PSL 431 Exam 5 Respiratory Questions
with Verified Answers
Discuss how the pharynx is involved in obstructive sleep apnea - ANSWER-We lose
muscle tone during certain phase of sleep (REM); tongue and uvula tend to sag and
starts to obstruct opening . Makes it difficult for air from nasal or oral cavity to get into
laryngeal pharynx. Causes you to startle awake then fall back asleep. REM sleep is
when most muscles are paralyzed and causes tongue to sag down and collapse the
throat muscles; can also happen in non-REM sleep.
Describe the structure and function of the larynx. - ANSWER-The voice box,
contains the glottis (i.e., vocal organ), which is the site of phonation (production of
speech).
Discuss, in general, the process of phonation. - ANSWER-Changing the tension on
the ligaments (Changing the tone) and the type of sound that's being generated.
Epiglottis - ANSWER-Elastic cartilage, prevents food/liquid from getting into the
respiratory tract.
Glottis - ANSWER-Vocal organ, opens and closes. We forcefully expire air and push
air through the glottis and vibrate these guitar strings and change the position of the
cartilages by contracting muscle, which changes the length/tension of the ligaments
so we can affect the sound/regenerate the pitch of sound).
Compare/contrast the structure and function of superior vs. inferior vocal folds. -
ANSWER-2 superior folds and 2 inferior folds. Folds of mucosa and submucosa,
also contain connective tissue (ligaments). If the superior folds close, it prevents
food/water from getting down into the trachea. Superior folds don't have any wall in
phonation; the inferior have walls. The superior are false vocal cords.
Trachea - ANSWER-The windpipe; the larynx opens into the trachea, which
branches into the primary (extrapulmonary) bronchi. Has a lot of cartilage rings (they
don't make up the entire circumference). Trachea bifurcates and opens up into two
muscles that are called the primary bronchi. The amount of cartilage decreases the
further we go down the respiratory tract, eventually disappearing. As you go down
the respiratory tract, the amount of smooth muscle increases. Trachea is located
posterior to the esophagus.
Primary Bronchi - ANSWER-Has sharper angle in reference to the trachea than the
right. Usually if something gets caught in the lungs, it will go to the right lung.
Referred to as extrapulmonary because they're primarily located outside of the lung
proper.
,Describe the gross (in situ) anatomy of the lung and their lobes. Identify the blood
vessels and respiratory tubes located in a lung hilum. - ANSWER-The right lung has
3 lobes and the left lung has 2 lobes. The hilum is an indented region that contains
important vessels. The pulmonary veins/pulmonary arteries, and primary bronchus
are in the hilum.
Identify the location of the parietal and visceral pleural membranes, the pleural
cavity, and discuss their functions. - ANSWER-Parietal pleural membrane is located
on the outside. The visceral pleural membrane lines the surface of the lungs itself.
The parietal peritoneal membrane lines the inside of the thoracic cavity and the
surface of the diaphragm, single layer of cells.
Pleural Cavity: Surrounds lungs, small space with serous fluid to reduce friction
when lungs inflate/deflate because they push against the thoracic wall.
Discuss the condition of pleurisy. - ANSWER-Inflammation of the pleural cavity.
Compare/contrast extrapulmonary vs. intrapulmonary bronchi. - ANSWER-
Extrapulmonary are located outside of the lung tissue proper while intrapulmonary
are located within the lung tissue proper. Primary bronchi are located in the
extrapulmonary while secondary bronchi are intrapulmonary.
Explain the structural organization of a bronchopulmonary segment, what respiratory
tube feeds it, and how many exist per each lung. - ANSWER-Each lobe of the lung is
subdivided by connective tissue into approximately ten functional units (each
supplied by a tertiary bronchus). The trachea feeds the segment. Primary bronchi
branch into secondary bronchi. The tertiary bronchi (approximately 10 on each lung)
feed the bronchopulmonary segments. There are 3 lobes on the left side and 2 lobes
on the right side.
Compare/contrast conducting vs. the respiratory zones. - ANSWER-Conducting
zone conducts air, everything above the trachea is involved in conducting air swap.
