the epiglottis, the glottis, and the vocal cords.

The glottis is made up of vocal cords and the trachea. The epiglottis is composed of elastic cartilage and it attaches to the thyroid cartilage inferiorly and to the tongue superiorly. Vocal cords allow for speech. Signup and view all the answers

How does the epiglottis prevent food from going down the wrong tube?

It moves back and forth to cover the trachea so that food can't get in. Signup and view all the answers

What structures are connected by the trachea?

Connects the larynx to the bronchi Signup and view all the answers

Describe the structure of the trachea.

A tube made of rings of cartilage Signup and view all the answers

Where is the trachea in relation to the esophagus?

Anterior to the esophagus Signup and view all the answers

Which one has rings of cartilage, trachea or esophagus?

Trachea Signup and view all the answers

Why is hyaline cartilage on the trachea necessary?

Keeps its shape so it can't collapse. Signup and view all the answers

Which one expands for food passage, trachea or esophagus?

Esophagus Signup and view all the answers

What is the job of the trachealis muscle?

To condense the trachea when we are eating so that the esophagus can expand. Signup and view all the answers

What structures does the trachea subdivide into?

Primary bronchi, Secondary bronchi, Terminal bronchioles, Alveolar ducts, Alveolar sacs, Alveoli Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'bronchial tree'?

What the trachea keeps subdividing into Signup and view all the answers

What is the mucociliary escalator?

It is made up of pseudostratified columnar epithelium and has mucus that captures particles not caught in the nasal cavity; cilia make you cough up the mucus. Signup and view all the answers

How might smoking affect the mucociliary escalator's function?

Cilia become paralyzed by nicotine, meaning they can't clear the mucus out. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of tissue lines the bronchioles?

Changes from pseudostratified columnar to simple columnar to simple cuboidal as bronchioles become smaller. Signup and view all the answers

What is the job of the smooth muscle in the bronchioles?

To regulate the diameter of the bronchioles. Signup and view all the answers

What is asthma?

A disease in which inflammation of the airways causes airflow into and out of the lungs to be restricted. Signup and view all the answers

How does asthma affect the smooth muscle and mucus of the bronchioles?

In an asthma attack, mucus production increases, bronchial muscles become tight, and the lining swells, reducing airflow. Signup and view all the answers

What structures are the actual sites of gas exchange in the respiratory zone?

Alveoli Signup and view all the answers

What tissue are the sites of gas exchange in the respiratory zone composed of, and why is this helpful for gas exchange?

Constructed of simple squamous epithelium; it facilitates easy diffusion. Signup and view all the answers

What materials make up the respiratory membrane?

Wall of alveolus - Type I alveolar cells and external surface covered by pulmonary capillaries. Signup and view all the answers

What are type II alveolar cells and what do they secrete?

Composed of cuboidal epithelial cells; they secrete surfactant. Signup and view all the answers

Why is this surfactant crucial for breathing?

Keeps alveoli from sticking together. Signup and view all the answers

Why are there so many capillaries surrounding the alveoli?

So that they can transfer oxygen to the rest of the body. Signup and view all the answers

Why would an illness that breaks down alveolar walls be so debilitating?

You lose surface area for gas exchange, preventing the person from obtaining enough air. Signup and view all the answers

Which body cavity contains the lungs?

Thoracic cavity Signup and view all the answers

Why are lungs so light and elastic?

They need to be able to expand and contract to take in and expel air. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cardiac notch?

Notch in the left lung that makes space for the heart. Signup and view all the answers

What is the hilum?

Region where blood vessels, bronchi, lymph vessels, and nerves enter and exit the lung. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term lung 'root' and what is the function of this region?

The hilum is considered the root; its function is to attach it to the rest of the mediastinum. Signup and view all the answers

What cavity holds the lungs?

Pleural cavity lined by visceral and parietal membranes. Signup and view all the answers

Which membrane lines the lung tissue itself?

Visceral membrane Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to atelectasis?

Air or fluid in the pleural cavity, airway obstruction, or lack of surfactant can result in a collapsed lung. Signup and view all the answers

When atelectasis happens, what part of the pleura has been compromised?

The visceral membrane Signup and view all the answers

Why is surface tension so important in lung expansion?

Surface tension helps expand lung when thoracic cavity expands. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'ventilation'?

Differences in air pressure between environment and lungs enable air to come in and out of the lungs. Signup and view all the answers

Why would the air pressure in the lungs drop when the thoracic cavity expands?

