Respiratory System Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the mucus in the trachea?

  • To facilitate gas exchange
  • To support tracheal structure
  • To trap particles and pathogens (correct)
  • To maintain airway pressure

    • What structural feature allows the oesophagus to expand during swallowing?

  • C-shaped cartilages (correct)
  • Elastic tissue
  • Smooth muscle fibers
  • Fibrous connective tissue

    • Which layer of pleura is directly attached to the surface of the lungs?

  • Pleural cavity
  • Parietal pleura
  • Mucous membrane
  • Visceral pleura (correct)

    • What happens to the gas exchange process in smokers?

    <p>It becomes more difficult (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which muscles are primarily responsible for the movement of the ribs during respiration?

    <p>Intercostal muscles (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where does the gas exchange occur in the lungs?

    <p>Alveoli (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of epithelium lines the alveoli?

    <p>Simple squamous epithelium (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main role of the diaphragm during respiration?

    <p>To change thoracic volume (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of external respiration?

    <p>Gas exchange between blood capillaries and air sacs of the lung (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organ is NOT considered part of the Upper Respiratory Tract?

    <p>Trachea (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do the vocal cords play in the respiratory system?

    <p>Produce sound when air passes over them (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which muscle is primarily responsible for inhalation during breathing?

    <p>Diaphragm (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does cellular respiration primarily involve?

    <p>Breakdown of glucose to release energy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the epiglottis during swallowing?

    <p>Closes to prevent food from entering the trachea (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component is NOT a structure associated with the respiratory system?

    <p>Heart (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where does internal respiration occur?

    <p>Between blood capillaries and body cells (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the diaphragm during inspiration?

    <p>It contracts and moves downwards. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the tidal volume during normal breathing?

    <p>1/2 liter (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors does NOT affect the diffusing capacity (DLCO or TLCO)?

    <p>Duration of breathing (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism controlling breathing rate?

    <p>Neural control (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At sea level, what is the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2)?

    <p>159 mmHg (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of oxygen transport is carried out by hemoglobin?

    <p>97% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of muscle contraction allows for some voluntary control over breathing?

    <p>Skeletal muscle contraction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens during expiration?

    <p>The diaphragm relaxes and moves upwards. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    External respiration

    The exchange of gases between the blood vessels of the lungs and the tiny air sacs in the lungs.

    Internal respiration

    The exchange of gases between the blood vessels of the body and the cells of the body.

    Cellular respiration

    The breakdown of nutrients like glucose within the cell to release energy for the body to use.

    Inspiration

    The process of drawing air into the lungs.

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    Expiration

    The process of expelling air from the lungs.

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    Upper Respiratory Tract (URT)

    The upper part of the respiratory system, including the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx. It filters and warms incoming air.

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    Lower Respiratory Tract (LRT)

    The lower part of the respiratory system, which includes the trachea, bronchi, and lungs. It carries air to the lungs.

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    Trachea

    This is the windpipe, connecting the throat to the lungs. It is kept open by cartilage.

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    Partial Pressure (P)

    The pressure exerted by a single gas in a mixture of gases.

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    Barometric Pressure (PB)

    The total atmospheric pressure at sea level (approximately 760 mmHg or 101.3 KPa).

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    Ventilation (breathing)

    The process of air moving in and out of the lungs, involving inspiration (breathing in) and expiration (breathing out).

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    Tidal Volume

    The volume of air inhaled or exhaled with each normal breath.

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    Gas Diffusion

    The movement of gases across the thin barrier between the alveoli (air sacs) and the capillaries in the lungs.

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    Diffusing Capacity (DLCO or TLCO)

    The ability of the lungs to transfer oxygen (O2) from the alveoli to the blood.

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    What is the function of the C-shaped cartilage rings in the trachea?

    The trachea is the windpipe, a tube that carries air to and from the lungs. It is made up of C-shaped rings of cartilage to maintain its shape and allow flexibility.

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    How does the trachea protect the lungs from harmful particles?

    The inner lining of the trachea is covered in mucus to trap dust and debris. The cilia, small hair-like structures, sweep the mucus up and out of the respiratory system, preventing infection.

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    How does air travel from the trachea to the alveoli?

    The trachea branches into two main bronchi, one for each lung. These bronchi further divide into smaller and smaller tubes called bronchioles, leading to the alveoli.

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    What are the alveoli and what happens there?

    The alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen from the inhaled air diffuses into the blood, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled.

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    How does the diaphragm affect breathing?

    The diaphragm is a large muscle that contracts and relaxes to help with breathing. When it contracts, the chest cavity expands, drawing air into the lungs. When it relaxes, the chest cavity shrinks, pushing air out of the lungs.

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    What protects the lungs and how do they work?

    The lungs are protected by the ribcage and the intercostal muscles. The intercostal muscles help move the ribs, expanding and shrinking the chest cavity to assist with breathing.

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    What are the pleura and what is their function?

    The visceral pleura is a membrane that covers the surface of the lungs. The parietal pleura lines the chest cavity. Between these layers is a thin layer of fluid that lubricates the lungs during breathing, allowing them to move smoothly within the chest cavity.

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    How does smoking affect the respiratory system?

    Smoking leads to the accumulation of tar in the airways, damaging the cilia and making it difficult for them to remove mucus and debris. This can lead to irritation, inflammation, and increased risk of respiratory diseases like bronchitis and lung cancer.

