Skip to main content
Back

abem Anatomy & Physiology: Respiratory and Cardiovascular System Key Concepts

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/32

Terms in this set (32)

  • Primary locations of gas exchange in the respiratory system
    Gas exchange occurs mainly in the alveoli of the lungs where oxygen moves into the blood and carbon dioxide moves out.
  • Function of the conducting zones in the respiratory system
    The conducting zones filter, warm, and humidify air and conduct it to the respiratory zones for gas exchange.
  • Function of the uvula and epiglottis
    The uvula prevents food from entering the nasal cavity; the epiglottis prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing.
  • Why do objects lodge more often in the right bronchus?
    The right bronchus is more vertical and wider, so inhaled objects tend to lodge there more than the angled left bronchus.
  • Difference between Type 1 and Type 2 alveolar cells
    Type 1 cells form the alveolar walls for gas exchange; Type 2 cells produce surfactant to reduce surface tension.
  • Role of surfactant in the lungs
    Surfactant reduces surface tension in alveoli, preventing collapse and aiding lung expansion.
  • Boyle's Law in respiration
    Boyle's Law states that pressure and volume are inversely related; as lung volume increases, pressure decreases, causing air to flow in.
  • What happens during normal inspiration?
    The ribcage elevates and the diaphragm flattens, increasing thoracic volume and decreasing pressure to draw air in.
  • What is a pneumothorax?
    A pneumothorax is air in the pleural cavity causing lung collapse.
  • What is a hemothorax?
    A hemothorax is blood accumulation in the pleural cavity.
  • Effect of bronchoconstriction on airways
    Bronchoconstriction decreases airway diameter, increasing resistance and making breathing more difficult.
  • Direction of oxygen movement during gas exchange
    Oxygen moves from the lungs (alveoli) into the blood, then from blood into tissues.
  • How many oxygen molecules can bind to one hemoglobin molecule?
    One hemoglobin molecule can bind up to four oxygen molecules.
  • Conditions that favor oxygen unloading from hemoglobin
    Increased acidity, temperature, and CO2 pressure favor oxygen unloading to tissues.
  • How is most CO2 carried in the blood?
    About 70% of CO2 is carried as bicarbonate ions in the plasma.
  • Primary function of alveolar macrophages
    Alveolar macrophages clean up debris and pathogens in the alveoli.
  • Brain area controlling basic rhythm of breathing
    The medulla oblongata controls the basic rhythm of breathing.
  • System responsible for controlling breathing
    The respiratory control system in the brainstem regulates breathing rate and depth.
  • Difference between pulmonary arteries and veins
    Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs; pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood to the heart.
  • Function of the auricles on the heart
    Auricles increase the capacity of the atria to hold more blood.
  • Which side of the heart generates higher pressure and why?
    The left side generates higher pressure to pump blood through the systemic circulation.
  • Function of heart valves
    Heart valves ensure one-way blood flow through the heart chambers.
  • What is the SA node?
    The SA node is the heart's pacemaker, initiating electrical impulses for heartbeat.
  • Pathway of electrical conduction in the heart
    Impulse starts at the SA node, moves to the AV node, then to the AV bundle and Purkinje fibers.
  • Definition of cardiac output
    Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped per minute by the heart.
  • Locations of heart valves and chambers they separate
    The atrioventricular valves separate atria and ventricles; the semilunar valves separate ventricles from arteries.
  • What are tachycardia and bradycardia?
    Tachycardia is a fast heart rate; bradycardia is a slow heart rate.
  • What do S1 and S2 heart sounds represent?
    S1 is the closing of atrioventricular valves; S2 is the closing of semilunar valves.
  • Function of pericardial fluid
    Pericardial fluid reduces friction between heart and pericardium during heartbeats.
  • Primary function of the cardiovascular system
    To transport blood, delivering oxygen and nutrients and removing wastes.
  • How do heart valves open and close?
    Valves open and close based on pressure differences to maintain unidirectional blood flow.
  • Does blood continue entering atria before atrial contraction?
    True: Blood continues to enter the atria from the vena cava and pulmonary veins before atrial contraction.