The respiratory zone is involved in gas exchange and is the zone that undergoes
respiration (gas exchange) and cellular respiration.
Describe the general organization of alveolar ducts and alveolar sacs. - ANSWER-
Alveolar ducts contain alveoli and alveolar sacs, which are little pores that prevent
the alveoli from collapsing. Contains visceral and parietal membranes on the outside.
Describe the pulmonary vasculature associated with alveolar sacs and understand
the vast surface area of alveoli and pulmonary capillaries. - ANSWER-Pulmonary
capillaries (came from pulmonary arteriole) carry deoxygenated blood and drain to
the veins/venules to the left atrium. Capillary beds are located on top of the alveoli.
Alveoli of lungs stretched out covers half a tennis court (massive surface area).
Describe, in detail, the anatomy of an alveolus. - ANSWER-3D shape, loaded with
elastic fibers on the outside (can expand by stretching elastic fibers). The elastic
fibers can stop expanding so it collapses (elastic fibers recoil). Also contain dust cells
(macrophages) that eat dust/bacteria.
, Compare/contrast type I vs. type II pneumocytes. - ANSWER-Type I: Involved in gas
exchange, capillary endothelial cells, and fused basement membranes.
Type 2: Septal cells that secrete pulmonary surfactant.
Draw, label, and describe the function of the respiratory membrane. - ANSWER-Very
thin barrier with protein mesh. Has 2 layers of cells so that gas exchange can occur
(diffusion is limited, most efficient within 2 cell layers). Alveolar epithelium covers it,
allows for exchange of O2 and CO2. Endothelial cells have protein beneath called
the basement membrane.
Describe the location of the primary respiratory center and the organization of its
nuclei (i.e., the dorsal respiratory group (DRG), the ventral respiratory group (VRG),
and the pre-Bötzinger complex (pre-BotC)). - ANSWER-The breathing, or respiration
centers, are located in the medulla oblongata (primary respiratory center) of the brain
stem. If medulla oblongata is damaged, we can't breathe. Respiration is controlled
both autonomically and subconsciously. The medulla contains the Pre-botC and the
VRG. Pre bot C is an aggregation of nerve cell bodies, VRG is located most ventral.
Explain, in detail, the role of the DRG in respiration. Discuss how it is involved in
either passive or active inspiration or expiration, and what breathing muscles it
controls. - ANSWER-When normally breathing, we are under control of DRG
(inspirations, breathe in). DRG sends signal to diaphragm and intercostal muscles
via the phrenic nerve and stimulates contraction. The lungs expand, which creates a
vacuum that draws air into the lungs. The diaphragm contracts and goes from dome
position to flat position, which increases the volume of the thoracic cavity. Breathing
out is a passive process, nothing needs to happen. Lungs passively recoil and we
expire.
Explain, in detail, the role of the VRG in respiration. Discuss how it is involved in
either passive or active inspiration or expiration, and what breathing muscles it
controls. - ANSWER-Sends signal to internal intercostal muscles, which help ring rib
cage back in and down, therefore decreasing the volume of the thoracic cavity.
Activates accessory respiratory muscles (abdominal/oblique involved in forced
respiration). The diaphragm comes back up by itself; muscles in neck help expand
thoracic cavity. When we are speaking and we have to change intonation of the
voice, we engage VRG. Ex: During exercise, we increase the activity of
inspiration/expiration subconsciously due to VRG (increasing volume of air to lungs
or increasing volume of air that leaves).
Explain, in detail, the role of pre-BotC in respiration. - ANSWER-Pacemaker of
breathing; nerve projections of Pre-BotC go to DRG to set rhythm of inspiration.
Discuss how the pre-BotC was identified and what it is analogous to in the heart. -
ANSWER-We found out about Pre-BotC by taking brain of rat and made
slices/observed changes in breathing after each slice. At a point, there is no more
breathing, this is where the Pre-Bot C is. Analogous to the SA node in the heart.
