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BM1011 Introduction to the respiratory system
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The basic anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system
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The Respiratory System - Tube connects nasal cavity and oral cavity tothe lungs
1. Describe basic lung anatomy including - Descends from bottom of throat down to
airways, blood supply and tissue layers. middle of thoracic cavity and splits 2 ways --<
2. Describe the bronchial and pulmonary into bronchi
blood vessel circuits. - Penetrates from neck region into TC which is
Gas Exchange the red cage (ribs and muscle between them
– chest wall)
BASIC LUNG ANATOMY
Bronchi
Introduction to lungs
Chest Wall
Lung’s transfer (blood-air interface)
- Ribs and muscle between them (rib cage)
- Oxygen to blood (metabolism) - Surrounds lungs and TC
- CO2 to atmosphere from blood (waste - Surrounded by a layer of epithelium
product of metabolism).
(Lungs also surrounded by a layer of Gap
Gas exchange occurs all the time. epithelium also between
intrapleur
al space
Requires a good respiratory surface – the lungs Intrapleural space
- Large surface area (alveoli) - Filled with fluid
- Interact as an interface between blood and - Under a ‘vacuum’, sucks your lungs out
air, allowing breathing. against the chest wall.
- Occurs passively due to pressure. - Provides lubrication for when lungs change
Lungs have its own vascular system (pulmonary volume (that way
circuit). they don’t grate
against chest wall)
Anatomy of the respiratory tract
Divides into upper, middle, and lower respiratory
tracts:
1. Upper respiratory tract: neck upwards External lung anatomy
2. Middle respiratory tract (upper airways): Surrounded by ribs/chest wall, has intercostal
between neck and large airways going muscles between the ribs.
into the lungs
3. Lower respiratory tract: alveoli (gas Ribs connect to sternum in the middle of the
exchange surface) chest.
Key Structures in The Respiratory System - Cartilage (darker section closer to sternum on
upper ribs) and ligament (darker section on
Nasal Cavity lower ribs) that can stretch (allowing chest
- Specialised to bringing in air slowly and cavity to expand) connect ribs to
humidifying it. sternum.
Both
- Issue: low flow rate, hence it is often supply Diaphragm à allows separation of TC
overridden when blocked or other – mouth. gas to RS
from abdominal cavity. Changes size à
when we
Oral cavity
breathe pulls lungs down into the AC – allows
thoracic volume to increase
Trachea
• BM1011 TERM Property TOPIC TITLE à subtopic ↓ ↑ ∴ + = 💡Mnemoic
, Intrapleural space (pleural cavity): epithelia Epiglottis: seals over the trachea when you
(darker pink region, with two light pink outer swallow.
layers, @ outside of TC.
Most the time the NS and OS go straight into the
trachea (default pathway).
Trach
ea
RESPIRATORY TRACTS IN MORE DETAIL
The Bronchial Tree
Upper Respiratory Tract
Trachea bifurcates becoming bronchi- left and
Nasal cavity feeds into the nasopharynx right primary bronchi and divide then 3 or 4
Nasopharynx: forms tube that goes down to the times.
lungs (is it the first part of the tube.) Notch in left lung to accommodate heart, hence
Oropharynx: behind throat. Separated from the there are less lobes in the left lung than the right.
nasopharynx by the uvula (for food and fluid Hence lungs are asymmetrical
intake) however there is no separation at the
pharynx level (hence doesn’t matter if you Bronchi are big thick structure
breathe through your mouth or nose both go to Bronchioles – divide many times, no cartilage so
lungs) not very strong. Smooth muscle later to facilitate
Uvula: dangles down from bottom of throat, bronchodilation and bronchoconstriction. Lined
when swallowing occurs, it moves up and seals with ciliated columnar cells that are tightly
nasopharynx preventing food or fluid going into packed.
nose. Divide 20 times before getting to alveoli. Made of
Laryngopharynx: where pharynx is a tube squamous epithelium, thin for optimum gas
collecting air from NP and OP to trachea exchange. Expand and decrease in volume, not
very strong and very thin. Great surface area,
Trachea: tube that will take the air down to lungs. hence massive area from gas exchange.
Oesophagus: muscular tube, down to intestines. Cell types of the alveoli
Usually flattened so air can pass to lungs. But
when you swallow, NS sealed with uvula, and Type 1 cell
trachea is sealed with the epiglottis – food thus - Respiratory
doesn’t go to lungs or nose. - Thin
Hence, ‘food went down the wrong pipe’ occurs
when epiglottis doesn’t seal properly. Receptors
in trachea stimulate coughing when this occurs to Type 2 cell (alveolar)
expel the food back into laryngopharynx(LP) and - Secretes surfactant
then OP
• BM1011 TERM Property TOPIC TITLE à subtopic ↓ ↑ ∴ + = 💡Mnemoic
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