CH 11: Major Structures of the Respiratory System

Question 1

Upper Respiratory Tract:
Nose and Nasal Cavities

• description (2)
• function (2)

Answer 1

description:
- supported by cartilage and bone
- internal cavities divided by nasal septum and lined with mucosa

function:
- produces mucus
- filters, warms, and moistens air

Question 2

Upper Respiratory Tract:
Pharynx

• description (3)
• function (2)

Answer 2

description:

• sits posterior to oral cavity
• connects oral cavity and larynx to esophagus
• contains tonsils (lymphoid tissue)

function:

• chamber for passage of air and food
• contains lymphocytes to protect against inhaled antigens

Question 3

Upper Respiratory Tract:
Glottis

• description (1)
• function (1)

Answer 3

description:
- opening into larynx

function:
- passage of air into larynx

Question 4

Upper Respiratory Tract:
Larynx

• description (3)
• function (3)

Answer 4

description:

• connection from pharynx to trachea
• composed of cartilage and dense connective tissue
• houses the vocal cords and the voice box

function:

• passage of air
• prevents passage of food into lower respiratory tract
• produces sound

Question 5

Lower Respiratory Tract:
Trachea

• description (3)
• function (2)

Answer 5

description:

• flexible tube that connects larynx with bronchi
• walls contain c-shaped cartilaginous rings
• open portion of c-shape faces esophagus

function:

• passage of air to bronchi
• cleans, warms, and moistens air

Question 6

Lower Respiratory Tract:
Bronchi

• description (2)
• function (1)

Answer 6

description:

• part of the bronchiole tree
• paired tubes inferior to the trachea that enter the lungs

function:
- passage of air to bronchioles

Question 7

Lower Respiratory Tract:
Bronchioles

• description (3)
• function (2)

Answer 7

description:

• part of the bronchiole tree
• branched tubes that lead from bronchi to alveoli
• bronchiole walls contain smooth muscle layer

function:

• passage of air to each lung
• cleans, warms, and moistens air

Question 8

Lower Respiratory Tract:
Lungs

• description (3)
• function (1)

Answer 8

description:

• paired, cone-shaped organs within lateral portions of the thoracic cavity
• made up mostly of alveoli and passageways
• fibrous elastic connective tissue allow lungs to shrink during expiration

function:
- contain alveoli and blood vessels

Question 9

Lower Respiratory Tract:
Alveoli

• description (2)
• function (1)

Answer 9

description:

• thin-walled microscopic air sacs in lungs at the end of bronchioles
• closely associated with pulmonary capillaries

function:
- gas exchange between air and blood