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    Study Notes

    Respiratory System Overview

    • The respiratory system facilitates gas exchange, taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.
    • It comprises a network of tubes, filtering and transporting air to microscopic alveoli for gas exchange.

    Respiratory System Objectives

    • Define external (pulmonary), internal (tissue), and cellular respiration.
    • Identify and describe the function of each organ in the respiratory system.
    • Detail the mechanisms of inspiration and expiration, with a focus on the role of respiratory muscles.

    Respiration Definitions

    • External Respiration: Gas exchange between blood capillaries and air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs.
    • Internal Respiration: Gas exchange between blood capillaries and body cells.
    • Cellular Respiration: The breakdown of organic molecules (usually glucose) within cells to release energy.

    Respiratory System Structures

    • Upper Respiratory Tract (URT): Includes the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx (throat). The nose and nasal cavity filter, warm, and humidify the air. The pharynx is a common passageway for air and food.
    • Lower Respiratory Tract (LRT): Consists of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
      • Trachea: A tube supported by cartilaginous rings, preventing collapse and allowing the esophagus to expand during swallowing. Lined with a mucous membrane containing ciliated epithelium to trap and remove foreign particles.
      • Bronchi: Branching tubes that deliver air deeper into the lungs, and further divide into smaller tubes called bronchioles.
      • Lungs: Spongy, cone-shaped organs enclosed by the diaphragm and thoracic cage. They house the alveoli (air sacs) where gas exchange occurs.
      • Alveoli: Microscopic air sacs in the lungs with thin walls of simple squamous epithelium, a rich network of capillaries, facilitating efficient gas exchange.
      • Diaphragm, ribs & intercostal muscles: The diaphragm contracts and pulls downward, while the intercostal muscles raise the ribs, expanding the chest cavity and creating negative pressure, drawing air into the lungs.

    Structures of the Nose and Mouth

    • The nose and nasal cavity are supported by bone and cartilage, providing an entrance for air.
    • The nasal passages are lined with mucous membrane containing fine hairs that filter the air, warming it and making it moist.
    • The hard and soft palate separate the nasal passage from the oral cavity and food, diverting air from the food passage.

    The Air Passages and Associated Structures

    • Larynx: A cartilaginous structure supporting the trachea and preventing foreign particles from entering the trachea. Houses the vocal cords for sound production.
    • Trachea: Main airway; keeps open via C-shaped cartilage rings; lined with mucous membrane with cilia to remove debris.

    The Lungs

    • The lungs are spongy, cone-shaped organs that occupy most of the thoracic cavity.
    • They are separated medially by the mediastinum, and enclosed by the diaphragm and thoracic cage.
    • There's visceral pleura surrounding the lungs, and the parietal pleura lining the thoracic cavity. The pleural layers create a lubricating fluid.
    • In smokers, tar in the airways can irritate the lungs, leading to difficulty in gas exchange.

    Microscopic Structure of the Lungs

    • Bronchi continually divide to form bronchioles that feed into alveolar ducts ending in alveoli.
    • Alveoli contain a rich supply of capillaries to facilitate oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange.
    • Oxygen diffuses from alveoli to blood and carbon dioxide from the blood to alveoli.

    Diaphragm, Ribs and Intercostal Muscles

    • Diaphragm: Dome-shaped sheet of muscle that plays a key role in breathing by contracting and relaxing to change the volume of the thoracic cavity.
    • Ribs: Protect the heart and lungs; raising and lowering of the ribcage by intercostal muscles aids breathing.

    Breathing Rate

    • Breathing rate is primarily controlled by the brain and is involuntary.
    • During and after exercise, breathing increases to remove more carbon dioxide expelled from the bloodstream.
    • Some voluntary control of breathing is possible.
    • Breathing rate varies by age.

    Gas Transport and Diffusion

    • Partial Pressure: Pressure exerted by a gas in a mixture of gases (e.g., atmospheric gases). At sea level, atmospheric pressure is 760 mmHg.
    • Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Diffusion based on the partial pressure differences in Alveoli, blood and tissues.
    • Gas exchange happens due to the difference of partial pressures across the alveolar-capillary membrane. Oxygen moves from alveoli to blood into hemoglobin, while carbon dioxide moves from blood to alveoli.

    Mechanisms of Breathing

    • Inspiration: Inhalation, involving contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, expanding the thoracic cavity decreasing the internal air pressure to pull air into the lungs.
    • Expiration: Exhalation, through relaxation of these muscles allowing the ribs to descend and the diaphragm to rise, decreasing the thoracic cavity volume increasing air pressure forcing air out.

    Oxygen Transport

    • Oxygen is primarily transported by hemoglobin. (97%)

    Carbon Dioxide Transport

    • Most carbon dioxide is transported as bicarbonate ions.

    Control Mechanisms

    • Neural (Nerve): Brain stem regulates breathing patterns through neural pathways.
    • Chemical: Peripheral and central chemoreceptors sensitive (especially Central chemoreceptors) to changes in blood pH, and CO2 concentration.
    • Intra-pulmonary (Lung): Stretch receptors and other receptors in the lungs send afferent information to the brain to fine-tune the breathing process.

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    Related Documents

    FMD002 Respiratory Lecture PDF

    Description

    Explore the intricacies of the respiratory system, including the processes of gas exchange and the functions of key organs. This quiz covers the definitions of respiration types and the mechanisms involved in breathing. Test your knowledge on the structure and function of this vital system.

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