1
Q
True or False: The respiratory system only includes the lungs
A
False
2
Q
What are the 5 regions in the spine?
A
- Cervical
- Thoracic
- Lumbar
- Scral
- Coccygeal
3
Q
What do the regions of the spine do?
A
Keep everything in place
4
Q
How many bones are stacked vertically on top of each other in the spinal column?
A
32/33
5
Q
How long is the spinal column?
A
72-75cm
6
Q
How are the bones in the Cervical region numbered?
A
C1-C7
7
Q
What is a nickname for C1 and why?
A
Atlas, because it holds the weight of the world
8
Q
What is C2 known as?
A
Axis
9
Q
How many vertebrae are in the Thoracic region?
A
12, numbered T1-T12
10
Q
How many fused vertebrae are in the Sacral region?
A
5
11
Q
What are there 3 of in the Coccygeal region?
A
Fused vertebrae
12
Q
How many pairs of ribs are there?
A
12, numbered R1-R12
13
Q
True or False: the ribs connect anteriorly at the spinal column
A
False - they connnect POSTERIORLY at the spinal column
14
Q
Where do the ribs connect anteriorly?
A
At the sternum (breastbone)
15
Q
How do the ribs connect with the sternum?
A
Via costal cartilage
16
Q
True or False: The ribs do not connect posteriorly to the spinal column via costal cartilage
A
True - this is how the ribs connect anteriorly to the sternum
17
Q
How is the pelvis involved in the respiratory system?
A
It works in tandem with the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to control intra-abdominal pressure and facilitate breathing
18
Q
What is the trachea made up of?
A
C-shaped rings (not circles, don’t fully meet)
19
Q
What is the position of the trachea in relation to the spinal column numbers?
A
C6-T5
20
Q
True or False: The trachea is inferior to cricoid cartilage
A
True
21
Q
What is inside the trachea?
A
Mucous membrane containing cilia
22
Q
Do cilia line the trachea?
A
Yes
23
Q
Do cilia and mucous membrane work together? How?
A
The mucus traps irritants and the cilia lined along the trachea move foreign particles up and out of the airways to be coughed or swallowed
24
Q
What is the cricoid cartilage?
A
The ring-shaped cartilage of the larynx.
25
What are the 3 functions of the cricoid cartilage?
- Rigid structure that keeps the trachea from collapsing
- Serve as an attachment point for muscles and ligaments that control breathing and speech
- Provide a key landmark for medical procedures like intubation and cricothyroidotomy.
26
Does the trachea branch off?
Yes, it origianlly branches off into 2 bronchial tubes, and then continues to divide until microscopic in size
27
Are the bronchial tubes cartilaginous or smooth muscle?
More so smooth muscle
28
Are the bronchial tubes big? How big/small?
Half the diameter of the trachea?
29
Are the left and right bronchi exactly the same?
No, the left bronchus is longer, more horizontal and thinner
the right bronchus is shorter, more vertical and wider
30
True or False: the left bronchus is shorter, more vertical and wider than the right bronchus
False - it's the opposite
31
With which bronchus is aspiration pneumonia more associated? Why is this?
The right side because it is more vertical than the left bronchus meaning that food can fall into these bronchial tubes quite easily and cause infection
32
What is the primary muscle aiding respiration?
Diaphragm
33
What happens when the diaphragm contracts?
The thoracic cavity increases
34
What does the diaphragm seperate?
Seperates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
35
Why is the right side of the diaphragm higher than the left side?
The liver on the left
36
What are intercostal muscles?
Muscles inbetween the ribs
37
Do intercostal muscle fibres run in the same direction?
No, internal and external intercostal muscle fibres run diagonally to each other
- External --> downward and forward
- Internal --> downward and backward
38
What are the lungs made of?
Spongy, porous tissue
39
Are the lungs exactly the same?
No, the right is larger than the left because of the position of the heart on the left
40
What are the lobes of the lungs?
Superior, inferior (and middle in the right lung)
41
What is the pleura?
Membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity, acting as a cushion and reducing friction during breathing
42
True or False: each lung has a seperate pleura
True, this is so that damage to one does not damage the other
43
What is the parietal pleura?
Lining the ribs (outer)
44
What is the visceral pleura?
Covering the lungs (inner)
45
What is the pleural cavity?
The space between the layers of pleurae
46
What is pleural linkage?
Binds lungs to interior of rib cage
47
What is surfactant?
