Human Anatomy & Physiology II - Topic 5

Conducting zone

region of the respiratory system that includes the organs and structures that provide passageways for air and are not directly involved in gas exchange

Respiratory zone

includes structures of the respiratory system that are directly involved in gas exchange

External nose

region of the nose that is easily visible to others

Root

region of the external nose between the eyebrows

Bridge

portion of the external nose that lies in the area of the nasal bones

Dorsum nasi

intermediate portion of the external nose that connects the bridge to the apex and is supported by the nasal bone

Apex

tip of the external nose

Ala

small, flaring structure of a nostril that forms the lateral side of the nares

Naris

opening of the nostrils

Philtrum

concave surface of the face that connects the apex of the nose to the top lip

Nasal septum

wall composed of bone and cartilage that separates the left and right nasal cavities

Respiratory epithelium

ciliated lining of much of the conducting zone that is specialized to remove debris and pathogens, and produce mucus

Pharynx

region of the conducting zone that forms a tube of skeletal muscle lined with respiratory epithelium; located between the nasal conchae and the esophagus and trachea

Nasopharynx

portion of the pharynx flanked by the conchae and oropharynx that serves as an airway

Oropharynx

portion of the pharynx flanked by the nasopharynx, oral cavity, and laryngopharynx that is a passageway for both air and food

Laryngopharynx

portion of the pharynx bordered by the oropharynx superiorly and esophagus and trachea inferiorly; serves as a route for both air and food

Pharyngeal tonsil

structure composed of lymphoid tissue located in the nasopharynx

Fauces

portion of the posterior oral cavity that connects the oral cavity to the oropharynx

Palatine tonsil

one of the paired structures is composed of lymphoid tissue located anterior to the uvula at the roof of isthmus of the fauces

Lingual tonsil

lymphoid tissue located at the base of the tongue

Larynx

cartilaginous structure that produces the voice, prevents food and beverages from entering the trachea, and regulates the volume of air that enters and leaves the lungs

Thyroid cartilage

largest piece of cartilage that makes up the larynx and consists of two lamine

Cricoid cartilage

portion of the larynx composed of a ring of cartilage with a wide posterior region and a thinner anterior region; attached to the esophagus

Epiglottis

leaf-shaped piece of elastic cartilage that is a portion of the larynx that swings to close the trachea during swallowing

True vocal cord

one of the pairs of folded, white membranes that have a free inner edge that oscillates as air passes through to produce sound

Trachea

tube composed of cartilaginous rings and supporting tissue that connects the lung bronchi and the larynx; provides a route for air to enter and exit the lung

Fibroelastic membrane

specialized membrane that connects the ends of the C-shaped cartilage in the trachea; contains smooth muscle fibers

Bronchial tree

collective name for the multiple branches of the bronchi and bronchioles of the respiratory system

Alar Cartilage

cartilage that supports the apex of the nose and helps shape the nares; it is connected to the septal cartilage and connective tissue of the alae

Meatus

one of three recesses (superior, middle, and inferior) in the nasal cavity attached to the conchae that increase the surface area of the nasal cavity

Laryngeal Prominence

region where the two lamines of thyroid cartilage join, forming a protrusion known as "Adam's apple."

Respiratory bronchiole

specific type of bronchiole that leads to alveolar sacs

Alveoli

(Of the breast) milk-secreting cells in the mammary gland

Type I alveolar cell

squamous epithelial cells that are the major cell type in the alveolar wall; highly permeable to gases

Type II alveolar cell

cuboidal epithelial cells that are the minor cell type in the alveolar wall; secrete pulmonary surfactant

Alveolar macrophage

the immune system cell of the alveolus removes debris and pathogens

Bronchiole

branch of bronchi that are 1 mm or less in diameter and terminate at alveolar sacs

Simple Diffusion

a passive transport process where molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration without the need for energy input

Cardiac notch

depression in the medial surface of the superior lobe of the left lung where the apex of the heart is located

Bronchoconstriction

decrease in the size of the bronchiole due to relaxation of the muscular wall

Bronchodilation

increase in the size of the bronchiole due to contraction of the muscular wall

Pulmonary plexus

network of autonomic nervous system fibers found near the hilum of the lung

Visceral pleura

innermost layer of the pleura that is superficial to the lungs and extends into the lung fissures

Parietal pleura

outermost layer of the pleura that connects to the thoracic wall, mediastinum, and diaphragm

