Lab 15: Respiratory System

Using the terminology you've learned, describe the location of the epiglottis.

Above the opening to the larynx (epi = above; glottis = opening to the larynx)

Mediadtinum

An area between the lungs where many significant anatomical structures are located. Some structures of the mediastinum include the heart, coronary vessels, esophagus, phrenic nerves, vagus nerves, thymus, thoracic (lymphatic) duct, and lymph nodes

Pneumonia

An infection of the lungs that can be acquired by breathing in bacteria or germs. The infection causes the alveoli to fill with fluid/pus, which can make breathing difficult or laborsome because the body may not be able to get the oxygen it needs from the alveoli walls as easily. Other typical symptoms of pneumonia can include fever, coughing up sputum, chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, among others. Sometimes symptoms can be mild, causing people to refer to their illness as "walking pneumonia". Because most types of pneumonia are caused by germs or bacteria, antibiotics are commonly used to treat many forms of pneumonia within a reasonable time period. The condition should be taken seriously though; it can be severe and deadly for infants, the elderly, and others with an already compromised immune system.

Why is the right lung bigger than the left lung?

Because of the location of the heart

Inhalation

Breathing in -Active, meaning it requires muscles -When the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract, they decrease the pressure in the thoracic cavity, causing air to flow in (air flows from high pressure areas to low pressure areas). As the air enters/fills the thoracic cavity, it causes the pressure to increase again until it equals atmospheric pressure, at which point air will stop flowing into the thoracic cavity and your lungs will be full of air.

What does the term oblique mean?

Slanting

Pharynx

The cavity behind the nose and mouth leading to the esophagus

Larynx

The hollow organ through which air passes during inhalation and exhalation; it holds the vocal cords and is more commonly known as the "voice box"

Respiration

The process of breathing to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide

Glottis

The superior opening to the larynx

Cricoid Cartilage

This is the only ring-shaped cartilage of the larynx

What is the function of the meati?

To warm, moisten, and clean air as it heads toward the lungs

Where will air in the primary bronchi flow next if the internal intercostal muscles are being innervated?

Trachea

Where would you look to find the opening of the nasolacrimal duct?

Under the inferior concha, or in the inferior meatus

Arytenoid Cartilage

Vocal ligaments attach to this cartilage

Meati

Warm, moisten, and clean air as it heads toward the lungs

Air can enter/exit through...

structures of the oral or nasal cavities

Laryngo

Larynx

Oro

Mouth

What muscle(s) is/are necessary for exhalation?

NONE for passive exhalation; internal intercostals for active (forceful) exhalation

Naso

Nose

What does the term naso mean?

Nose

In order, list the structures that an oxygen molecule would pass through beginning with a nostril and ending in the rectum.

Nostril --> meati --> nasopharynx --> oropharynx --> laryngopharynx --> glottis --> between the false vocal cords --> between the true vocal cords --> trachea --> primary bronchus --> secondary bronchus --> tertiary bronchus --> bronchiole --> alveolus --> capillary bed --> pulmonary v. --> L. atrium --> bicuspid valve --> L. ventricle --> aortic valve --> ascending aorta --> aortic arch --> descending thoracic aorta --> descending abdominal aorta --> inferior mesenteric a. --> superior rectal a. --> capillary bed in rectum

Internal Intercostals

-Innervated by intercostal nerves -Action: exhalation (forceful)

External Intercostals

-Innervated by intercostal nerves -Action: inhalation

Diaphragm

-Innervated by the phrenic n. (C3 n. + C4 n. + C5 n.) -Action: inhalation

How many lobes does the left lung have?

2

How many lobes does the right lung have?

3

Asthma

A condition in which one's airways become inflamed, causing them to swell and constrict. Chronic asthma can range from mild to severe, but every flare up should be taken seriously. If the airways become too swollen to allow air to pass through them, the body will quickly become deprived of oxygen. Typical symptoms of an asthma attack include coughing, and wheezing, shortness of breath, but a severe asthma attack can close the airways completely and cause asphyxiation (death by suffocation) if not treated. There is no current cure for asthma, but the condition can be managed and treated with inhalers, nebulizers, and/or daily medications.

Exhalation

Breathing out -Passive, meaning it does not require muscles -During inhalation, the diaphragm increases abdominal pressure when it contracts and the thoracic wall is stretched by the external intercostal muscles when they contract. When the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax, the elasticity of the thoracic walls and pressure in the abdomen put pressure on the thorax, increasing the pressure in the thoracic cavity. Because air flows from high pressure areas to low pressure areas, and the thorax is now under higher pressure than atmospheric pressure, air flows out of the body (exhalation). Forceful exhalation is active and requires the innervation and contraction of the internal intercostal muscles to increase thoracic cavity pressure.

What spinal nerves contribute to the phrenic n.?

C3 n., C4 n., and C5 n.

What is the only laryngeal cartilage that is ring-shaped?

Cricoid cartilage

What muscle(s) is/are necessary for inhalation?

Diaphragm and external intercostal muscles

What vocal cord is more superior?

False vocal cord