Anatomy & Physiology II - Respiration

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to the respiratory system, its anatomy, physiology, and processes involved in gas exchange.

Pulmonary ventilation

Movement of air into and out of the lungs.

External respiration

Exchange of O2 and CO2 between lungs and blood.

Transport of gases

The movement of O2 and CO2 in blood.

Internal respiration

Exchange of O2 and CO2 between systemic blood vessels and tissues.

Respiratory system

System responsible for gas exchange in the body.

Nasal cavity

The space behind the nose that filters and warms air.

Larynx

Voice box; contains vocal cords.

Trachea

Windpipe; connects larynx with bronchi.

Bronchus

Main passageway to the lungs.

Diaphragm

Muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity; aids in breathing.

Alveoli

Microscopic air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Pulmonary ventilation process

Involves changes in thoracic volume and pressure.

Boyle's Law

Pressure of a gas varies inversely with its volume.

Tidal volume

Volume of air inhaled or exhaled in a normal breath.

Inspiratory reserve volume

Amount of air that can be forcefully inhaled after a normal tidal volume inspiration.

Expiratory reserve volume

Amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a normal tidal volume expiration.

Residual volume

Volume of air remaining in the lungs after a forced expiration.

Total lung capacity

Maximum amount of air contained in lungs after a maximum inspiratory effort.

Vital capacity

Maximum amount of air that can be expired after a maximum inspiratory effort.

Functional residual capacity

Volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal tidal volume expiration.

Anatomical dead space

Air that remains in passageways and does not contribute to gas exchange.

Alveolar dead space

Space occupied by nonfunctional alveoli.

Minute ventilation

Total amount of gas that flows into or out of the respiratory tract in one minute.

Alveolar ventilation rate

Flow of gases into and out of alveoli during a specific time.

Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures

Total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases equals the sum of pressures exerted by each gas.

Henry’s Law

Each gas will dissolve in liquid in proportion to its partial pressure.

Oxygen transport

Carried by hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Carbon dioxide transport

Primarily occurs in red blood cells via carbonic anhydrase.

Bohr Effect

O2 unloading occurs where needed most, influenced by CO2 and H+ concentration.

Ventilation-perfusion coupling

Matching of alveolar ventilation with pulmonary blood perfusion.

Total atmospheric pressure

Equals 760 mm Hg at sea level.

Pulmonary gas exchange

Exchange of gases in the lungs.

Intrapulmonary pressure

Pressure inside the lung.

Intrapleural pressure

Negative pressure within the pleural cavity.

Pneumothorax

Air in the pleural cavity, causing lung collapse.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity containing the lungs and mediastinum.

Conducting zone

Passages that transport air to the gas exchange sites.

Respiratory zone

Site of gas exchange consisting of alveoli.

Oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve

Shows the relationship between oxygen saturation and partial pressure of oxygen.

Perfusion

The flow of blood to an organ or tissue.

Surfactant

Substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli.

Vocal cords

Tissues that vibrate to produce sound.

External intercostals

Muscles that elevate ribs during inhalation.

Respiratory bronchioles

Smallest air passages in lungs leading to alveoli.

Alveolar ducts

Ducts that lead to alveolar sacs.

Alveolar sacs

Clusters of alveoli at the end of alveolar ducts.

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels where gas exchange occurs.

Type I alveolar cells

Cells that make up the alveolar wall.

Type II alveolar cells

Cells that secrete surfactant.

Chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect changes in chemical composition.

Central chemoreceptors

Brainstem receptors that respond to CO2 levels.

Peripheral chemoreceptors

Receptors in carotid and aortic bodies that monitor O2 levels.

Hyperventilation

Rapid, deep breathing that decreases CO2 levels.

Hypoventilation

Slow, shallow breathing that increases CO2 levels.

Acidosis

Condition characterized by increased acidity in blood.

Alkalosis

Condition characterized by decreased acidity in blood.

Mucosa

Layer of cells that lines the air passageways.

Ciliated epithelium

Cells that have tiny hair-like structures to move mucus.

Lung compliance

Measure of the lungs' ability to stretch and expand.

Airway resistance

Resistance to airflow in the respiratory tract.

Alveolar surface tension

Pressure that opposes inflation of alveoli.

Frictional resistance

Resistance caused by the interaction between air and airways.

Pressure gradient

Difference in pressure that drives airflow.

Systemic circulation

Circulation of blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Gas exchange

Transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide across respiratory membranes.

Hypoxia

Condition of inadequate oxygen in tissues.

Respiratory acidosis

Condition resulting from CO2 retention.

Respiratory alkalosis

Condition resulting from excessive CO2 exhalation.

Apnea

Temporary cessation of breathing.

Saturation

Percentage of hemoglobin molecules bound with oxygen.

Hypoxemia

Insufficient oxygen in the blood.

Acute mountain sickness

Disorder caused by rapid ascent to high altitudes.

Sea level

The average level of the ocean's surface, used as a reference for elevation.

Partial pressure of O2

The pressure exerted by oxygen in a mixture of gases.

Eupnea

Normal, unlabored breathing.

Forced expiration volume

Amount of air exhaled forcibly in one second.

Eupneic breathing

Normal rhythmic breathing.

Respiratory rate

Number of breaths taken per minute.

Capillary networks

Dense networks of capillaries around alveoli for gas exchange.

Collapsing force

Force that tends to collapse the alveoli.

Respiratory membrane

Membrane where gas exchange occurs between alveoli and blood.