The Respiratory System Quiz

Study Notes

The Respiratory System

Composed of organs facilitating gas exchange between the atmosphere and blood: nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Respiration Process

Involves overall gas exchange between the atmosphere, blood, and body cells.
Air enters through the nose or mouth, with nasal breathing providing filtering, humidifying, and warming benefits.

Basic Processes of Respiration

Inhalation: Movement of air into the lungs (inspiration).
Exhalation: Process of expelling air from the lungs.
External Respiration: Gas exchange occurs between the lungs and blood.
Internal Respiration: Gas transfer between blood and body cells.

Anatomical Structures and Functions

Nose*
External and internal structures; external nose supported by cartilage and bone.
Internal nose merges with external nostrils and connects to the pharynx via internal nares.
Nasal bone forms the bridge of the nose.
Nostril (external nares): Two openings at the under-surface of the external nose.
Nasolacrimal ducts: Drain tears from the lacrimal sacs into the nose.
Four Paranasal Sinuses: Sphenoidal, frontal, ethmoidal, and maxillary.
Nasal cavities divided by the nasal septum; septum made of cartilage with the top formed by the ethmoid bone and the bottom by the vomer bone.
Vestibule: Anterior nasal cavity lined with coarse hairs acting as the first defense against particles.
Pharynx*
Approx. 5 inches in length; connects internal nares to the neck and serves as a passageway for air and food.
Commonly referred to as the throat; divided into nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
Only one opening (fauces) connects to the mouth; contains palatine and lingual tonsils.
Larynx*
Contains folds of mucous membrane which aid in sound production and airway protection.
Trachea*
Known as the windpipe; approximately 4.5 inches long and 1 cm in diameter.
Located anterior to the esophagus; extends from the cricoid cartilage of the larynx to the fifth thoracic vertebra where it bifurcates into the primary bronchi.
Bronchi*
Feature incomplete rings of hyaline cartilage; lined with pseudostratified, ciliated columnar epithelium.
Primary Bronchi: Right and left bronchi leading to respective lungs.
Secondary (lobar) Bronchi: Branch from primary bronchi; one for each lung lobe.
Tertiary (segmental) Bronchi: Further divide from secondary bronchi, leading to lung segments.
Bronchioles: Smaller branches of tertiary bronchi.
Terminal Bronchioles: Smaller branches of bronchioles.
Bronchial Tree: Continuous branching of the trachea resembling a tree structure.
Lungs*
Paired, cone-shaped organs filling pleural divisions of the thoracic cavity.
Right Lung: Shorter due to higher diaphragm position and liver location.
Left Lung: Slightly smaller than the right due to space for the heart.
Pleural Membrane: Serous membrane enfolding each lung; includes parietal pleura (outer) and visceral pleura (inner).

The Respiration Process

Primary goal is to supply oxygen to body cells and eliminate carbon dioxide.
Terminologies:
- Tidal Volume: Amount of air inhaled and exhaled in one normal breath.
- Respiratory Rate: Number of breaths taken per minute.
- Minute Volume: The total volume of air breathed in one minute.
- Vital Capacity: Maximal air volume exhaled after taking a deep breath.