The respiratory system: anatomy and physiology

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What is the primary function of the conducting zone in the respiratory system?

To produce mucus for airway protection

To filter particles from the air

To transport gas in and out of the lungs (correct)

To exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide

What structures are responsible for gas exchange in the respiratory zone?

Trachea

Alveoli (correct)

Bronchi

Respiratory bronchioles

Which structure connects the nasal cavity and the mouth to the larynx?

Pharynx (correct)

Trachea

Bronchi

Bronchioles

Which airways lack cartilage but have smooth muscles?

Bronchioles Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the trachea in the respiratory system?

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

Why do physiotherapists encourage clients to breathe through their nose?

Filters the air for particles, warms and humidifies it Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of collateral ventilation in the lungs?

To preserve gas exchange beyond obstructions Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the upper respiratory tract contains vocal cords?

Larynx Signup and view all the answers

At what age do the pores of Kohn develop in adult alveoli?

4 years old Signup and view all the answers

What type of channels develop as a result of alveolar wall destruction in pathologic states like emphysema?

Collateral channels Signup and view all the answers

What is the cross-sectional area of the lungs?

1,000,000 cm2 Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the respiratory system is responsible for coughing to clear the first 6 generations of airways?

Conducting zone Signup and view all the answers

What causes the movement of ribs during inspiration to be like that of a bucket handle?

Anterior ends of ribs 8–10 moving upwards and outwards Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pleural cavity?

Creates surface tension to pull pleura together Signup and view all the answers

Which joints in the rib cage form attachment points allowing for proper movement during breathing?

Costovertebral and costotransverse joints Signup and view all the answers

What are the three air pressures involved in inspiration and expiration?

The alveolar pressure, the atmospheric pressure, and the intrapleural pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the pleural fluid in the respiratory system?

Increases surface tension between the parietal and visceral pleura Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the slightly negative pressure in the intra-pleural space?

Balance between outward chest wall pull and lung collapse tendency Signup and view all the answers

What happens to intrapulmonary pressure during inspiration?

Decreases Signup and view all the answers

What drives air movement into and out of the lungs during respiration?

Atmospheric pressure gradient Signup and view all the answers

Which muscles are the principal muscles of inspiration?

External intercostals and diaphragm Signup and view all the answers

In quiet breathing, which muscles contribute to expiration?

Internal intercostals and abdominal muscles Signup and view all the answers

What is the mnemonic for remembering the innervation of the diaphragm?

C3, C4, C5 keeps the diaphragm alive Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a patient presents with a spinal cord injury at the level of C6?

No impact on diaphragm innervation Signup and view all the answers

Which muscles contribute to active expiration when additional respiratory effort is required?

Internal intercostals and abdominal muscles Signup and view all the answers

Which force contributes to the recoil of the alveoli back to their original shape after being stretched?

Surface tension of the alveoli Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of pulmonary surfactant in the lungs?

Reduce surface tension Signup and view all the answers

How does poor lung compliance affect the relationship between volume and pressure changes during breathing?

Decreases volume for a large change in pressure Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the outwards pull of the chest wall in maintaining lung expansion?

Recoil force of the chest wall Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon is indicated by plotting change in volume over change in pressure, where different curves are observed for inspiration and expiration due to surface tension?

Hysteresis Signup and view all the answers

Which lung volume refers to the volume of air expelled with force expiration?

Expiratory reserve volume Signup and view all the answers

What is the lung capacity that is determined by the outward spring of the rib cage and the inward elastic re-coil of the lungs?

Functional residual capacity Signup and view all the answers

How do taller people generally compare to obese people in terms of lung volumes?

Taller people have larger lung volumes Signup and view all the answers

What effect does aging have on lung volumes?

Decreases lung volumes Signup and view all the answers

What factor leads to an overall reduction in lung volume as a person ages?

Reduced thoracic cage compliance Signup and view all the answers

How does inspiratory muscle training affect lung volumes?

Increases lung volumes Signup and view all the answers

At what altitude do people tend to have larger lung volumes?

High altitude Signup and view all the answers

Which lung capacity provides information about the overall function of the lungs?

Total lung capacity Signup and view all the answers

Inspiratory reserve volume refers to the volume of inspired air from:

Tidal volume to maximal inspiration Signup and view all the answers

What is the volume of air that would remain if the lungs collapsed in men?

1200ml Signup and view all the answers

Which lung capacity represents the total volume of the lungs at the end of a maximal inspiration?

Total Lung Capacity (TLC) Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum volume of air that can be inspired in addition to a normal tidal inspiration in women?

1900ml Signup and view all the answers

What is the volume of air exhaled in addition to a normal tidal expiration in women?

1100ml Signup and view all the answers

Which volume of air remains in the lungs at the end of a normal tidal expiration in women?

1800ml Signup and view all the answers

What is the total volume of air that can be inspired and expired in a single breath in men?

4600ml Signup and view all the answers