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Anatomy & Physiology: Respiratory System Key Concepts

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  • Organs of the respiratory system

    Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs (alveoli).

  • Where does gas exchange occur in the respiratory system?

    Only in the alveoli of the lungs.

  • Difference between upper and lower respiratory tract

    Upper tract: nose to larynx; Lower tract: trachea to alveoli.

  • Functions of respiratory mucosa in the nose

    Moistens air, traps particles, destroys bacteria with lysozyme, moves mucus to throat.

  • Role of nasal conchae

    Increase surface area and air turbulence to trap inhaled particles.

  • Functions of paranasal sinuses

    Lighten skull, act as resonance chambers for speech, produce mucus.

  • Three regions of the pharynx

    Nasopharynx (behind nasal cavity), oropharynx (behind mouth), laryngopharynx (attached to larynx).

  • Function of the epiglottis

    Protects larynx opening during swallowing by routing food to esophagus and air to trachea.

  • Structure and function of vocal folds

    True vocal cords that vibrate with expelled air to produce sound.

  • Trachea characteristics

    4-inch tube with C-shaped hyaline cartilage rings, lined with ciliated mucosa and goblet cells producing mucus.

  • Differences between right and left main bronchi

    Right bronchus is wider, shorter, and straighter than left.

  • Lung lobes and location

    Right lung has three lobes; left lung has two lobes; apex near clavicle, base rests on diaphragm.

  • Pleura and pleural fluid functions

    Visceral pleura covers lungs, parietal pleura lines thoracic cavity, pleural fluid reduces friction during breathing.

  • Respiratory zone structures

    Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, alveoli (site of gas exchange).

  • Respiratory membrane composition and function

    Formed by alveolar and capillary walls; allows gas diffusion between air and blood.

  • Four events of respiration

    Pulmonary ventilation, external respiration, respiratory gas transport, internal respiration.

  • Mechanics of inspiration

    Diaphragm and external intercostals contract, increasing lung volume and decreasing pressure, drawing air in.

  • Mechanics of expiration

    Passive lung recoil decreases volume, increases pressure, pushing air out; forced expiration uses internal intercostals.

  • Intrapleural pressure importance

    Always negative to prevent lung collapse; equalizing with atmospheric pressure causes lung recoil.

  • Tidal volume (TV)

    Amount of air moved in or out during normal quiet breathing (~500 ml).

  • Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

    Additional air forcibly inhaled beyond tidal volume (~3100 ml).

  • Expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

    Additional air forcibly exhaled beyond tidal volume (~1200 ml).

  • Residual volume

    Air remaining in lungs after forced expiration (~1200 ml), keeps alveoli inflated.

  • Vital capacity formula

    Vital capacity = TV + IRV + ERV; total exchangeable air volume.

  • Dead space volume

    Air in conducting zone that does not reach alveoli (~150 ml).

  • Oxygen transport in blood

    Mostly bound to hemoglobin as oxyhemoglobin; small amount dissolved in plasma.

  • Carbon dioxide transport in blood

    Mostly as bicarbonate ion in plasma; some bound to hemoglobin at different sites than oxygen.

  • Neural control of respiration

    Medulla sets basic rhythm via ventral respiratory group; pons smooths respiratory rate.

  • Chemical factors affecting respiration

    CO2 levels are primary stimulus; increased CO2 lowers pH and increases breathing rate and depth.

  • Effects of hyperventilation

    Excessive CO2 exhalation raises blood pH, may cause dizziness and apnea.

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) features

    Includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema; causes labored breathing, hypoxia, CO2 retention, and respiratory failure.