Respiratory System Lecture Notes

Vocabulary practice flashcards based on Chapter 3 regarding the anatomy, physiology, clinical devices, and infectious/congenital diseases of the respiratory system.

Gas Exchange

The primary function of the respiratory system occurring in the alveoli, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the body and the environment.

Regulation of Blood pH

The process by which the respiratory system maintains the acid-base balance by regulating levels of carbon dioxide.

Mediastinum

The space between the lungs containing the heart, blood vessels, lymph nodes, nerve fibers, thymus gland, and esophagus.

Apex

The upper part of the lung that lies against the top of the thoracic cavity.

Base

The lower part of the lung that lies against the diaphragm.

Diaphragm

The principal respiratory muscle.

Trachea (Windpipe)

A continuous tube connecting the larynx and major bronchi, consisting of hyaline cartilage to prevent collapse.

Carina

The last segment of the trachea where it divides into the right and left main (primary) bronchi.

Bronchioles

Branches from the bronchi that represent the smallest of the conducting airways.

Ciliated Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

The lining of most conducting airways, containing mucus-secreting glands, ciliated cells, and serous glands.

Ciliary Blanket

A layer of mucus produced by epithelial cells that traps dust and bacteria and moves them toward the oropharynx.

Ventilation

The movement of gases into and out of the lungs relying on respiratory pressures and the system of open airways.

Hemoglobin

The main transporter of oxygen, carrying approximately $98\%$ of oxygen in the blood.

Alveoli

Microscopic, cup-shaped, thin-walled air sacs where gas exchange occurs; the adult lung contains approximately $300 \times 10^{6}$ of them.

Acinus

Clusters of alveoli.

Respiratory Center

Integrated neurons located in the pons and medulla of the brain that control the muscles of respiration.

Parietal Pleura

The outer layer of the serous membrane that lines the pulmonary cavities and adheres to the thoracic wall, mediastinum, and diaphragm.

Visceral Pleura

The inner layer of the serous membrane that closely covers the lung and is adherent to all its surfaces.

Pleural Effusion

An abnormal collection of fluid or exudate within the potential space between the visceral and parietal pleura.

Endotracheal Tube (ETT) placement

The distal tip of this device should ideally be seen about $3\,cm$ to $5\,cm$ above the carina on chest X-rays in adults.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

A chronic genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene leading to thick mucus accumulation and organ dysfunction.

Meconium ileus

An intestinal manifestation of Cystic Fibrosis seen in children at birth.

Hyaline Membrane Disease (IRDS)

A condition in preterm neonates caused by insufficient surfactant production, leading to increased surface tension and alveolar collapse.

Surfactant

A mixture of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates that reduces surface tension in the alveoli.

Croup

A viral respiratory illness in children under 6 causing inspiratory stridor and a barking cough.

Epiglottitis

A rare life-threatening condition caused by inflammation of the epiglottis, often associated with H influenza bacteria in children.

Thumb sign

The manifestation of an edematous and enlarged epiglottis seen on a lateral soft-tissue radiograph of the neck.

Typical Pneumonia

A classification of pneumonia beginning with sudden high fever and chills followed by a cough with phlegm.

Hospital-Acquired (Nosocomial) Pneumonia

Infection starting at least two days after hospital admission or within 3 months of a hospital stay.

Interstitial Pneumonia

Lung inflammation predominantly affecting the walls and lining of the alveoli, often showing a linear or reticular pattern on X-rays.

Lung Abscess

A localized collection of pus within the lung parenchyma, often characterized by foul-smelling sputum and a productive cough.

Tuberculosis (TB)

An infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis characterized by necrotizing granulomatous inflammation.

Miliary Tuberculosis

A severe, disseminated form of TB where bacteria spread through the bloodstream, appearing as discrete nodules (granulomas) in both lungs.

Tuberculoma

Well-defined focal masses (Tuberculous Granulomas) resulting from TB infection, most common in the brain and lung.

Histoplasmosis

A soil-based fungal infection endemic in the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys.

Aspergilloma

A fungal mass appearing as a well-demarcated, round, soft tissue mass within a pre-existing air space cavity.

Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia

The most common and serious opportunistic respiratory infection in patients with AIDS.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

A common virus infecting almost all children by age 2, presenting with bronchiolitis and lung hyperinflation.

Anosmia

The loss of smell, identified as a clinical manifestation of COVID-19.

Ground glass opacities

Multifocal bilateral consolidation changes seen on CT scans of patients with COVID-19.