Pleural cavity

space between the visceral and parietal pleura

Hilum

concave structure on the mediastinal surface of the lungs where blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves, and a bronchus enter the lung

Atmospheric pressure

amount of force that is exerted by gases in the air surrounding any given surface

Intra-alveolar pressure

(Intrapulmonary pressure) pressure of the air within the alveoli

Intrapleural pressure

pressure of the air within the pleural cavity

Transpulmonary pressure

pressure difference between the intrapleural and intra-alveolar pressures

Parietal Pleura

outermost layer of the pleura that connects to the thoracic wall, mediastinum, and diaphragm

Pulmonary Surfactant

substance composed of phospholipids and proteins that reduces the surface tension of the alveoli made by type II alveolar cells

Pulmonary ventilation

exchange of gases between the lungs and the atmosphere; breathing

Inspiration

(Also, inhalation) process that causes air to enter the lungs

Expiration

(Also, exhalation) process that causes the air to leave the lungs

Quiet breathing

(Also, eupnea) mode of breathing that occurs at rest and does not require the cognitive thought of the individual

Deep breath

requires the diaphragm to contract. As the diaphragm relaxes, air passively leaves the lungs

Shallow breath

costal breathing, requires contraction of the intercostal muscles

Forced breathing

mode of breathing that occurs during exercise or by active thought that requires muscle contraction for both inspiration and expiration

Total lung capacity (TLC)

total amount of air that can be held in the lungs; sum of TV, ERV, IRV, and RV

Vital capacity (VC)

sum of TV, ERV, and IRV, which is all the volumes that participate in gas exchange

Inspiratory capacity (IC)

sum of the TV and IRV, which is the amount of air that can maximally be inhaled past a tidal expiration

Functional residual capacity (FRC)

sum of ERV and RV, which is the amount of air that remains in the lungs after a tidal expiration

Atmospheric Pressure

force per unit area exerted on a surface by the weight of air above that surface in the atmosphere of the Earth

Respiratory rate

total number of breaths taken each minute

Ventilation

movement of air into and out of the lungs; consists of inspiration and expiration

Apneustic center

network of neurons within the pons that stimulate the neurons in the dorsal respiratory group; controls the depth of inspiration

Pneumotaxic center

network of neurons within the pons that inhibit the activity of the neurons in the dorsal respiratory group; controls rate of breathing

Central chemoreceptor

one of the specialized receptors that are located in the brain that sense changes in hydrogen ion, oxygen, or carbon dioxide concentrations in the brain

Peripheral chemoreceptor

one of the specialized receptors located in the aortic arch and carotid arteries that sense changes in pH, carbon dioxide, or oxygen blood levels

Forced Breathing

also called hyperpnea, it is the mode of breathing that occurs during exercise or by active thought that requires muscle contraction for both inspiration and expiration

Partial pressure

force exerted by each gas in a mixture of gases

Total pressure

sum of all the partial pressures of a gaseous mixture

Perfusion

distribution of blood into the capillaries so the tissues can be supplied

Alveolar Duct

a small tube connecting the terminal bronchiole to the respiratory bronchiole and is the point of attachment for alveoli

External respiration

gas exchange that occurs in the alveoli

Internal respiration

gas exchange that occurs at the level of body tissues

Partial Pressure

it is the force exerted by each gas in a mixture of gases

Interstitial Fluid

liquid that surrounds cells, providing a means of delivering materials to the cells, intercellular communication, and removal of metabolic waste

Respiratory Membrane

alveolar and capillary wall together form an air-blood barrier that facilitates the simple diffusion of gases

Umbilical Cord

flexible, tube-like structure that connects a fetus to the mother's placenta, providing oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products

Carbaminohemoglobin

compound of carbon dioxide and hemoglobin, and one of the ways in which carbon dioxide is carried in the blood

Pulmonary Ventilation

exchange of gases between the lungs and the atmosphere; breathing

Saturation

state of being completely filled or impregnated, such as the amount of oxygen bound to hemoglobin in the blood

Hyperpnea

increased rate and depth of ventilation due to an increase in oxygen demand that does not significantly alter blood oxygen or carbon dioxide levels

Acclimatization

process of adjustment that the respiratory system makes due to chronic exposure to high altitudes

Pharmacologic Treatments

medical treatments that utilize one or more pharmaceutical drugs to improve symptoms, treat the underlying condition, or prevent other diseases