Boyle's Law states that when volume increases (inspiration), pressure decreases; and when volume decreases (expiration), pressure increases. Signup and view all the answers

What muscles are used to expand the thoracic cavity?

Diaphragm and external and internal intercostal muscles. Signup and view all the answers

What muscles are used to decrease the thoracic cavity?

Mostly passive, elastic fibers recoil. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between tidal volume and residual volume?

Tidal volume is the normal amount of air inspired and expired during quiet breathing. Residual volume is the air remaining after forced exhalation. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the process of diffusion so vital to gas exchange in the lungs and tissues?

Diffusion moves oxygen into the blood, then into tissues and removes carbon dioxide from the tissues to the blood, back to the lungs and out. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ventral respiratory group and how does it work?

The VRG is located in the reticular formation of the medulla. It acts as a pacemaker, using input from the pons and dorsal medulla to regulate basic rate and rhythm. It also stimulates motor neurons to respiratory muscles. Signup and view all the answers

Levels of what materials are monitored by the chemoreceptors?

Chemoreceptors monitor oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH. Signup and view all the answers

What changes would trigger the stimulation of the VRG to increase rate/depth of breathing?

Falling oxygen, rising carbon dioxide, or increase in acidity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Function of the Respiratory System

Supplies oxygen to the body and removes carbon dioxide.

Components of the Respiratory System

Pulmonary ventilation
External respiration
Transport of gases
Internal respiration

Respiratory Processes

Pulmonary ventilation and external respiration occur in the lungs.
Gas transport happens within the bloodstream.
Internal respiration occurs at the tissue level.

Air Pathway

Air travels through nostrils, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, alveoli, into blood vessels, then tissues, and back through the bloodstream.

Conducting vs. Respiratory Zones

Conducting zone consists of pathways for air entry (nostrils to bronchi).
Respiratory zone includes regions for gas exchange (bronchioles to alveoli).

Structures of the Respiratory System

Conducting zone: nostrils, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi.
Respiratory zone: bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, alveoli.

Nose Functions

Acts as an "air conditioner" by filtering, warming, and humidifying incoming air.
Facilitates warming via nasal conchae and capillaries; filtering via nasal hairs and respiratory mucosa; humidifying through nasal conchae.

Importance of Conditioned Air

Helps filter pollutants, prevent body core chilling from cold air, and promotes easy gas exchange by moistening air.

Nasal Anatomy

Composed of cartilage with the nasal septum made of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, vomer bone, and septal cartilage.

Nasal Mucosa

Lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium; moisture is contributed by goblet cells.
Capillary networks warm incoming air.

Pharynx Structure

Comprises nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx, differing in function and tissue type (air vs. food passage).

Larynx Functions

Produces vocalizations.
Provides an open airway for breathing.
Routes food and air into the correct channels.

Trachea Structure

Composed of rings of hyaline cartilage, connecting larynx to bronchi.
Located anterior to the esophagus, enabling its expansion for food passage.

Bronchial Tree

The trachea branches into primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, terminal bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli.

Mucociliary Escalator

Made of pseudostratified columnar epithelium and mucus, traps particles to be expelled via cilia.
Smoking paralyzes cilia, impairing function.

Bronchioles

Linings transition from pseudostratified columnar to simple columnar to simple cuboidal epithelium as they become smaller.
Smooth muscle regulates their diameter.

Asthma

Characterized by airway inflammation, increased mucus, and bronchial constriction, leading to restricted airflow and wheezing.

Alveoli and Gas Exchange

Sites of gas exchange, lined with simple squamous epithelium for efficient diffusion; high capillary density enhances oxygen transfer.

Surfactant Function

Secreted by type II alveolar cells, surfactant prevents alveoli from collapsing.

Lung Structure

Housed in the thoracic cavity, lungs are light and elastic, permitting expansion and contraction.
The cardiac notch allows space for the heart in the left lung.

Pleura and Lung Expansion

The visceral membrane lines lung tissue; air or fluid can cause atelectasis (lung collapse).
Surface tension assists lung expansion during thoracic cavity changes.

Ventilation Mechanics

Air pressure changes drive airflow into and out of the lungs, regulated by diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
Boyle's Law explains pressure-volume relationship during breathing.

Respiratory Control

The ventral respiratory group (VRG) in the medulla regulates the rhythm of breathing; it monitors O2, CO2, and pH levels.
Stimuli for increasing breathing include drops in O2, rises in CO2, or increased acidity.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the respiratory system with these flashcards for Chapter 22. Explore the key functions, components, and processes involved in respiration. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of this essential biological system.