Fluid that lines alveoli which lowers surface tension to prevent the alveoli from collapsing
48
What is it called when the alveoli collapse?
Atelectasis
49
Could surfactant be given artificially?
Sometimes
50
What is breathing controlled by?
Brainstem (automatic)
Cerebral cortex (voluntary breathing)
51
What are the two main nerves involved in breathing?
1. Phrenic
2. Vagus
52
What part of the respiratory system does the Phrenic nerve control?
Makes the diaphragm move so you can breathe in and out.
53
What is the position of the Phrenic nerve in relation to the spinal column?
C3-C5
54
What part of the respiratory system does the Vagus nerve control?
Larynx - motor and sensory
55
What does innervates mean?
Supply (an organ or other body part) with nerves.
56
What important part of speech is in the larynx?
Vocal folds
57
What does the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN) control?
Most of the muscles that open and close your vocal cords
58
What are the two branches of the Vagus nerve?
1. Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN)
2. Superior Laryngeal Nerve (SLN)
59
What are the sensory functions of the Larynx?
Feels what’s going on in and around the vocal cords.
60
What is Boyle's law?
Assuming the tempreature is kept consant, volume and pressure will be inversely related to each other
61
Describe 4 steps for inhalation in relation to Boyle's Law
1. Diaphragm contracts
2. Intercostal muscles lift
3. Thoracic cavity gets bigger, i.e. lung volume increases
4. Air flows into the lungs because the pressue inside the lungs becomes lower than atmospheric pressure
62
Describe Exhalation in relation to Boyle's Law
1. Diaphragm relaxes
2. Ribcage falls
3. Thoracic cavity gets smaller, i.e. lung volume decreases
4. Air is pushed out of the lungs because the pressure inside the lungs becomes higher than atmospheric pressure
63
Does the number of breaths per minute ever change?
Yes, it increases during more strenuous activity
64
True or False: the lungs are usually completely full or empty
False - this is very rare
65
Is it a good thing if the lungs never fully empty?
Yes, this keeps alveoli inflated for gas exchange
66
What is lung volume?
Individual measurable amounts of air
67
What is lung capacity?
Amount of volume is actually used
combinations of these volumes
68
Why is it important for SLTs to think about lung volumes and capacities?
Assess how much air a person can use
Monitors respiratory-speech interaction.
Guides therapy to improve airflow control and safety.
Poor breath-swallow timing is an aspiration risk
69
What are the 4 lung volumes?
1. Tidal Volume (TV)
2. Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
3. Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
4. Residual Volume (RV)
70
What is Tidal Volume?
The air exchanged during normal respiratory cycle at rest
71
What is the average ml of air exchanged during the normal respiratory cycle (TV) of adult females and males?
450ml for females
600ml for males
72
Explain IRV
The amount of extra air that can be inhaled after a normal inhale (TV)
73
Explain ERV
The amount of extra air that can be forced out after a normal exhale (TV)
74
Explain RV
The air left in your lungs after full exhalation/ you've breathed out as much as possible
75
Can you control the amount of RV left in your lungs?
NO - Residual volume is the air that always stays in your lungs, even after you’ve breathed out as much as you possibly can.
76
Why does RV stay in the lungs?
It is the “air cushion” that keeps your lungs open and stops them from collapsing.
77
What are the 4 lung capacities?
1. Inspiratory Capacity (IC)
2. Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)
3. Vital Capacity (VC)
4. Total Lung Capacity (TLC)
78
What are the lung volumes combined to measure for Inspiratory Capacity (IC)?
TV + IRV
Tidal Volume + Inspiratory Reserve Volume
79
What lung volumes combine to measure for Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)
TV + ERV
Tidal Volume + Expiratory Reserve Volume
80
What lung volumes combine to measure for Vital Capacity (VC)
TV + IRV + ERV
Tidal Volume + Inspiratory Reserve Volume + Expiratory Reserve Volume
81
What lung volumes combine to measure for Total Capacity (TC)
TV + IRV +ERV + RV
Tidal Volume + Inspiratory Reserve Volume + Expiratory Reserve Volume + Residual Volume
82
Explain Inspiratory Capacity?
The amount of air that can be inhaled with maximal effort after a normal inhale
83
Explain Functional Residual Capacity
The air left in the lungs after a normal exhale
84
Explain Vital Capacity (VC)
The maximum amount of air you can move in and out of the lungs
85
Explain Total Lung Capacity (TC)
The maximum amount of air the lungs can hold
86
What is the average breaths pm for an adult at rest?
