1 | P a g e

Respiratory System Notes:

General Overview:



wiki.medpedia.com/Formoterol











2 | P a g e
Respiratory System






Conducting Zone Respiratory Zone
(site of gas exchange)
(Nose, Pharynx, Larynx, Bronchi (bronchioles, alveolar
and Bronchioles) ducts/saccules, alveoli)

















http://webanatomy.net/histology/respiratory/respiratory_zones.jpg

3 | P a g e
*Note: respiratory epithelium
(AKA pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium w/Goblet Cells)*

Conducting Zone:

I. Nose/Nasal Septum
2 nasal cavity separated by a cartilaginous (hyaline) nasal septum w/a mucus
membrane.


http://calder.med.miami.edu/pointis/normbr.html

1. inside cavities: EPI THELI UM changes
to stratified squamous non-keratinized pseudostratified ciliated
columnar type with goblet cells in the inner respiratory region.
a. epithelium sits on a lamina propria with serous and mucus
glands , and HYALINE cartilage















4 | P a g e
2. cavities also lined with olfactory epithelium (ciliated):
a. Cells = sustenacular cells, olfactory cells, basal cells
b. Glands of Bowman and Ducts
Blue arrow - Sustantacular cell;
Red arrow - Olfactory Cell (Bipolar Neuron);
Green arrow - Basal Cell

3. bony projections from wall of nasal cavity = nasal conchae
a. covered by respiratory epithelium (pseudostratified ciliated
columnar with goblet cells)
b. with a lamina propria containing numerous collapsed veins


5 | P a g e
II. Epiglottis
flap-like projection, covered by a mucus membrane; sits on top of the larynx
(Be able to identify the laryngeal from the pharyngeal side)












1. epithelium = stratified squamous non-keratinized EXCEPT for a
smaller circular patch of respiratory epithelium
(in the laryngeal opening)
2. core of ELASTIC cartilage and mixed glands = in lamina propria on
the (laryngeal side)


6 | P a g e
III. Larynx
connects the pharynx and trachea; contains hyaline cartilages bound together by
connective tissue and the vocal cords
Be able to identify true from false vocal chords
















1. All lined with:
a. pseudostratified ciliated columnar = (i.e. larynx including
false vocal cords (sit superior to true vocal cords))

EXCEPT

b. stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium = true vocal cords

7 | P a g e
2. TrueVocal chords = folds in the mucus membrane, covered by stratified
squamous non-keratinized epithelium

a. layer of fibroelastic connective tissues
AND
b. a core of skeletal muscle











Vocal Chords Continued:



Red arrow True Vocal Chords;
Blue arrow - Transition from False to True Vocal cords

Yellow arrow - True Vocal Cords (Non-keratinized stratified squamous) Green
Arrow - False Vocal Cord (Psuedostratified Ciliated); Black arrow - Transition
Point; Red arrow Cilia; Orange arrow - Skeletal Muscle (True Vocal Cords)
8 | P a g e
IV. Trachea
connects larynx and bronchi; shares an adventitia with the esophagus
















3 Major Layers:

1. MUCUS MEMBRANE = respiratory epithelium (pseudostratified ciliated
columnar epithelium w/goblet cells), a lamina propria and a distinct elastic lamina
























9 | P a g e
2. SUBMUCOSA = respiratory epithelium, lamina propria w/mucus glands, elastic
lamina, hyaline cartilage and mucus and mixed glands

*NOTE: hyaline cartilages = horseshoe shaped;
between ends of cartilages ring = fibroelastic connective tissue and smooth
muscle


































3. ADVENTI TI A=connective tissue shared with the esophagus


10 | P a g e
Bronchial Tree
IV. Bronchi (Overview)

Note: Cartilage Rings = Hyaline Cartilage (as continued from the trachea)

**Will ONLY See 3
0
Bronchi in LAB**

Trachea ends - dividing into 3 branches:
1
0
or Extrapulmonary Bronchi

2
o
or Lobar Bronchi

3
0
or Segmental Bronchi.

1
0
Bronchi enter the lungs, and branch to each lobe =
2
o
or Lobar Bronchi.
2
o
Bronchi will branch and enter the lungs as
3
0
or Segmental Bronchi.



















11 | P a g e
1. Primary (Extrapulmonary Bronchi): extension of trachea
(found outside lungs)
Same histology as the trachea
a. smaller diameter
b. a continuous ring of cartilage

2. Secondary (Lobar Bronchi):
(extending from inside to outside of lungs)
Same as primary bronchi
EXCEPT
a. walls = irregular shaped cartilage
b. a complete layer of smooth muscle around the tube



















Red dotted Line Bronchus; Yellow arrow - Plates Of Cartilage













12 | P a g e
3. Tertiary (Segmental Bronchi): (found deepest in lung)
a. folded respiratory epithelial lining (contraction of smooth muscle)
b. mucus glands are found between the muscle and segmented
cartilage
White dotted line - Bronchus
Blue arrow - Cartilage Plate



13 | P a g e
Respiratory Zone:

I. Bronchioles

http://img.tfd.com/dorland/thumbs/bronchiole_terminal.jpg

3
0
or Segmental Bronchi - dividing into 3 branches:

Primary (Preterminal)

Secondary(Terminal)

Tertiary (Respiratory)
Bronchioles contain: NO cartilage, goblet cells, or mucus glands

Bronchiole epithelium: simple columnar ciliated epithelium,
non-ciliated Clara Cells (secrete a surfactant),
a lamina propria and
smooth muscle layer

14 | P a g e
A. Primary (Preterminal): folded layer of epithelium




B. Secondary (Terminal): flattened epithelial layer



















Red arrow - Respiratory Bronchiole; Blue arrow - Terminal
Bronchiole



Red arrow - Terminal Bronchiole;
Blue arrow - Respiratory Bronchiole


15 | P a g e
C. Tertiary (Respiratory): walls of bronchioles become
discontinuous

a. outpocketings in walls lead to areas of gas exchange
b. free terminations open into straight spaces (alveolar ducts)























16 | P a g e
II. Inside Respiratory Zone:

A. Alveolar Ducts: straight spaces continuous with the free terminations or
the respiratory bronchioles
Green arrow - Alveolar Duct; Blue arrow - Alveolar Sac


B. Alveolar Saccules: round spaces (like a bunch of grapes)
communicating with the ducts and the alveoli


















17 | P a g e
C. Alveoli: spur-like partitions around periphery of saccules

1. Interalveolar wall: contains capillary endothelial cells

3 Cell Types:

a. Pneumocyte Type I: very thin squamous cell type;
Function = gas exchange

b. Pneumocyte Type II: rounded cell with cytoplasmic granules
Function = produces pulmonary surfactant

c. Alveolar Phagocytes (Dust Cells): seen at surface of the wall/ or in
the free space
Function = lung macrophages