Respiratory system
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What does the upper respiratory tract consist of?
Nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx
What does the pharynx divide into?
Nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx
What does the lower respiratory tract consist of?
Primary bronchi. secondary bronchi, tertiary bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli
Where does the apex of the lungs sit
Slightly above the clavicles
Where does the base of the lungs sit?
Rests on the diaphragm
How many lobes does the right lung have?
Three lobes
How many lobes does the left lung have?
Two lobes and is 10% smaller
Where does the trachea extend to?
From the larynx to the primary bronchi in the thoracic cavity, is anterior to the oesophagus
What does the mucosal lining in the trachea consist of?
Ciliated pseudostratified epithelium, containing goblet cells
What type of muscle is in the trachea?
Smooth and elastic muscle making it very flexible
What is the carina?
Branch point of the trachea into the bronchi
What triggers coughing?
The mucosa at the carina as it is extremely sensitive and triggered when a foreign object touches it
What is in the primary bronchi?
Rings of C-shaped cartilage, right bronchus is wider, shorter and more vertical
What does the secondary bronchi do?
Supples the lobes of each lung, rings of cartilage are replaced with strips
What does the tertiary bronchi do?
Supply the segments within the lobes of each lung
What do the bronchioles do?
Connect the tertiary bronchi (conduction zone) to the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveoli
What are the alveoli lined with?
Simple squamous epithelium to optimise diffusion
What is the main gas exchange structure of the respiratory tract?
Alveoli
What does surfactant do?
Prevents a thin watery liquid from lining the surface of alveoli exerting a force called surface tension
Why is surfactant important?
If the lining of pure water the surface tension would cause the alveoli to collapse inwards between breaths, but the surfactant reduces this surface tension, also reduces the energy needed to expand the lungs
What does lung tissue consist of?
Mostly air spaces, elastic connective tissue
What is each lung enclosed by?
Pleural membrane (serous membrane)
What does the visceral and parietal pleura line?
Visceral pleura covers the lungs Parietal pleura lines the wall of the thoracic cavity
What pressure gradient does air move?
From an area of high pressure to low pressure for air to move into the lungs we need to create low pressure, for air to move out we need to create high pressure