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Questions and Answers
What function does the respiratory system primarily serve?
What function does the respiratory system primarily serve?
Which part of the respiratory system is NOT classified as part of the upper respiratory system?
Which part of the respiratory system is NOT classified as part of the upper respiratory system?
Which structure is responsible for partitioning the nasal cavity from the oral cavity?
Which structure is responsible for partitioning the nasal cavity from the oral cavity?
What is the role of nasal hairs in the respiratory system?
What is the role of nasal hairs in the respiratory system?
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Which of the following components does NOT belong to the lower respiratory system?
Which of the following components does NOT belong to the lower respiratory system?
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What is the primary function of the nasal cavity's mucosa?
What is the primary function of the nasal cavity's mucosa?
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Which structure is responsible for separating the nasal and oral cavities?
Which structure is responsible for separating the nasal and oral cavities?
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What role does the pharynx play in the respiratory system?
What role does the pharynx play in the respiratory system?
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Where is the nasopharynx located in relation to the soft palate?
Where is the nasopharynx located in relation to the soft palate?
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Which part of the throat is immediately behind the nasal cavity?
Which part of the throat is immediately behind the nasal cavity?
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What is a significant role of the rich blood supply in the nasal cavity?
What is a significant role of the rich blood supply in the nasal cavity?
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What is the primary function of adenoid tissue located in the nasopharynx?
What is the primary function of adenoid tissue located in the nasopharynx?
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Which structure contributes significantly to the sensation of taste?
Which structure contributes significantly to the sensation of taste?
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What is the primary function of the oropharynx?
What is the primary function of the oropharynx?
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Which structure prevents food from entering the lungs during swallowing?
Which structure prevents food from entering the lungs during swallowing?
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What type of cartilage is found in the thyroid cartilage?
What type of cartilage is found in the thyroid cartilage?
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Which of the following correctly describes the bronchioles?
Which of the following correctly describes the bronchioles?
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What characteristic do cilia in the bronchioles exhibit?
What characteristic do cilia in the bronchioles exhibit?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the bronchial tree?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the bronchial tree?
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During which respiratory function does the larynx primarily play a role?
During which respiratory function does the larynx primarily play a role?
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How do the characteristics of the bronchioles change as they progress deeper into the lungs?
How do the characteristics of the bronchioles change as they progress deeper into the lungs?
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What is the primary function of the alveoli in the lungs?
What is the primary function of the alveoli in the lungs?
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Which part of the lung anatomy is responsible for separating the right lung's lobes?
Which part of the lung anatomy is responsible for separating the right lung's lobes?
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What is the role of the pleural cavity?
What is the role of the pleural cavity?
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How does oxygen enter the bloodstream from the alveoli?
How does oxygen enter the bloodstream from the alveoli?
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What is the significance of the cardiac notch in the lungs?
What is the significance of the cardiac notch in the lungs?
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Which type of blood is primarily supplied to the lungs for gas exchange?
Which type of blood is primarily supplied to the lungs for gas exchange?
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What is one function of the innervation of the lungs by the nervous system?
What is one function of the innervation of the lungs by the nervous system?
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What separates each bronchopulmonary segment within the lungs?
What separates each bronchopulmonary segment within the lungs?
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What is the primary function of the pulmonary artery?
What is the primary function of the pulmonary artery?
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What structure forms the respiratory membrane in the lungs?
What structure forms the respiratory membrane in the lungs?
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Which intercostal muscles contract during inhalation?
Which intercostal muscles contract during inhalation?
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What is the position of the left hilum compared to the right hilum?
What is the position of the left hilum compared to the right hilum?
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How many layers of intercostal muscles assist in the breathing process?
How many layers of intercostal muscles assist in the breathing process?
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What role does the diaphragm play during inhalation?
What role does the diaphragm play during inhalation?
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Which ribs are connected to the sternum by costal cartilage?
Which ribs are connected to the sternum by costal cartilage?
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What is the role of the intercostal arteries?
What is the role of the intercostal arteries?
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Study Notes
The Respiratory System
- Breathing equipment: the respiratory system facilitates the inhale and exhale of gases, which circulate around body tissues and cells, removing excess and waste.
- Oxygen is essential for the body, likened to "food".
- Respiration involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the body cells. This includes inspiration, expiration, diffusion of oxygen from the pulmonary alveoli to the blood and carbon dioxide from the blood to the alveoli, and transport of oxygen to, and carbon dioxide from, the body cells.
Respiratory System Components
- Upper Respiratory System: Includes the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, and trachea.
- Lower Respiratory System: Includes the bronchi/bronchioles, lungs, pleura, diaphragm, ribs, and intercostal muscles.
The Nose and Nasal Cavity
- The only visible part of the respiratory system.
- The nasal cavity is divided into two by the nasal septum (hyaline cartilage).
- The palate separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity.
- Functions of the nose and nasal hairs:
- Traps particles and dust: mucus adheres to particles and dust.
- Warms and humidifies air: Air travels over moist mucosa and becomes saturated with water.
- Filtering and cleaning: cilia remove debris and microbes.
- The nasal cavity is richly supplied with blood.
- The olfactory nerve is responsible for the sense of smell within the nasal cavity.
- The nasal cavity warms or cools air to within 1 degree of body temperature.
The Palates
- Hard palate: forms the floor of the nasal cavity, separating the nasal and oral cavities.
- Soft palate: extends posterior to the hard palate, dividing the nasopharynx from the oropharynx.
The Pharynx
- The part of the throat situated immediately behind the nasal cavity.
- Behind the mouth, above the oesophagus and larynx.
- Important for vocalization.
- Functions:
- Transfers food from the mouth to the oesophagus.
- Warms, moistens, and filters air before it moves into the trachea.
