The Respiratory System and Pulmonary Circulation Quiz

Answer: Olfactory Mucosa

Gas exchange is where oxygen is transported from the air to the blood so it can be delivered to our organs. It is also the removal of waste carbon dioxide from the blood, where it is the expirated into the air. The gases move by diffusion between blood capillaries and alveoli.

Speech and smell are secondary functions of the respiratory system. When air passes over the olfactory mucosa it gives rise to our sense of smell.

Air passing through the larynx is responsible for speech, hence why it is also known as the voicebox.

Answer: All of these options

The conducting portion of the respiratory system warms, moistens and filters inspired air. This is known as conditioning.

Body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius, but inspired air is rarely at this temperature, so this is why the air is warmed. The air is moistened as it helps with absorption and diffusion, hence why breath is very humid. It is filtered to remove anything harmful to the lungs and body.

The respiratory portion of the respiratory system contains thin, moist delicate membranes across which gas exchange occurs.

Answer: False

The pharynx is located posterior to (behind) the mouth and nasal cavity, whereas the larynx is located just inferior to (below) the part of the pharynx where it splits into the trachea and the oesophagus.

The pharynx is part of both respiratory and digestive systems, and so a flap of tissue lying posterior to it closes the trachea during swallowing. This flap of tissue is known as the epiglottis. This is why you cannot swallow and breathe at the same time.

Answer: To the lung lobes

The trachea first splits into two primary bronchi which lead to the left and right lung.

Primary bronchi then divide into secondary bronchi, which lead to the lobes of the lung. The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle and inferior) and the left lung has two lobes (superior and inferior). The left lung only has two lobes as the area where the middle lobe would be is home to the heart instead.

Secondary bronchi then divide into tertiary bronchi which lead to the subdivisions of the lobes, known as segments.

Tertiary bronchi divide into bronchioles which eventually divide into terminal bronchioles, leading to the alveoli where gas exchange takes place.

Answer: True

The respiratory tract can be subdivided into upper and lower. The upper respiratory tract consists of the nose down to the trachea, whereas the lower respiratory tract consists of everything from the bronchi down to the alveoli.

Answer: Cardiovascular System

As the respiratory system provides oxygen, it does have links with the function of everything in the human body.

However, it has a strong link with the cardiovascular system, as blood acts as the transport medium for oxygen and carbon dioxide. It brings deoxygenated blood to the lungs and transports oxygenated blood back to the heart, ready to be pumped around the body.

Answer: Deoxygenated blood to the lungs, oxygenated blood to the heart

Deoxygenated blood is pumped from the heart to the lung capillaries. Here, gas exchange takes place and carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen binds to haemoglobin. The blood, now oxygenated, goes back to the heart. This is known as pulmonary circulation.

When the oxygenated blood reaches the heart, it is pumped to the tissue capillaries in the rest of the body. Here, gas exchange takes place, with oxygen being delivered to the tissues. Finally, the deoxygenated blood returns to the heart and the cycle begins again. This is known as systemic circulation.

Answer: They carry deoxygenated blood

Every artery in the human body except pulmonary arteries carries oxygenated blood. For this reason, the definition of an artery is a vessel which carries blood AWAY from the heart.

Every vein in the human body carries oxygenated blood, except for pulmonary veins. As above, for this reason, the definition of a vein is a vessel which carries blood TOWARDS the heart.

Pulmonary arteries divide, following branching patterns of bronchi, i.e. to the lungs, to the lobes, to the segments. This means each lung segment is an independent unit with its own air and blood supply.

Answer: Medial Intercostal Muscle

External intercostal muscle is on the outside, followed by the internal intercostal muscles, and finally, the innermost intercostal muscles.

Located in the inferior portion of a rib is the subcostal groove where the intercostal vein, artery and nerve all run along. These run between the internal and innermost layers of intercostal muscle.

Answer: True

The diaphragm plays a major role in breathing and separates the thorax from the abdomen. The diaphragm contracts during inspiration allowing more air to flow into the lungs. It relaxes during expiration forcing air out of the lungs.

It has a right and a left dome, and the right dome is higher up due to the heart being on the left side.