Unit 4 Lab: Respiratory System Instructions

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

If you have any questions, need further clarification, or experience any problems completing this lab, please reach out to your instructor for assistance.

Respiratory Anatomy

Link https://human.biodigital.com/edit?id=3Weo

Alveoli Anatomy

Which structure is the end of the conducting division of the respiratory system?

Answer bronchiole

The alveolus is an essential structure in the lungs because it is responsible for

Answer gas exchange

What type of respiration occurs at this site?

Answer External respiration

Explain what gases are involved in this type of respiration and discuss in what direction each of the gases is moving and why they move in that direction.

Answer. In external respiration, oxygen diffuses the respiratory membrane of the alveoli into the capillaries while carbon dioxide diffuses out of the capillary into the alveolus. The process is facilitated by partial pressure variation in oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the capillaries.

Pulmonary Ventilation

1. The lungs are increasing in volume due to the contraction of the primary inspiratory muscles, which are the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles.
2. If the primary inspiratory muscles need assistance, the accessory inspiratory muscles will be recruited, which consist of what muscles? Scalenes, Sternocleidomastoid, Pectoralis major and minor, Serratus anterior and Latissimus dorsi.
3. The primary inspiratory muscle contraction is responsible for an increase in volume and therefore, a decrease in pressure. This inverse relationship between these two factors describes Boyle’s
4. Air will flow into the lungs when the environment external to the lungs’ pressure is higher than the environment within the lungs’
5. Expiration is described as a passive process, due to the inspiratory muscles relaxing and the thoracic cage falling back down.
6. If forced expiration is to occur, what muscles will be recruited to assist in expiration? Accessory muscles.
7. Air will flow out of the lungs when the lungs’ internal pressure is higher than the external environment outside the lungs’

Respiratory Pathology

Bronchitis

Bronchitis occurs as a result of inflammation of the lining of the bronchi and bronchi. It results in narrowing of the respiratory passage creating breathing problem. Similarly, as a result of inflammation, there is over-secretion of mucus which blocks the airflow.

Emphysema

Emphysema is a disease of the lungs that affect the alveoli. In this condition, the alveolar walls are collapsed, leading to the formation of sizeable alveolar air spaces. The reduction in the number of alveolar walls similarly leads to a decline in the surface area for gaseous exchange hence limiting oxygen uptake into the bloodstream. In addition, when alveoli collapse, they cannot support the bronchial tubes. The tubes break down and result in blockage, which traps air inside the lungs when too much air is trapped patients acquire a barrel-chested appearance.