- The pharynx is part of both the digestive and respiratory systems.
Pharynx Sections
-
Nasopharynx: connects the nose to the mouth, allowing breathing through the nose.
- Contains adenoid tissue (fights infection) and the openings to the Eustachian tubes (lead to the ears).
- Major drainage path for lymphatic fluids.
- Oropharynx: accepts air from the nasopharynx and passes it to the laryngeal pharynx. It also accepts food from the mouth and passes it to the oesophagus
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Laryngopharynx: lined by stratified squamous epithelium
- passes food and air.
- During swallowing, the entry of air temporarily stops, allowing food to pass safely to the oesophagus.
- prevents food from entering the respiratory tract and choking the trachea.
Larynx
- Allows air to pass through while keeping food and drink out of the airway.
- The "voice box" as it contains the vocal folds.
- Consists of:
- Thyroid cartilage: (Adam's apple) – hyaline cartilage
- Cricoid cartilage: – hyaline cartilage
- Epiglottis: – elastic cartilage
Lower Respiratory Tract: Bronchi
-
Bronchi: conduct air into the lungs.
- Right and left bronchus branch into smaller secondary and tertiary branches.
- These further branch into smaller tubes known as bronchioles.
- No gas exchange takes place within the bronchi.
- Bronchi contain progressively less cartilage and more smooth muscle.
Bronchioles
- Contain no cartilage: smooth muscle dominates.
- Progressing down the bronchioles, the muscle and connective tissue begin to disappear, and a single layer of epithelial cells remains: alveoli.
- Function: deliver air to the network of millions of alveoli.
- Three types:
- Lobular: first passages that enter the lungs.
- Terminal: smaller passages in each lung.
- Respiratory: leading on from terminal branches, leading to alveolar ducts.
Cilia
- The lobular and terminal branches are considered "dead space" because no air exchange takes place in these passages.
- The bronchioles are tiny: 0.3 – 1 mm in diameter.
- The walls of the bronchioles are lined with finger-like projections called cilia.
- Cilia function to remove debris and microbes.
Alveoli
- Millions of alveoli: if stretched end to end, they would cover a tennis court!
- Air exchange takes place here.
- Once oxygen reaches the alveoli, it diffuses through a single cell in an alveolus, followed by a single cell in a capillary to enter the bloodstream.
- At the same time, carbon dioxide is released from the capillary to the alveoli and then exhaled.
Pleural Cavities and Membranes
- The pleural cavity is a fluid-filled space between the two pulmonary pleurae.
- The outer pleura (parietal) is attached to the chest (thoracic) wall.
- The inner pleura (visceral) covers the lungs and adjoining structures including blood vessels, bronchi, and nerves.
- The pleural cavity is considered a potential space because the two pleurae adhere to each other through a thin serous film (in normal conditions).
The Anatomy of the Lungs
- Divided into lobes separated by fissures:
- Right lung: 3 lobes (superior, middle, and inferior).
- Left lung: 2 lobes (superior and inferior).
-
Bronchopulmonary segment: a division of a lobe, each containing bronchopulmonary segments.
- Each segment receives air from its own tertiary bronchus and is supplied with blood by its own artery.
-
Pulmonary lobule: a subdivision formed as the bronchi branch into bronchioles.
- Each lobule receives its own bronchiole that has multiple alveolar ducts and alveoli.
- Cardiac notch: indentation on the left lung, allowing space for the heart.
Blood Supply to the Lungs
- Important for gas exchange and as a transport system for gases throughout the body.
- Innervation by the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system provides control over airway dilation and constriction.
- The primary function of the lungs is gaseous exchange.
- Deoxygenated blood travels to the lungs, where erythrocytes pick up oxygen to transport to body tissues
- The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood to the alveoli
- The pulmonary artery branches multiple times as it follows the bronchi, becoming smaller and smaller in diameter.
- One arteriole and one venule supply and drain one pulmonary lobule.
-
Alveoli:
- Capillary network: tiny vessels with very thin walls.
- Network branches and follows the bronchioles and the structure of the alveoli.
- Capillary wall meets the alveolar wall, creating the respiratory membrane.
- Oxygenated blood drains from the alveoli via multiple pulmonary veins.
The Hilum
- Wedge-shaped area on the central portion of each lung.
- Where bronchi, arteries, veins, and nerves enter and exit the lungs.
- Both right and left hila are similar in size, but the left hilum is usually slightly higher in the chest than the right.
- Difficult to visualize on chest x-rays; further tests such as a CT scan are required to determine problems in this area.
Intercostal Muscles
- Group of muscles situated in the ribs.
- Three layers assist in breathing:
- External: outside the ribs.
- Internal: between the ribs.
- Innermost: inside the ribs.
- Innervated by intercostal nerves and supplied by the intercostal artery and veins.
Thoracic (Rib) Cage
- Surrounds and protects the heart and lungs.
- 12 thoracic vertebrae, 24 ribs, and sternum.
- First 7 ribs are attached to the sternum by costal cartilage.
- The remaining 5 ribs:
- 3 have costal cartilage connected to the cartilage above.
- The last 2 (floating ribs) are connected by their cartilage to muscle in the abdominal wall.
Inspiration and Expiration
-
Inhalation (inspiration):
- Diaphragm relaxes, lungs expand.
- Innermost intercostal muscles relax, while external intercostal muscles contract, causing the chest cavity to expand.
-
Exhalation (expiration):
- Diaphragm contracts, lungs compress.
- External intercostal muscles relax, while internal intercostal muscles contract, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size.
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Description
Explore the anatomy and functions of the respiratory system, including the processes of breathing and gas exchange. This quiz covers both the upper and lower respiratory components, highlighting their roles in maintaining oxygen and carbon dioxide balance in the body.
