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Questions and Answers
At the end of the smallest bronchioles, which structures facilitate gas exchange?
At the end of the smallest bronchioles, which structures facilitate gas exchange?
What happens to the chest wall diameter during inspiration?
What happens to the chest wall diameter during inspiration?
Which muscle is primarily involved in forced expiration?
Which muscle is primarily involved in forced expiration?
Which of the following processes takes place at the alveoli?
Which of the following processes takes place at the alveoli?
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What effect do the external intercostal muscles have on breathing?
What effect do the external intercostal muscles have on breathing?
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What is the main role of the scalene muscles during breathing?
What is the main role of the scalene muscles during breathing?
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Which statement accurately describes the role of alveoli?
Which statement accurately describes the role of alveoli?
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What is the primary function of the upper respiratory structures?
What is the primary function of the upper respiratory structures?
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How does the upper respiratory system protect the lower respiratory tract?
How does the upper respiratory system protect the lower respiratory tract?
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During forced expiration, which muscle group is specifically engaged?
During forced expiration, which muscle group is specifically engaged?
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What does the upper respiratory tract do to the air before it reaches the lungs?
What does the upper respiratory tract do to the air before it reaches the lungs?
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At what humidity level is the air moistened before entering the lungs?
At what humidity level is the air moistened before entering the lungs?
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What is one of the key functions of the nose in the upper respiratory system?
What is one of the key functions of the nose in the upper respiratory system?
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What is the normal range for pulmonary systolic arterial pressure?
What is the normal range for pulmonary systolic arterial pressure?
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How does inspired air change before entering the alveoli?
How does inspired air change before entering the alveoli?
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What primarily affects oxygen content in the blood?
What primarily affects oxygen content in the blood?
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What is the typical amount of oxygen that travels to tissues in a normal adult per minute?
What is the typical amount of oxygen that travels to tissues in a normal adult per minute?
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How is carbon dioxide transported in red blood cells?
How is carbon dioxide transported in red blood cells?
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Which statement accurately describes oxygen saturation (SaO2)?
Which statement accurately describes oxygen saturation (SaO2)?
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What happens to bicarbonate ions (HCO3) in the bloodstream?
What happens to bicarbonate ions (HCO3) in the bloodstream?
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What is the typical arterial oxygen concentration in blood?
What is the typical arterial oxygen concentration in blood?
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What is the normal respiratory rate for adults and teenagers?
What is the normal respiratory rate for adults and teenagers?
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What is tachypnea commonly associated with?
What is tachypnea commonly associated with?
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How many breaths per minute is considered normal for neonates?
How many breaths per minute is considered normal for neonates?
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What respiratory pattern indicates bradypnea?
What respiratory pattern indicates bradypnea?
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What physiological change occurs with every degree Fahrenheit increase in body temperature?
What physiological change occurs with every degree Fahrenheit increase in body temperature?
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What should be noted when assessing a breathing pattern?
What should be noted when assessing a breathing pattern?
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Which condition is most likely to lead to tachypnea?
Which condition is most likely to lead to tachypnea?
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What is an indication of irregular breathing patterns?
What is an indication of irregular breathing patterns?
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What occurs if the turbinates are injured due to their rich blood supply?
What occurs if the turbinates are injured due to their rich blood supply?
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Which part of the pharynx is located behind the nose?
Which part of the pharynx is located behind the nose?
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What function do the sinuses NOT perform?
What function do the sinuses NOT perform?
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What is the primary role of the pharynx?
What is the primary role of the pharynx?
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Which sinus is NOT located in the facial region?
Which sinus is NOT located in the facial region?
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Which component of the nasal anatomy serves as a division between vestibule and nasal cavity?
Which component of the nasal anatomy serves as a division between vestibule and nasal cavity?
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What structural characteristic defines the pharynx?
What structural characteristic defines the pharynx?
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What is the primary benefit of the sinus structure in relation to the skull?
What is the primary benefit of the sinus structure in relation to the skull?