Understand what an average respiratory rate (RR) is and how respiratory
depressants work. - ANSWER-12 breaths, normal range of 10-14 breaths/min
with Verified Answers
Discuss how the pharynx is involved in obstructive sleep apnea - ANSWER-We lose
muscle tone during certain phase of sleep (REM); tongue and uvula tend to sag and
starts to obstruct opening . Makes it difficult for air from nasal or oral cavity to get into
laryngeal pharynx. Causes you to startle awake then fall back asleep. REM sleep is
when most muscles are paralyzed and causes tongue to sag down and collapse the
throat muscles; can also happen in non-REM sleep.
Describe the structure and function of the larynx. - ANSWER-The voice box,
contains the glottis (i.e., vocal organ), which is the site of phonation (production of
speech).
Discuss, in general, the process of phonation. - ANSWER-Changing the tension on
the ligaments (Changing the tone) and the type of sound that's being generated.
Epiglottis - ANSWER-Elastic cartilage, prevents food/liquid from getting into the
respiratory tract.
Glottis - ANSWER-Vocal organ, opens and closes. We forcefully expire air and push
air through the glottis and vibrate these guitar strings and change the position of the
cartilages by contracting muscle, which changes the length/tension of the ligaments
so we can affect the sound/regenerate the pitch of sound).
Compare/contrast the structure and function of superior vs. inferior vocal folds. -
ANSWER-2 superior folds and 2 inferior folds. Folds of mucosa and submucosa,
also contain connective tissue (ligaments). If the superior folds close, it prevents
food/water from getting down into the trachea. Superior folds don't have any wall in
phonation; the inferior have walls. The superior are false vocal cords.
Trachea - ANSWER-The windpipe; the larynx opens into the trachea, which
branches into the primary (extrapulmonary) bronchi. Has a lot of cartilage rings (they
don't make up the entire circumference). Trachea bifurcates and opens up into two
muscles that are called the primary bronchi. The amount of cartilage decreases the
further we go down the respiratory tract, eventually disappearing. As you go down
the respiratory tract, the amount of smooth muscle increases. Trachea is located
posterior to the esophagus.
Primary Bronchi - ANSWER-Has sharper angle in reference to the trachea than the
right. Usually if something gets caught in the lungs, it will go to the right lung.
Referred to as extrapulmonary because they're primarily located outside of the lung
proper.
,Describe the gross (in situ) anatomy of the lung and their lobes. Identify the blood
vessels and respiratory tubes located in a lung hilum. - ANSWER-The right lung has
3 lobes and the left lung has 2 lobes. The hilum is an indented region that contains
important vessels. The pulmonary veins/pulmonary arteries, and primary bronchus
are in the hilum.
Identify the location of the parietal and visceral pleural membranes, the pleural
cavity, and discuss their functions. - ANSWER-Parietal pleural membrane is located
on the outside. The visceral pleural membrane lines the surface of the lungs itself.
The parietal peritoneal membrane lines the inside of the thoracic cavity and the
surface of the diaphragm, single layer of cells.
Pleural Cavity: Surrounds lungs, small space with serous fluid to reduce friction
when lungs inflate/deflate because they push against the thoracic wall.
Discuss the condition of pleurisy. - ANSWER-Inflammation of the pleural cavity.
Compare/contrast extrapulmonary vs. intrapulmonary bronchi. - ANSWER-
Extrapulmonary are located outside of the lung tissue proper while intrapulmonary
are located within the lung tissue proper. Primary bronchi are located in the
extrapulmonary while secondary bronchi are intrapulmonary.
Explain the structural organization of a bronchopulmonary segment, what respiratory
tube feeds it, and how many exist per each lung. - ANSWER-Each lobe of the lung is
subdivided by connective tissue into approximately ten functional units (each
supplied by a tertiary bronchus). The trachea feeds the segment. Primary bronchi
branch into secondary bronchi. The tertiary bronchi (approximately 10 on each lung)
feed the bronchopulmonary segments. There are 3 lobes on the left side and 2 lobes
on the right side.
Compare/contrast conducting vs. the respiratory zones. - ANSWER-Conducting
zone conducts air, everything above the trachea is involved in conducting air swap.
