Vías Aéreas Superiores

Vías Aéreas Superiores

• Boca: Oral cavity.
• Fosas Nasales: Nasal cavities, located in the center of the face, connecting to the exterior via nostrils. Their function is to warm, filter, and humidify inhaled air. Composed of nostrils, vestibule, nasal cavity, nasal septum, and superior, middle, and inferior nasal conchae.
• Bulbos Olfatorios: Nerve structures located in the upper nasal passages. Detect odors, which are then processed in the brain's hippocampus.
• Senos Paranasales: Hollow cavities within the maxilla, frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid bones, opening into the nasal cavity through meatus. They filter, warm, and humidify air.
• Nasofaringe (Cavum): Uppermost part of the pharynx, located behind the nasal passages. Connects to the Eustachian tubes (connecting the ear to the pharynx). Involved in respiration, and phonation.
• Faringe: Muscular tube connecting the mouth to the esophagus, aiding in both respiration and speech. Extends from the base of the skull to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage (C6).

Vías Aéreas Inferiores

• Laringe: Cone-shaped organ between the trachea and pharynx. Composed of five main cartilages; the largest, the thyroid cartilage, forms the Adam's apple. Its function is to direct air to the trachea, protect the lower airways, and permit phonation (speech).

• Cuerdas Vocales: Membranous folds responsible for voice production. Their vibration, adjusted by laryngeal muscles, creates sound.

• Verdaderas: Lower vocal cords, actively involved in sound production.

• Falsas: Upper vocal folds, not involved in sound production.

• Tráquea: Semi-rigid tube extending from the cricoid cartilage to its bifurcation (carina) at the fourth thoracic vertebra. It provides an open airway to and from alveoli. It has cartilaginous rings to ensure structural support.

• Bronquios: Two (right and left) tubular, fibrocartilaginous tubes branching off the trachea. They direct air into the bronchioles and alveoli. Their walls contain cartilage and muscles.

• Bronquiolos: Smaller branches of bronchi that lack cartilage, containing more smooth muscles.

Parte Respiratoria

• Alveolos: Sack-like structures at the terminal ends of the respiratory tree where gas exchange occurs. Their walls consist of type 1 pneumocytes (for gas exchange) and type 2 pneumocytes (which produce surfactant, lessening alveolar tension).
• Pulmones: Spongy, cone-shaped organs located within the thoracic cavity. They are separated by the mediastinum. The lungs contain bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, blood vessels, and nerves. They are covered by pleura.
• Caja Torácica (Tórax): Bony cage composed of the spine, ribs, sternum, and diaphragm. Provides structure for respiration.
• Diafragma: Major muscle of respiration, separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities.
• Pleura: Serous membrane covering the lungs, the inner surface of the rib cage, and the diaphragm. Its two components are visceral (lung side) and parietal (thorax side).
• Cavidad Pleural: A potential space between visceral and parietal pleura containing a fluid layer which reduces friction during breathing.

Función

• Función general del Sistema Respiratorio: Capturing oxygen from the air, transporting it into the bloodstream, and expelling carbon dioxide.
• Intercambio gaseoso: Ensuring the exchange of gases between air and blood.
• Metabolismo ácido/base: Influencing the balance between acid and base.

Este cuestionario aborda las vías aéreas superiores, incluyendo la boca, fosas nasales, bulbos olfatorios, senos paranasales, nasofaringe y faringe. Explora las estructuras y funciones de cada componente en el proceso de respiración y detección de olores. Ideal para estudiantes de anatomía y fisiología.