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Study Notes
Upper Respiratory Tract Structures and Functions
-
Nose:
- Conducts air to the lower respiratory tract
- Filters air to protect the lower respiratory tract (LRT) from foreign bodies
- Warms air to body temperature
- Humidifies air to approximately 70-80% humidity
- Contains turbinates, rich in blood supply, responsible for nasal bleeding (epistaxis) if injured
-
Pharynx (Throat):
- Funnel-shaped passageway extending from the base of the skull to the sixth cervical vertebra.
- Serves both the respiratory and digestive systems.
- Receives air from the nasal cavity and air, food, and water from the oral cavity.
- Divided into three parts:
- Nasopharynx: Upper part of the throat, located behind the nose, serves as a respiratory zone.
- Oropharynx: Middle part of the throat, located behind the mouth.
- Laryngopharynx: Lower part of the throat, located behind the larynx, serves as a connection for both respiratory and digestive systems.
Respiratory Muscles
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Intercostal Muscles:
- Internal: Used in forced expiration and coughing, decreasing the diameter of the chest wall.
- External: Used in inspiration, increasing the diameter of the chest wall.
-
Pectoralis Major and Minor:
- Used in forced expiration and coughing, increasing the work of breathing.
-
Rectus Abdominis:
- Used in forced expiration and coughing.
-
Scalene Muscles:
- Stabilize the upper chest wall.
- Elevate the first and second ribs during inspiration, increasing the size of the thorax.
-
Sternocleidomastoid Muscles:
- Stabilize the upper chest wall.
- Contribute to increasing the size of the thorax.
Gas Exchange and Oxygen Content
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Alveoli: Small hollow sacs at the end of bronchioles, the site of gas exchange.
- Oxygen moves from the air, while carbon dioxide and water pass out of the blood.
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Oxygen Content: Total amount of oxygen in blood is determined by oxygen bound to hemoglobin plus dissolved oxygen in plasma.
- SaO2 (Oxygen Saturation): Important index of oxygen content.
- Hemoglobin (Hgb) and PaO2 (partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood): Affect values of oxygen content.
- Arterial Oxygen: 20 ml/dl of blood.
- Mixed Oxygen: 15 ml/dl of blood.
Oxygen Delivery (DO2)
- DO2: Amount of oxygen transported to tissues determined by oxygen content and cardiac output.
- In a normal adult, 1000 ml of oxygen travels per minute through arteries to tissues.
- 775 ml returns to the right side of the heart and lungs.
Carbon Dioxide Transport
- Carbon dioxide diffuses into red blood cells and is quickly hydrated into carbonic acid (H2CO2) due to carbonic anhydrase.
- Carbonic acid dissociates into hydrogen (H+) and bicarbonate (HCO3-) ions.
- Bicarbonate ions diffuse into plasma.
Respiratory Patterns
-
Normal Respiration: Rhythmical breathing pattern, with occasional deep breaths.
- Adults and teenagers: 12-20 breaths per minute.
- Neonates: 30-50 breaths per minute.
-
Tachypnea: Increased respiratory rate, observed in:
- Fever, pneumonia, compensatory respiratory alkalosis, respiratory insufficiency, brain lesions affecting respiratory control center, and aspirin poisoning.
- Respiratory rate increases about 4 breaths per minute for every degree Fahrenheit above normal.
- Bradypnea: Slower but regular respirations.
Pulmonary Artery Pressure
- Pulmonary systolic arterial pressure is between 20 and 30 mmHg.
- Pulmonary diastolic pressure is less than 12 mmHg.
- Pulmonary mean pressure is less than 20 mmHg.
Partial Pressure Changes
- Air entering alveoli mixes with gas that wasn't exhaled in the previous breath.
- This gas contains more CO2 and less O2 than inspired air, causing partial pressure changes.
- The air that ultimately enters the alveoli for diffusion across the respiratory membrane undergoes further partial pressure changes.
- However, it remains high in partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) and low in partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2).
Gas Diffusion
- Differences in partial pressures of O2 and CO2 cause them to cross the respiratory membrane towards the lower side of their respective pressure gradients.
- Oxygen diffuses into the blood, and CO2 diffuses outward, equalizing gas pressures on both sides of the respiratory membrane.
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Description
Explore the essential structures and functions of the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and pharynx. Understand how these components work together to filter, warm, and humidify air before it reaches the lower respiratory system. This quiz will enhance your knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system.
