Key Takeaways

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The upper airway involves the nose, pharynx, and larynx. • There is a conducting zone and a respiratory zone in the airways. The conducting zone conducts air and the respiratory zone exchanges gases. • There are three major alveolar cells: type I cells, type II cells, and alveolar macrophages. • A bronchopulmonary segment has its own terminal bronchiole and its own arterial supply. • The respiratory centers are contained with the medulla and the pons. • There are several gas laws that determine the way gases behave in the body. • Oxygen is mainly carried on hemoglobin, while carbon dioxide is carried as bicarbonate, dissolved CO2, and as carbaminohemoglobin. • There are multiple lines of defense against pathogens and debris that get into the airways or alveoli. • The pulmonary circuit starts at the pulmonary trunk and ends at four pulmonary veins.