respiratory system function

3 subdivisions of respiratory
system

musculoelastic ventilation

functions of musculoelastic
ventilation apparatus

conducting portion

exchange of O and CO
between blood and atmosphere

1. musculoelastic ventilation
apparatus
2. conducting portion
3. respiratory portion

structures
-respiratory muscles; intercostals
and diaphragm
-elastic fibers (elastic recoil)
function
-bring air into and out of lung

bring air into and out of the

lung

structures
-nasal cavities
-pharynx
-larynx
-trachea
-bronchi
-terminal bronchioles

functions of the conducting

portion

mucosa of the conducting

portion

respiratory portion

respiratory membrane

nasal cavities structures

condition the air (warmed, cleansed,

and moistened or humidified)
-mucous
-cilia (beat rhythmically in one
direction)
-blood

-mucoas is pseudostratified
ciliated EPI with numerous
goblet cells
-submucosal glands
-serous glands
structures
-respiratory bronchioles
-alveolar ducts
-alveoli
-respiratory membrane
exchange of gases occurs
alveolar cellsspecialized basal
laminaendothelial cells
these are 0.5um thick

mucosa: filters, humidifies, warms air

factors involved in conditioning air
-goblet cells
-mucous glands
-serous glands
-paranasal sinuses (simple columnar EPI, like nasal EPI)
-lamina propria contains thin-walled venous plexus
-nasal conchae
pseudostratified ciliated EPI (respiratory EPI)
olfactory EPI in roof

nasal conchae (turbinates)

help mix air

venous plexus

warms air

Pharynx

structures
-nasopharynx
-oropharynx
-lamina propria
-serous glands

EPI of nasopharynx

pseudostratified ciliated

EPI of oropharynx

stratified squamous

CT of lamina propria

fibroelastic w/ lymphoid tissue

such as tonsils

serous glands

decrease viscosity of mucous

larynx

structure
-hyaline and elastic cartilage
-intrinsic skeletal muscles
-vocal cords
-glottis
-epiglottis

glottis

opening

epiglottis EPI

-stratified squamous

epiglottis CT

dense CT

vocal cord EPI

stratified squamous EPI

vocal cord CT

elastic tissue

similar histological features of

of trachea and primary bronchi

-mucosa
-lamina propria
-submucosa
-adventitia

trachea and primary bronchi

mucosa

4 cell types
-ciliated columnar
-goblet
-brush
-basal

brush cell

immature goblet cell

basal cell

stem cell

trachea and primary bronchi

lamina propria

-elastic
-reticular
-many lymphocytes

trachea and primary bronchi

submucosa

-serous glands
-mucous glands

trachea and primary bronchi

adventitia

-thickest
-thick layer of collagen
-large C-shaped hyaline
cartilage rings
-smooth muscle

C-shape cartilage in trachea

16-20 rings

C-shape cartilage in primary

trachea

8-10 rings

incomplete smooth muscle

tube is open

complete smooth muscle

tube is closed

intrapulmonary bronchi

secondary and tertiary

branches

5 histological changes as
branches become smaller
(intrapulmonary bronchi)

bronchioles

larger bronchioles

terminal bronchioles

terminal bronchiole

-cartilage plates decrease in number

and size
-circular bands of smooth muscle
develop
-goblet cell numbers decreases
-EPI cell height is decreasing
-fewer cilia cells

-no cartilage
-only smooth muscle, relative
increase in size of the smoother
muscle layer
-simple columnar ciliated EPI
-Clara cells

mucoserous glands in lamina

propria

-decreased muscle layer

-no goblet cells
-ciliated or non-ciliated
columnar EPI
-many Clara cells

give rise to 2 or more

respiratory bronchioles

respiratory bronchioles

-thin muscle layer

-ciliated simple cuboidal EPI
-many Clara cells

difference in terminal and

respiratory bronchiole wall

wall is not continuous,

interrupted by alveoli and
alveolar ducts

respiratory bronchiole

several alveolar ducts

alveolar duct

ends in alveolar sac

alveolar sac

chamber of for several alveoli

alveolus

-functional unit of the lung

-main site of gaseous
exchange
-thin walled
-2 types simple squamous EPI

any one of these will open into

alveolus

-alveolar sac
-alveolar duct
-respiratory bronchiole

alveolar septum

common wall between adjacent

alveoli

capillaries within alveolar wall

continuous endothelial lining

2 types of simple squamous EPI

-Type I alveolar cells

-Type II alveolar cells

Type I alveolar cells

-flat cells
-fused basal laminae and
endothelial cells
-few organelles

Type II alveolar cells

-cuboidal
-microvilli
-produce surfactant

surfactant

decreases surface tension to

prevent collapse of alveoli

alveolar macrophages

gas exchange

-engulf bacteria and

particulate matter
-lie free within alveoli
-come from monocytes

-takes place at the alveolarcapillary interface

-large surface area

diffusion occurs readily due to

morphology of lungs

-thinness
-large size

-organs of respiration
-thoracic cavity
-surrounded by 2 layer serous
membranepleura
-serous fluid acts as lubricant