Breathe Easy Trivia Quiz

Answer: Trachea

The trachea is known colloquially as the windpipe, and is the vertical tube (when you are standing) that passes from the larynx at the top of your neck down to the junction with the primary bronchi in your chest. The trachea is cartilaginous, meaning that it is structurally reinforced with cartilage.

Answer: Parietal pleura

The lungs are protected within two sacs known as pulmonary pluerae. The inner layer is called the visceral pleura and actually lies on the lungs themselves. The parietal pleura is on the outside, both providing further protection and attaching the sac to inner wall of the thoracic cavity (the area roughly contained within the ribcage).

Answer: Lungs

Humans, like all other mammals, have two lungs that are the primary organs of respiration. Other animals have alternative methods of getting oxygen into their bloodstream. For example, fish have gills because they gather their oxygen from water rather than air.

Answer: Primary bronchi

Within the structure of the lungs, bronchi (singular 'bronchus') are passageways that allow air into and out of the lungs. They are supported by cartilage, and are thus larger than their smaller, non-cartilaginous counterparts, the bronchioles. The primary bronchi come from the trachea, but these split into secondary and tertiary bronchi within the lungs.

Answer: Red blood cells

The structure of the respiratory system is such that gas exchange can occur between the air that is inhaled and the blood flowing around the body. The most important components of blood in terms of oxygen transport are the red blood cells, as they contain the oxygen transport protein hemoglobin.

Answer: Bronchiole

Bronchioles are the smallest airways within the lungs, reaching diameters of less than 1 mm. Most bronchioles are not involved directly in gas exchange, but the smallest (termed 'respiratory bronchioles') contain the alveoli in which gas exchange occurs.

Answer: Pulmonary artery

Whilst you may only think of airways when you consider the respiratory system, the other side of gas exchange (blood) is equally important to keeping you alive. The pulmonary artery is unique among the body's arteries as it transports deoxygenated blood, whilst others pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

Answer: Pharynx

The 'conducting zone' of the respiratory system is the part that is involved in transporting and conditioning air, rather than gas exchange (the ultimate function of the system). This includes everything from the nose down to the bronchioles, with the pharynx forming a central part.

The pharynx is usually divided into the nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the laryngopharynx, the last of which is the region adjacent to the opening of the trachea.

Answer: Alveolus

An alveolus (plural 'alveoli') is a small membranous sac where the main event of respiration takes place. The sac looks something like a bunch of grapes and is covered with tiny blood vessels. When the alveolus fills with air, gas exchange occurs between the air in the sac and the blood on the surface. Magic!

Answer: Pulmonary vein

Although this question uses the singular, there are actually four main pulmonary veins that carry oxygenated blood into the heart. Freshly oxygenated, this blood is then pumped around the body to provide oxygen where it is needed.