Respiratory system

Respiratory System

The system responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.

Functions of the respiratory system

Includes oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange, acid/base balance, route for water loss and heat elimination, enhances venous return, and enables speech.

Upper Respiratory Tract

Includes the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx.

Cribriform plate

Part of the ethmoid bone that supports the olfactory bulb.

Nasopharynx

The upper part of the pharynx located behind the nose.

Pharyngeal tonsil

Also known as adenoids, located in the nasopharynx.

Uvula

A soft tissue structure that hangs at the back of the throat.

Oropharynx

The middle part of the pharynx that lies behind the oral cavity.

Palatine tonsil

Tonsils located on each side of the oropharynx.

Laryngopharynx

The lower part of the pharynx, connecting to the larynx and esophagus.

Larynx

The voice box, located between the pharynx and the trachea.

Epiglottis

A flap of cartilage that covers the windpipe while swallowing.

Thyroid cartilage

The largest cartilage in the larynx, often referred to as the Adam's apple.

Vocal fold

Also known as vocal cords, involved in producing sound.

Cricoid cartilage

A ring-shaped cartilage located below the thyroid cartilage.

Trachea

The windpipe that connects the larynx to the lungs.

Nasal cavity

The space behind the nose where air is warmed and filtered.

Nasal conchae

Curved bony structures in the nasal cavity that help increase surface area.

Nasal meatuses

Grooves in the nasal cavity between the conchae.

Lungs

Organs responsible for gas exchange in the respiratory system.

Respiratory zone

The part of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs.

Conducting zone

The part of the respiratory system that provides a pathway for air to reach the lungs.

Pulmonary ventilation

The process of air moving in and out of the lungs.

External respiration

Gas exchange between the lungs and blood.

Internal respiration

Gas exchange between the blood and body tissues.

Boyle's Law

The principle that describes the inverse relationship between gas pressure and volume.

Lung compliance

How easily the lungs can expand with pressure.

Surfactant

A substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse.

Pneumothorax

The presence of air in the pleural space leading to lung collapse.

Tidal volume

The amount of air breathed in or out during normal respiration.

Inspiratory reserve volume

The maximum volume of air that can be inspired after a tidal inspiration.

Expiratory reserve volume

The maximum volume of air that can be expired after a tidal expiration.

Vital capacity

The maximum amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs after a maximum inhalation.

Residual volume

The volume of air remaining in the lungs after a forced expiration.

Total lung capacity

The total volume of air that the lungs can hold.

Anatomical dead space

The volume of air that does not participate in gas exchange.

Physiological dead space

The sum of anatomical and alveolar dead space.

Alveolar ventilation

The volume of fresh air that reaches the alveoli per minute.

Central chemoreceptors

Neurons in the brain that respond to changes in CO2 and pH levels.

Peripheral chemoreceptors

Specialized cells located in the carotid and aortic bodies that respond to changes in blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

Hemoglobin

The protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen for transport.

Bohr effect

The phenomenon where increased CO2 causes hemoglobin to release more O2.

Haldane effect

The effect where deoxygenated hemoglobin binds to CO2 more readily.

External respiration

Gas exchange that occurs in the lungs.

Internal respiration

Gas exchange that occurs in the tissues.

Carbonic anhydrase

An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of CO2 and water to carbonic acid.

Apnea

Temporary cessation of breathing.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

Eupnea

Normal, unlabored breathing.

Hyperventilation

Increased rate and depth of breathing.

Hypoventilation

Decreased rate and depth of breathing.

Respiratory distress syndrome

A condition where the lungs are unable to provide adequate gas exchange.

Lung volumes

The various individual measurements of gas volumes in the lungs.

Ventilation-perfusion coupling

The matching of airflow to blood flow in the lungs.

Obstructive sleep apnea

A condition characterized by the blockage of the airway during sleep.

Central sleep apnea

A condition where the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe.

Complex sleep apnea

A combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Oxygen transport

The process by which oxygen is carried from the lungs to the tissues.

Carbon dioxide transport

The process by which CO2 is carried from the tissues back to the lungs.

Gas exchange

The process of transferring gases between the alveoli and the bloodstream.

Intrapleural pressure

The pressure in the pleural cavity.

Intrapulmonary pressure

The pressure within the lungs.

Partial pressure

The pressure exerted by a single type of gas in a mixture of gases.

Dalton's law

The law stating that the total pressure of a gas mixture is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of its individual gases.

Henry's law

The law that states gases dissolve in liquids in proportion to their partial pressures.

Compliance

The ability of the lungs to stretch and expand.

Elastic recoil

The ability of the lungs to return to their original shape after stretching.

Chloride shift

The process by which bicarbonate ions are exchanged for chloride ions in red blood cells.

Accessory muscles of ventilation

Muscles that assist in breathing during strenuous exercise.

Phrenic nerve

The nerve that stimulates the diaphragm to contract.

Scalenes

Muscles in the neck that assist in deep breathing.

Intercostal muscles

Muscles located between the ribs involved in the mechanics of breathing.

Pulmonary circulation

The movement of blood from the heart to the lungs and back.

Systemic circulation

The movement of blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Hypoxemia

Low levels of oxygen in the blood.

Hypercapnia

Elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin due to low oxygen levels.

Tuberculosis

An infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs.

Asthma

A condition characterized by inflamed airways and difficulty breathing.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A progressive disease that obstructs airflow in the lungs.