The Respiratory System - Key Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to the respiratory system from the lecture notes.

Respiration

The process of bringing oxygen to body cells and carrying carbon dioxide away.

Phonation

Voice production, which occurs in the larynx and involves the vibration of vocal cords.

Alveoli

Tiny, thin-walled sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Bronchi

Major air passages that branch from the trachea and lead into the lungs.

Trachea

The windpipe; a short, wide tube that conducts air to the lungs.

Diaphragm

A thin sheet of skeletal muscle that forms the caudal boundary of the thorax and aids in breathing.

Acidosis

A condition characterized by lower than normal pH in the blood, leading to confusion and coma.

Alkalosis

A condition characterized by higher than normal pH in the blood, causing tremors and muscle spasms.

Pleura

The double-layered membrane that lines the thoracic cavity and covers the lungs.

Mediastinum

The portion of the thorax between the lungs that contains the heart, trachea, and esophagus.