The respiratory zone is involved in gas exchange and is the zone that undergoes
respiration (gas exchange) and cellular respiration.
Describe the general organization of alveolar ducts and alveolar sacs. - ANSWER-
Alveolar ducts contain alveoli and alveolar sacs, which are little pores that prevent
the alveoli from collapsing. Contains visceral and parietal membranes on the outside.
Describe the pulmonary vasculature associated with alveolar sacs and understand
the vast surface area of alveoli and pulmonary capillaries. - ANSWER-Pulmonary
capillaries (came from pulmonary arteriole) carry deoxygenated blood and drain to
the veins/venules to the left atrium. Capillary beds are located on top of the alveoli.
Alveoli of lungs stretched out covers half a tennis court (massive surface area).
Describe, in detail, the anatomy of an alveolus. - ANSWER-3D shape, loaded with
elastic fibers on the outside (can expand by stretching elastic fibers). The elastic
fibers can stop expanding so it collapses (elastic fibers recoil). Also contain dust cells
(macrophages) that eat dust/bacteria.
, Compare/contrast type I vs. type II pneumocytes. - ANSWER-Type I: Involved in gas
exchange, capillary endothelial cells, and fused basement membranes.
Type 2: Septal cells that secrete pulmonary surfactant.
Draw, label, and describe the function of the respiratory membrane. - ANSWER-Very
thin barrier with protein mesh. Has 2 layers of cells so that gas exchange can occur
(diffusion is limited, most efficient within 2 cell layers). Alveolar epithelium covers it,
allows for exchange of O2 and CO2. Endothelial cells have protein beneath called
the basement membrane.
Describe the location of the primary respiratory center and the organization of its
nuclei (i.e., the dorsal respiratory group (DRG), the ventral respiratory group (VRG),
and the pre-Bötzinger complex (pre-BotC)). - ANSWER-The breathing, or respiration
centers, are located in the medulla oblongata (primary respiratory center) of the brain
stem. If medulla oblongata is damaged, we can't breathe. Respiration is controlled
both autonomically and subconsciously. The medulla contains the Pre-botC and the
VRG. Pre bot C is an aggregation of nerve cell bodies, VRG is located most ventral.
Explain, in detail, the role of the DRG in respiration. Discuss how it is involved in
either passive or active inspiration or expiration, and what breathing muscles it
controls. - ANSWER-When normally breathing, we are under control of DRG
(inspirations, breathe in). DRG sends signal to diaphragm and intercostal muscles
via the phrenic nerve and stimulates contraction. The lungs expand, which creates a
vacuum that draws air into the lungs. The diaphragm contracts and goes from dome
position to flat position, which increases the volume of the thoracic cavity. Breathing
out is a passive process, nothing needs to happen. Lungs passively recoil and we
expire.
Explain, in detail, the role of the VRG in respiration. Discuss how it is involved in
either passive or active inspiration or expiration, and what breathing muscles it
controls. - ANSWER-Sends signal to internal intercostal muscles, which help ring rib
cage back in and down, therefore decreasing the volume of the thoracic cavity.
Activates accessory respiratory muscles (abdominal/oblique involved in forced
respiration). The diaphragm comes back up by itself; muscles in neck help expand
thoracic cavity. When we are speaking and we have to change intonation of the
voice, we engage VRG. Ex: During exercise, we increase the activity of
inspiration/expiration subconsciously due to VRG (increasing volume of air to lungs
or increasing volume of air that leaves).
Explain, in detail, the role of pre-BotC in respiration. - ANSWER-Pacemaker of
breathing; nerve projections of Pre-BotC go to DRG to set rhythm of inspiration.
Discuss how the pre-BotC was identified and what it is analogous to in the heart. -
ANSWER-We found out about Pre-BotC by taking brain of rat and made
slices/observed changes in breathing after each slice. At a point, there is no more
breathing, this is where the Pre-Bot C is. Analogous to the SA node in the heart.
Understand what an average respiratory rate (RR) is and how respiratory
depressants work. - ANSWER-12 breaths, normal range of 10-14 breaths/min
