Chapter 21 - The Respiratory System

A series of vocabulary flashcards focusing on key terms and definitions related to the respiratory system.

Alveoli

Tiny air spaces arranged in grapelike clusters through which gases are exchanged.

Conducting Zone

Conduits through which air travels on its way in and out of the body as it is inspired or inhaled, and expired or exhaled.

Nasal Cavity Functions

Warm and humidify air, filter out debris, have antibacterial functions, house olfactory receptors, and enhance breath.

Paranasal Sinuses

Hollow cavities located in the frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and maxillary bones.

Respiratory Mucosa Epithelium

The type of epithelium making up most of the nasal cavity, except the beginning which is made of stratified squamous epithelium.

Types of Cartilage in the Larynx

Thyroid, Arytenoid, and Corniculate cartilage; made of hyaline cartilage.

Trachea

Delivers air to lower structures of the respiratory tract, approximately 2 cm wide and 10-12 cm long, covered in C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage.

Type I Alveolar Cells

Simple squamous cells that make up 90% of the cells in the alveolar wall.

Type II Alveolar Cells

Cuboidal cells that make up 10% of the cells in the alveolar wall.

Alveolar Macrophages (Dust Cells)

Phagocytes that clean up debris in the alveoli.