12-18
87
How do you calculate the air exchanged per minute?
TV x Breaths pm
e.g.
600ml x 12 = 7.2L of air per minute
88
What do alveolar cells do?
Let your lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with your blood.
89
Why is it important that oxygen reaches all parts of your body?
Without oxygen, cells can’t make enough energy, and tissues start to fail.
90
True or False: Blue tissue means a part of the body is oxygen-rich
False - blue means something doesn't have enough oxygen, red means it is oxygen rich
91
What is the normal range of oxygen saturation?
95-100%
92
What is subglottic pressure?
Pressue that build up below the vocal folds
93
What happens when there is enough subglottic pressure?
Vocal folds are forced open to vibrate for speech
94
How much subglottic pressure is necessary for initiation and maintenance of vocal fold vibration?
5-8cm
95
Infants' respiratory is the same as adults'
False - it is slightly different because of the size differences
96
How is the airway protected in the respiratory system of an infant? (3)
1. More fat and skin folds around the neck
2. Occipital bone keeps the chin tilted down
3. Larynx and Pharynx are more compressed
97
How does an infant's ribcage shape differ to that of an adult's?
It is more horizontal, soft, and flexible
98
Why is an infant's chest wall not as stable as an adult's?
Their ribs have not fully ossified
99
Do infants favour nasal or oral breathing?
Nasal
100
What is the ratio for suck-swallow-breathe patterns at first and how does it differ as they age?
1:1:1
3:1:1 at one month
101
True or False: the epiglottis and the soft palate touch in adults?
False - this only happens with infants
102
Why do the epiglottis and the soft palate touch in infants?
It allows the trachea to remain open to allow constant breathing during sucking
103
What does COPD stand for
Chronnic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
104
What is COPD a combination of?
Emphysema + Chronic Bronchitis
105
What causes COPD?
Overproduction and build-up of mucus
106
What does bronchitis mean for the bronchial tube?
Narrowing
107
What is emphysema?
A progressive lung condition that damages the alveoli in the lungs
108
What is COPD?
A common lung disease causing restricted airflow and breathing problems
109
What problems does COPD cause for speech?
- Reduced phrase length
- Easily fatigued
- Reduced subglottic pressure
110
What problems does Congestive Heart Failure cause for speech?
- Decreased lung volume
- Decreased subglottic pressure
- Wet/gurgly voice
- Persistent cough
111
Explain congestive heart failure caused?
When the heart doesn't empty its chambers so the blood returning to the heart cannot enter. Blood backs up in the veins and pools.
112
If blood backs up on the left side of the heart, which organ does this then affect?
The lungs
113
What does a build-up of fluid in the alveoli prevent?
Gas exchange
114
If too much fluid builds up in the lungs, what could this cause?
Pulmonary congestion/oedema
115
What are two things that could cause congestive heart failure?
- High blood pressure
- Coronary artery disease
116
What is the left side of the heart responsible for?
Moving oxygenated blood around the body
117
What is pneumonia?
Infection of lungs, where alveoli become inflamed and filled with fluid
118
What causes aspiration pneumonia?
Foreign irritants entering the lungs, introducing bacteria which can lead to infection
119
What are signs that the LUNGS are reacting to an infection?
- Yellow mucus
- Tightened chest
- Cough
120
What are signs that the BODY are reacting to an infection?
- Fever
- Breathlessness
- Fatigued
121
Why is tiredness and breathlessness a symptom of lung infection?
The infection affects how well your lungs can transfer oxygen into the bloodstream
122
What is the nickname for Laryngomalacia?
Floppy airway
123
What is the scientific name for 'floppy airway'?
Laryngomalacia
124
What is a stridor sound?
An abnormal, high-pitched, noisy sound heard during breathing, caused by a partial blockage or narrowing of the upper airway, e.g. wheezing or whistling
125
What is Laryngomalacia?
A common congenital condition where the soft tissue in the larynx (voice box) above the vocal cords is floppy, causing it to collapse inward and obstruct the airway during inhalation.
126
What disease causes Stridor sounds?
Laryngomalacia
127
Does Laryngomalacia fix itself?
Yes, usually within 1-2 years of life
128
Who does Laryngomalacia affect?
Babies
129
What is muscular dystrophy?
