Medical Terminology Unit 2 Part 1

Pulmonology

Is the medical specialty that studies the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system.

Pulmonologists use diagnostic tests, medical and surgical procedures, and drugs to treat respiratory diseases.

pulmon/o-: means lung

-logy: means study of

Nasal Cavity

• The nose is the first part of the upper respiratory tract

• It contains the nasal cavity, which is divided by the septum

• nas/o = nose

• -al = pertaining to

• Three turbinates in the nasal cavity slow the flow of air so it can be warmed and moistened.

• Nasal cavity and turbinates are lined with mucosa.

• The mucous membrane humidifies air and produces mucus.

• This is especially important in cold or dry areas. 

• Mucus and hair in the nose trap particles and prevent them from reaching the lungs.

Pharynx

• The posterior part of the nasal cavity merges with the pharynx

• The pharynx is a common passage for inhaled air, exhaled air, and food.

• The pharynx is composed of:

- Nasopharynx

-Oropharynx

- Laryngopharynx 

Larynx

• The larynx (voice box) is the first part of the lower respiratory tract.

• The larynx remains open during speech and respiration to allow air into the trachea.

• During swallowing, the larynx pulls up to the epiglottis, forcing food into the esophagus.

Trachea

• Below the vocal cords, the larynx merges into the trachea.

• The trachea aka windpipe, is a passageway for inhaled and exhaled air.

• It has a column of C-shaped cartilage.

-The anterior side is rigid due to the cartilage to prevent collapse.

- The posterior side has no cartilage and is soft.

The Bronchi

• The trachea divides into right and left bronchi (plural of bronchus).

• Bronchi are supported by rings of cartilage, similar to the trachea.

• The primary (right and left) bronchi enter the lungs, where they divide into smaller bronchioles.

Bronchioles

• Bronchioles are the smallest bronchi with a diameter of 1 millimeter or less.

• Their walls contain smooth muscle and no cartilage.

• The smooth muscle can contract or relax, to narrow or widen the bronchial lumen.

Anatomy of the Lungs

• The lungs are spongy, air-filled structures.

• The right lung contains three lobes (divisions) and the left lung contains two.

-Right upper lobe (RUL)

-Right middle lobe (RML)

-Right lower lobe (RLL)

-Left upper lobe (LUL)

-Left lower lobe (LLL)

• The top of the lung is the apex.

• The base rests on the diaphragm

Alveoli

• Inside the lung, the bronchus branches into bronchioles that end in alveoli.

• An alveolus is a hollow sphere of cells.

-Alveoli exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with nearby capillaries.

-They secrete surfactant that keeps their walls from collapsing.

-The alveoli form the pulmonary parenchyma.

Thorax

• The thorax is the bony area between the neck and the diaphragm.

-The rib cage (sternum, ribs, and spine) protects the lungs and thoracic cavity.

-The lungs fill most of the thoracic cavity.

-The mediastinum lies between the lungs and contains the trachea, heart, and esophagus.

-The diaphragm makes up the inferior border of the thoracic cavity.

Pleural cavity

• Within the thoracic cavity, each lung lies in a pleural cavity. 

• This space is surrounded by a double-layered serous membrane called pleura.

• The pleura secretes pleural fluid that allows the layers to smoothly slide past each other. 

Respiration

A two-way path: Inhalation/inspiration and Exhalation/expiration

Eupnea

• Having a normal rate and depth of respiration is Eupnea