A &P

REVIEW

OF

THE

RESPIRAT

ORY SYS

TEM

Describe the principal functions of the

respiratory system.

1) Move air into and out of lungs (ventilation)

2) Allow diffusion of "respiratory gases" between air and blood (respiration)

Explain the ultimate physiologic purpose for obtaining oxygen from the air

production of ATP by the process of aerobic cellular respiration

Identify the other organ system with which the respiratory system works cooperatively in the exchange of respiratory gases (O2 and CO2) between the air and the body's tissues

Cardiovascular system

Define the three meanings of the term: respiration

1) External respiration - the exchange O2 and CO2 between the air and the blood in lungs

2) Internal respiration - the exchange of O2 and CO2 between the blood and the tissues (w/in systemic tissue)

3) Cellular respiration - the utilization of O2 and production of CO2 that occurs in the process of cellular metabolism

List other functions of the respiratory system

1) major component in the regulation of pH of blood and bodily fluids

2) contributes to the regulation of body temperature and fluid balance

3) production of speech sounds (phonation) for communication (speech, singing, laughter, etc.)

4) special sense of olfaction (CN I)

Identify the organs and structures that comprise the conducting portion of

the respiratory system and those that comprise the respiratory portion of the

respiratory system.

Conducting Portion - devoted to mvmt of air into and out of lungs- Nose- Pharynx- Larynx- Trachea- Bronchi- Terminal bronchioles

Respiratory Portion - site of gas exchange- Respiratory bronchioles- Alveoli

Identify the organs and structures that comprise

the upper respiratory tract and those that comprise the lower respiratory tract.

Upper respiratory tract- Nose- Pharynx- LarynxLower Respiratory tract-Trachea- Bronchi- Bronchioles- Alveoli

Describe the five functions of the nose.

- Warm, filter and humidify air before it reaches lungs (main function)- Detect odors-Provide resonance for amplification and shaping of vocal sounds in speech and singing- Serves as first line of defense against entry of airborne pathogens and allergens

Describe the structure of the nasal conchae (turbinates)

and explain how this structure accounts for the

function of these structures of the internal

nose

Structure - scroll-shaped bones that are lined with mucous membraneFunction - Curvature of bones creates:- larger surface area for mucosa to remove dust and airborne pathogens- creates turbulence to slow down inflowing air so it increases contact w/ mucous membrane, removing debris from air

Identify the mechanisms by which the nose attempts to prevent airborne debris and pathogens from entering the

airways and lungs

- vibrissae (course hairs) guard entrance to nose and filter our large particles

- mucus secreted by goblet cells of mucous membrane lining nasal conchae trap smaller particles

- mucus also contains lysozymes (bactericidal enzyme) that destroys bacteria

- Cilia push small particles towards the pharynx

Describe the function of each of the three

regions of the pharynx

Nasopharynx - passageway for airOropharynx - passage for food

and drink into the digestive tractLaryngopharynx - entry into

digestive tract creating passage for food and drink into the

digestive tract

Identify the other organ system to which the oropharynx belongs.

Digestive System

Identify the lymphoid structures that guard the entrance of the nasopharynx and oropharynx to prevent the entry of airborne or food borne pathogens from entering the body

pharyngeal (adenoid), palatine and lingual

tonsils

Describe the function of the epiglottis

- closes airway when swallowing food or liquid-

- open airway when air is passing through

Describe the two principal functions of

the larynx.

1) keep food and liquid from entering the airway

2) produce sound for speech

Describe the function(s) of the glottis

space between vocal cords provide a passageway for

airflow between the pharynx and the

trachea

Identify and describe the function(s) of the epiglottis

- closes airway when swallowing food or liquid

- open airway to allow air to pass through

- prevent aspiration (entry of food and drink (or other foreign object) into the trachea

Identify and describe the function(s) of the thyroid cartilage

forms walls of larynx

Identify and describe the function(s) of the cricoid

cartilage

- round cartilage connects the larynx to the trachea;

- pressing it down compresses esophagus making it easier to bring tube into airway

- Can also be used as location of emergency airway

Explain how sound is produced by the larynx and what determines the pitch and loudness of vocal

(laryngeal) sounds and how these sounds are transformed into identifiable speech sounds.

-airflow passes through the adducted cords causes them to vibrate and produce a sound

- Pitch - controlling the amount of tension on the cords

- Volume - altering the force of air flowing past the cords

Describe the function of the trachea

- continues passageway for air flow from the larynx

- Another line of defense against the potential invasion of airborne pathogens and debris

Explain how the amount of airflow through the trachea can be adjusted to meet the

body's demand

- trachealis muscles contract or relax to alter the diameter of the trachea and vary the flow

of air

Describe the mechanisms by which the trachea attempts to prevent airborne debris and pathogens from entering the lower airways

and lungs

- Mucociliary elevator - tracheal walls are lined with cilia that beat upward to move mucus and trapped debris upward toward pharynx to be expectorated or swallowed

- helps prevent these particles from reaching the lower respiratory tract and alveoli