Progressive muscle fibre degeneration and weakness, including the muscles used for breathing
130
What causes muscular dystrophy?
Lack of dystrophin proteins
131
How does muscular dystrophy affect speech?
Decreased respiratory support for speech
Thoracic cavity is not as big because person is slumped because their muscles are weak and can’t keep them up straight
132
What SLT disorders can muscular dystrophy cause?
Flaccid dysarthria
133
At what part of the spinal cord can an injury significantly affect breathing?
C3-C5
134
Why do spinal cord injuries at C3-C5 impact breathing
Nerves that control the diaphragm are located in this region.
135
What are the impacts of a damaged ANS?
Difficulties regulating breathing rhythm, heart rate, and blood pressure
136
Which nerve exits the spinal cord between C3-C5
Phrenic nerve
137
Why do people experience exhaustion and/or breathlessness even when lying flat with a spinal cord injury?
The diaphragm isn't able to contract strongly enough to draw in a full breath, especially without help from gravity or chest muscles
138
What can spinal cord injuries mean for SLT?
Weakness or paralysis of respiratory muscles for speech, breathing, swallowing
Weak cough - absence of control requiring full ventilation
139
What is multiple sclerosis?
An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that protects nerves in the brain and spinal cord, disrupting nerve signals
140
What does MS do to the nerves?
Lesions in oligodendroglia resulting in disrupted myelin
141
What is sclerosis?
Scar tissue/MS plaques forms in place of Myelin
142
How does MS impact speech?
- Dysfunctional neural control of expiratory muscles
- Reduced strength
- Reduced subglotticpressure
- Symptoms also affect side effects of meds
143
How to describe Parkinson's Disease?
A progressive disorder of CNS
A loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain.
144
Symptoms of Parkinson's?
- Bradykinesia
- Rigidity
- Resting tremor
145
How does Parkinson's affect SLT?
Decreased VC
Decreased Chest wall movement
Decreased respiratory muscle strength
Poor breath inhalation (Take breaths within sentences where its not usual)
Poor coordination of breathing for speech (don’t have breath for an entire utterance)
Weak, quiet voice
146
How do people with MND usually die?
Respiratory failure
147
What does MND cause?
- Shortness of breath
- Reducaed VC
- Reduced subglottic pressure
148
Explain MND
The nerves that tell the muscles to move gradually stop working, so the muscles become weaker and eventually waste away
149
How does MND affect breathing?
As breathing muscles weaken, it becomes harder to take in a deep breath or fully empty the lungs, which leads to breathlessness, especially when lying down or during any activity — even talking.
150
How does MND affect speech?
The weakness in the chest and throat muscles means they can’t build up enough pressure under the vocal cords, which is needed to make speech clear and strong. That’s why their voice sounds quieter or trails off mid-sentence — they simply don’t have the muscular strength to push enough air through.
151
Why is subglottic pressure important?
Helps with speech, coughing, and clearing of throat. When the pressure drops due to muscle weakness, it can also increase the risk of chest infections, because coughing becomes less effective
152
What is a tracheotomy?
A surgical procedure to create an opening in the neck into the trachea to help with breathing
153
What is a tracheostomy?
The hole created by a tracheotomy
154
What pathologies might require ventilation at the acute onset stage/progressive stage?
MND
Parkinson's
MS
Spinal cord injury
Duchenne's
Laryngomalacia
Pneumonia
Congestive Heart Failure
COPD
155
What is a short-term alternative to Tracheotomy?
Endotracheal intubation (via the mouth)
156
Where is the incision for a tracheotomy created?
2nd/3rd tracheal rings
157
What does a tracheotomy prevent air from doing?
Exiting through the mouth or nose
158
What's the most important feature of a tracheostomy tube?
Inflated cuff
159
True or False: the tracheostomy tube sits below the vocal folds
True
160
What is the most important thing when using a one-way speaking valve
Remembering to deflate the cuff
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
flashcards
Decks in class (11)
# Cards
-
Nervous System105
-
Respiratory System160
-
L1 - Struc & Sys for SLHSw108
-
L3 - Pathologies of Nervous System216
-
L5 - Phonatory System146
-
L6 - Articulatory and Resonance System187
-
L7 - Auditory and Vestibular System166
-
L8 - Adult Dysphagia118
-
L9 - Paediatric EDS204
-
L10 - Gastrointestinal and Digestive System169
-
L11 - Cardiovascular System196
