Advanced Pathophysiology Quiz #6 test (150
Questions) – Complete 2026 Exam Prep with
Answers & Detailed Explanations
purpose & function of respiratory system
- transport of oxygen from air to blood (oxygen is necessary for
life & cellular metabolism)
- removal of carbon dioxide from the blood (carbon dioxide is a
waste product from metabolism)
two anatomical areas:
- upper respiratory tract: resident flora
- lower respiratory tract: sterile
upper respiratory tract
,- nasal cavity: air flow first enters here. warming and
moistening of air, foreign material is tapped by mucous
secretions
- nasopharynx: pharyngeal tonsils in posterior wall
- palatine tonsils: lymphoid tissue in posterior portion of the
oral cavity
- oropharynx: common passage for air and food. the epiglottis
protects opening to larynx, by closing over glottis at swallowing
to prevent aspiration
- larynx: consists of cartilage and muscle, the largest is the
thyroid cartilage (what forms the adams apple), two pairs of
vocal cords (upper/ false pair & lower pair)
- trachea: lined by psudostratified ciliated epithelium, c- shaped
rings of cartilage
nasal cavity
- part of the upper respiratory tract
- air flow first enters here
- air is warmed and moistened
- very vasculature
- foreign material is trapped by mucous secretions
nasopharynx
- part of the upper respiratory tract
,- pharyngeal tonsils in the posterior wall
palatine tonsils
- part of the upper respiratory tract
- lymphoid tissue in posterior portion of the oral cavity
oropharynx
- part of the upper respiratory tract
- common passage for air and food
- the epiglottis protects opening to larynx, by closing over
glottis at swallowing to prevent aspiration
larynx
- part of the upper respiratory tract
- consists of cartilage and muscle, the largest is the thyroid
cartilage (what forms the adams apple)
- two pairs of vocal cords (upper/ false pair & lower pair)
trachea
- part of the upper respiratory tract
- lined by psudostratified ciliated epithelium, c- shaped rings of
cartilage
lower respiratory tract
air proceeds from the upper respiratory tract into the right or
left primary bronchus
, - bronchial tree (continuous branching) located here
trachea branches into:
- right and left primary bronchi: the right bronchus is larger &
straighter and the most likely destination for aspirated material
- secondary bronchi
- bronchioles
- terminal bronchioles
- respiratory bronchioles
- alveolar ducts
- alevoli: lined by simple squamous epithelium and surfactant
to reduce surface tension and maintain inflation. it is the end
point for inspired air & sire of gas exchange
alveoli
(part of the lower respiratory tract)
- lined by simple squamous epithelium and surfactant to reduce
surface tension and maintain inflation
- it is the end point for inspired air & sire of gas exchange
ventilation
- process of inspiration and expiration
- airflow depends on pressure gradient (boyle's law - air aways
moves from high pressure area to low pressure area)
Questions) – Complete 2026 Exam Prep with
Answers & Detailed Explanations
purpose & function of respiratory system
- transport of oxygen from air to blood (oxygen is necessary for
life & cellular metabolism)
- removal of carbon dioxide from the blood (carbon dioxide is a
waste product from metabolism)
two anatomical areas:
- upper respiratory tract: resident flora
- lower respiratory tract: sterile
upper respiratory tract
,- nasal cavity: air flow first enters here. warming and
moistening of air, foreign material is tapped by mucous
secretions
- nasopharynx: pharyngeal tonsils in posterior wall
- palatine tonsils: lymphoid tissue in posterior portion of the
oral cavity
- oropharynx: common passage for air and food. the epiglottis
protects opening to larynx, by closing over glottis at swallowing
to prevent aspiration
- larynx: consists of cartilage and muscle, the largest is the
thyroid cartilage (what forms the adams apple), two pairs of
vocal cords (upper/ false pair & lower pair)
- trachea: lined by psudostratified ciliated epithelium, c- shaped
rings of cartilage
nasal cavity
- part of the upper respiratory tract
- air flow first enters here
- air is warmed and moistened
- very vasculature
- foreign material is trapped by mucous secretions
nasopharynx
- part of the upper respiratory tract
,- pharyngeal tonsils in the posterior wall
palatine tonsils
- part of the upper respiratory tract
- lymphoid tissue in posterior portion of the oral cavity
oropharynx
- part of the upper respiratory tract
- common passage for air and food
- the epiglottis protects opening to larynx, by closing over
glottis at swallowing to prevent aspiration
larynx
- part of the upper respiratory tract
- consists of cartilage and muscle, the largest is the thyroid
cartilage (what forms the adams apple)
- two pairs of vocal cords (upper/ false pair & lower pair)
trachea
- part of the upper respiratory tract
- lined by psudostratified ciliated epithelium, c- shaped rings of
cartilage
lower respiratory tract
air proceeds from the upper respiratory tract into the right or
left primary bronchus
, - bronchial tree (continuous branching) located here
trachea branches into:
- right and left primary bronchi: the right bronchus is larger &
straighter and the most likely destination for aspirated material
- secondary bronchi
- bronchioles
- terminal bronchioles
- respiratory bronchioles
- alveolar ducts
- alevoli: lined by simple squamous epithelium and surfactant
to reduce surface tension and maintain inflation. it is the end
point for inspired air & sire of gas exchange
alveoli
(part of the lower respiratory tract)
- lined by simple squamous epithelium and surfactant to reduce
surface tension and maintain inflation
- it is the end point for inspired air & sire of gas exchange
ventilation
- process of inspiration and expiration
- airflow depends on pressure gradient (boyle's law - air aways
moves from high pressure area to low pressure area)
