Respiratory System Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which structure is NOT part of the upper respiratory tract?

Paranasal sinuses

Nasal cavity

Larynx

Trachea (correct)

What is the primary function of the conducting zone?

Airflow passage (correct)

Gas exchange

Humidification of air

Filtration of air

Which of the following structures is found in the lower respiratory tract?

Larynx

Pharynx

Bronchi (correct)

Nasal cavity

Where does all incoming air ultimately stop in the respiratory system?

Alveoli Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is involved in airflow but does not participate in gas exchange?

Bronchi Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic that differentiates the right main bronchus from the left main bronchus?

It is wider and more vertical. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the lung contains the cardiac impression?

Left lung Signup and view all the answers

What structures are included in the root of the lung?

Main bronchus, blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of terminal bronchioles?

Conducting air to the alveoli Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cells are primarily responsible for the gas exchange in alveoli?

Type I squamous alveolar cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pleural fluid in the pleural cavity?

Acts as a lubricant during lung expansion and contraction Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes lobar bronchi from segmental bronchi?

Lobar bronchi serve a specific lobe of the lung, while segmental bronchi serve subdivisions of the lobes. Signup and view all the answers

Which structure marks the entry point for blood vessels and nerves into the lung?

Hilum Signup and view all the answers

How many lobes does the left lung have?

Two lobes Signup and view all the answers

What is the diameter of terminal bronchioles?

0.5 mm or less Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the larynx?

To keep food and drink out of the airway Signup and view all the answers

Which structures are responsible for detecting odors within the nasal cavity?

Olfactory epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Where does the nasal cavity open into the nasopharynx?

At the choanae Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the pharynx is located above the soft palate?

Nasopharynx Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the erectile tissue in the nasal cavity?

To restrict airflow and shift it between nasal fossae Signup and view all the answers

Which structures form the nasal septum?

Bone and hyaline cartilage Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium lines the vestibule of the nasal cavity?

Stratified squamous epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of the mucus produced in the nasal cavity?

To detect odors Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical structure guards the superior opening of the larynx?

Epiglottis Signup and view all the answers

How many paired cartilages are found in the laryngeal framework?

Three Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following passages serves as a narrow air channel beneath the nasal conchae?

Meatus Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the pharynx is associated with the oral cavity?

Oropharynx Signup and view all the answers

How does the trachealis muscle affect airflow?

It contracts or relaxes to adjust airflow Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium comprises the respiratory epithelium in the nasal cavity?

Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Respiratory Anatomy

The respiratory system functions as an air distributor and gas exchanger, filtering, warming, and humidifying air. It influences speech and sense of smell.

Anatomical Division

Upper respiratory tract (head and neck):
- Nasal cavity and nose
- Paranasal sinuses
- Pharynx
- Larynx
Lower respiratory tract (thorax):
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Lungs

Functional Division

Conducting zone: Passages that serve only for airflow
- No gas exchange
- From nostrils to major bronchioles
Respiratory zone: Alveoli and other minimal gas exchange regions

The Upper Respiratory Tract

Nasal cavity:
- From nostrils (nares)
- To choanae (posterior region, opening to nasopharynx).
- Includes nasal septum, nostrils (external nares), sphenoid bone, vomer, and palatine bone; nasal cavity is divided into nasal fossae, each lined with respiratory epithelium that has goblet cells to produce mucus. Vibrissae (stiff hairs) block debris to help filter air.
Paranasal sinuses: Air-filled spaces in the skull bones surrounding the nasal cavity adding resonance to voice.
Pharynx: Muscular tube extending from choanae to larynx; divided into three parts: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
Larynx (voice box): Cartilaginous chamber approximately 4cm long; primarily keeps food and drink out of the airway; evolved additional role of phonation (production of sound) in animals
- Epiglottis: Flap guarding superior opening of larynx.
- Thyroid cartilage: Largest cartilage; shaped like shield. Laryngeal prominence ("Adam's apple") is formed from thyroid cartilage.
- Cricoid cartilage: Ring-like cartilage connecting larynx to trachea.
- Arytenoid cartilages: Paired cartilages behind thyroid cartilage.
- Corniculate cartilages: Small, paired cartilages on top of arytenoid cartilages.
- Cuneiform cartilages: Support soft tissue between arytenoid and epiglottis.

The Nasal Cavity

Roof: Ethmoid and sphenoid bones
Floor: Hard palate, maxilla, and palatine bones
Nasal conchae: Superior, middle, and inferior nasal conchae projecting from lateral walls; create meatus for airflow. Nasal conchae contain erectile tissue, or swell body; venous plexus in inferior concha restricts airflow in one fossa while directing air through other, and this process occurs every 30 to 60 minutes which helps recover from drying.
Nasal mucosa:
- Epithelial layer: Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells.
- Goblet cells: Produce mucus.
- Cilia: Propel mucus toward pharynx (swallowed).
Olfactory epithelium: Sensory neurons detecting odors; in small area of nasal cavity roof.

The Pharynx

Muscular funnel from choanae to larynx
Three regions:
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx

The Larynx

Cartilaginous chamber; maintains airway; keeps food out of airway. It is involved in voice production.
Cartilages: Epiglottic, Thyroid, Cricoid, Arytenoid, Corniculate, Cuneiform

The Lower Respiratory Tract

Trachea: Rigid tube; 12 cm long and 2.5cm wide; anterior to esophagus, made of hyaline cartilage rings; trachealis muscle adjusts airflow;
Main bronchi: Trachea branches into right and left main bronchi at level of sternal angle; right bronchus is wider and more vertical; carina is internal ridge at trachea fork.
Bronchial tree: Branching system of air tubes from main bronchus to 65,000 terminal bronchioles; each branch is narrower. The right bronchus is wider and more vertical for easier foreign body inhalation in that side. The left bronchus is longer, thinner, and more angled.
Bronchioles: Smallest branches of bronchial tree; 1mm or less in diameter; pulmonary lobule: portion of lung ventilated by one bronchiole; divides into 50 to 80 terminal bronchioles

Alveoli

Numerous tiny air sacs in lungs; ~150 million in each lung; 70m2 surface area for gas exchange
Alveolar cells: Squamous (type I), Great (type II), alveolar macrophages
Respiratory membrane: Thin barrier between alveolar air and blood
Capillaries surrounding alveoli.

The Pleurae

Serous membrane surrounding lungs
Visceral pleura: Inner layer covering lungs
Parietal pleura: Outer layer lining thoracic cavity
Pleural cavity: Potential space between visceral and parietal pleura containing pleural fluid (reducing friction).

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Description

Test your knowledge on the respiratory system with this quiz that covers both the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Questions explore the functions of various structures and the overall respiratory process. Ideal for students studying human biology or anatomy.