Order the airways from the mouth to the gas exchange surface.
Reveal answer
- trachea
- bronchus
- bronchiole
- alveolus
Key words: bronchus · bronchiole · alveolus
2(g) GAS EXCHANGE · RECALL
2.46 Structure of the thorax
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What do the pleural membranes do?
Reveal answer
Line the thorax and lungs and make lubricating fluid that reduces friction.
Key words: friction
Why does the trachea have cartilage rings?
Reveal answer
Cartilage holds the airway open → it does not collapse when pressure falls.
Key words: open
Name the parts of the thorax used in breathing.
Reveal answer
Ribs, intercostal muscles, diaphragm, pleural membranes, lungs.
Key words: ribs · intercostal · diaphragm
What is meant by the term thorax?
Reveal answer
Chest region containing lungs and heart.
Key words: thorax
What is meant by the term trachea?
Reveal answer
Main airway carrying air toward and from the bronchi.
Key words: trachea
What is meant by the term bronchiole?
Reveal answer
A small airway branch leading toward alveoli.
Key words: bronchiole
What is meant by the term pleural membrane?
Reveal answer
One of two membranes surrounding a lung and lining the thorax.
Key words: pleural membrane
What is meant by the term mucociliary clearance?
Reveal answer
Movement of mucus and trapped material by cilia toward the throat.
Key words: mucociliary clearance
Thoracic structures: for Trachea and bronchi, give the location/form and the function.
Reveal answer
Location/form: Cartilage-supported tubes. Function: Conduct air and resist collapse.
Key words: Trachea and bronchi
Thoracic structures: for Bronchioles, give the location/form and the function.
Reveal answer
Location/form: Small branching airways. Function: Distribute air; smooth muscle regulates resistance.
Key words: Bronchioles
Thoracic structures: for Alveoli, give the location/form and the function.
Reveal answer
Location/form: Microscopic air sacs. Function: Gas exchange with capillaries.
Key words: Alveoli
Thoracic structures: for Ribs/intercostals, give the location/form and the function.
Reveal answer
Location/form: Chest-wall bones and muscles. Function: Protect and alter thoracic volume.
Key words: Ribs/intercostals
Thoracic structures: for Diaphragm, give the location/form and the function.
Reveal answer
Location/form: Muscular sheet below lungs. Function: Changes thoracic volume.
Key words: Diaphragm
Thoracic structures: for Pleural membranes, give the location/form and the function.
Reveal answer
Location/form: Double membrane with fluid. Function: Reduce friction and couple lung to chest wall.
Key words: Pleural membranes
True or false, and why? “Air enters the lungs through the oesophagus.”
Reveal answer
False. It travels through trachea, bronchi and bronchioles.
True or false, and why? “Pleural fluid fills the alveoli.”
Reveal answer
False. It forms a thin lubricating layer between pleural membranes.
True or false, and why? “Cartilage forms complete rings around the trachea.”
Reveal answer
False. Tracheal cartilage is typically C-shaped, allowing support and oesophageal expansion.