Skip to main content
Back

Respiratory System Anatomy & Physiology

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/20
  • What are the main functions of the respiratory system?

    Breathing (pulmonary ventilation), gas exchange, warming and humidifying air, protecting respiratory surfaces, and producing sound.

  • What structures compose the upper respiratory tract?

    The nasal cavity and pharynx, lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium containing goblet cells that produce mucus and lysozyme.

  • What is the nasal septum composed of?

    The nasal septum is a central wall of bone and cartilage dividing the nasal cavity, including the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, vomer, and septal cartilage.

  • What is the function of the nasal conchae?

    Bony plates on the lateral walls of the nasal cavity that increase surface area of the mucous membrane to warm and humidify inhaled air.

  • Name the three regions of the pharynx and their epithelial types.

    Nasopharynx: pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium.
    Oropharynx and laryngopharynx: nonkeratinized stratified epithelium.

  • What are the vocal and vestibular folds in the larynx?

    Vocal folds are the true vocal cords responsible for sound production.
    Vestibular folds are false vocal cords that protect the vocal folds.

  • Which cartilages form the larynx?

    Thyroid, cricoid, arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform cartilages, plus the epiglottis.

  • Describe the structure and function of the trachea.

    A flexible tube from C6 to T4/T5 with 15-20 U-shaped hyaline cartilage rings and trachealis muscle; it filters, warms, and humidifies air.

  • How do bronchioles differ from bronchi?

    Bronchioles lack cartilage and have smooth muscle to keep them open; lined by columnar to cuboidal epithelium facilitating gas diffusion.

  • What are alveoli and their cell types?

    Functional units of the lung composed of Type I alveolar cells (gas exchange), Type II alveolar cells (surfactant production), and endothelial cells.

  • What are the pleural layers and their characteristics?

    Visceral pleura: adheres to lungs, insensitive to pain.
    Parietal pleura: lines thoracic wall, sensitive to pain, innervated by somatic nerves.

  • Name the surfaces and borders of the lungs.

    Surfaces: mediastinal, diaphragmatic, costal.
    Borders: anterior, posterior (smooth), inferior.

  • What is the difference between pulmonary and bronchial circulation?

    Pulmonary circulation carries blood to/from gas exchange surfaces.
    Bronchial circulation supplies blood to bronchi and bronchioles from systemic circulation.

  • Explain Boyle's Law in pulmonary ventilation.

    Gas pressure decreases as volume increases and vice versa; during inhalation, thoracic volume increases, lowering pressure and drawing air in.

  • What happens to alveolar pressure during inspiration?

    Thoracic volume increases, alveolar volume increases, intrapulmonary pressure drops below atmospheric pressure, causing air to flow into lungs.

  • Describe the respiratory muscles involved in eupnea (quiet breathing).

    Inhalation: diaphragm (phrenic nerve) and external intercostals (intercostal nerves).
    Exhalation: passive relaxation of these muscles.

  • Which muscles assist in hypereupnea (forced breathing)?

    Inspiration: scalene, serratus anterior/posterior, pectoralis minor/major, sternocleidomastoid.
    Expiration: internal intercostals, transversus thoracis, abdominal muscles.

  • What are the 'bucket handle' and 'pump handle' movements of the thorax?

    Bucket handle: ribs swing outward increasing transverse diameter.
    Pump handle: ribs raise increasing anteroposterior diameter.

  • What is the role of sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation in the lungs?

    Sympathetic (T1–T5): dilates bronchioles.
    Parasympathetic (vagus nerve): constricts bronchioles.

  • What epithelium lines the trachea and upper respiratory tract?

    Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells producing mucus to trap particles.