Anatomy of Respiration Flashcards

Comprehensive flashcards covering Chapter 2: Anatomy of Respiration, including definitions, physics, bones, cartilages, passageways, lungs, pleurae, and muscles of inspiration and expiration.

Respiration

The exchange of gas between an organism and its environment.

Inspiration

The process of bringing air into the lungs; also known as inhalation.

Inhalation

The process of bringing air into the lungs; synonymous with inspiration.

Expiration

The process of removing air from the lungs; also known as exhalation.

Exhalation

The process of removing air from the lungs; synonymous with expiration.

Pressure

Force exerted over a given area, represented by the formula $P = \frac{F}{A}$.

Pressure Formula

$P = \frac{F}{A}$, where $P$ is pressure, $F$ is force, and $A$ is area.

Force and Pressure Relationship

As force increases, pressure increases (assuming area remains constant).

Area and Pressure Relationship

As area increases, pressure decreases (assuming force remains constant).

High Heel vs. Snowshoe Analogy

An illustration showing that the same force (body weight) yields great pressure over a tiny area (high heel) but small pressure over a huge area (running shoe or snowshoe).

Boyle's Law

Given a gas of constant temperature, if you increase the volume of the container, the pressure will decrease; if you decrease the volume, the pressure will increase.

Positive Pressure

Air pressure that exceeds atmospheric pressure, causing air to leave the respiratory system.

Negative Pressure

Air pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure, causing air to enter the respiratory system.

Piston Pressure Mechanism

When a piston is pushed down, volume decreases, molecules get closer together, and molecular forces of repulsion increase pressure.

Dyne

A unit of force required to move $1\text{ gram}$ at an acceleration of $1\text{ cm/s}^2$.

Newton

A unit of force required to move $1\text{ kg}$ at an acceleration of $1\text{ m/s}^2$.

Square Centimeter

A unit of area expressed as $\text{cm}^2$.

Square Meter

A unit of area expressed as $\text{m}^2$.

Dynes per Square Centimeter

A unit of pressure calculated by dividing force in dynes by area in $\text{cm}^2$ ($\text{dynes/cm}^2$).

Newtons per Square Centimeter

A unit of pressure calculated by dividing force in Newtons by area in $\text{cm}^2$ ($\text{Newtons/cm}^2$).

Pascal

A derived unit of pressure defined as $1\text{ Newton/m}^2$.

Micropascal

A unit of pressure equal to one millionth of a Pascal.

20 Micropascals

The reference pressure standard for Sound Pressure Level (SPL).

Syringe Plunger Analogy

A comparison showing that as the diaphragm pulls down, air enters the lungs just as air enters a syringe chamber when the plunger is pulled down.

Hypodermic Needle Mechanism

An illustration of fluid or air flow driven by pressure changes inside a chamber when volume changes.

Thorax

The thoracic cavity created by the rib cage that houses the lungs.

Abdomen

The body cavity containing the organs of digestion.

Torso

The combination of the thorax and the abdomen.

Diaphragm Boundary Function

Separates the thorax superiorly from the abdomen inferiorly.

Diaphragm Vertical Expansion

Contraction of the diaphragm expands the vertical dimension of the thoracic cavity.

Primary Muscle of Inspiration

The diaphragm.

Diaphragm Shape

A dome-shaped muscle located underneath the ribs, resembling an inverted dome.

Diaphragm Asymmetry

The diaphragm sits higher on the right side of the body than on the left side.

Innervation

The nerve supply to a tissue or organ, providing both sensory and motor functions.

Bilateral Innervation

When a muscle or organ is supplied by nerves originating from both sides of the body.

Phrenic Nerves

Left and right nerves that stimulate the diaphragm to contract and provide its motor supply.

Left Phrenic Nerve Origin

Originates in the cervical plexus from spinal nerves $C3$, $C4$, and $C5$ on the left side of the spinal cord.

Right Phrenic Nerve Origin

Originates in the cervical plexus from spinal nerves $C3$, $C4$, and $C5$ on the right side of the spinal cord.

Phrenic Nerve Function

Stimulates the diaphragm to contract and provides its motor nerve supply.

Cervical Plexus

A network of spinal nerves that includes the phrenic nerve.

Spinal Nerve C3

The 3rd cervical spinal nerve contributing to the formation of the phrenic nerve.

Spinal Nerve C4

The 4th cervical spinal nerve contributing to the formation of the phrenic nerve.

Spinal Nerve C5

The 5th cervical spinal nerve contributing to the formation of the phrenic nerve.

Central Tendon of Diaphragm

An aponeurosis that serves as the point of insertion for all muscle fibers of the diaphragm.

Insertion of Diaphragm Muscle Fibers

The central tendon.

Thoracic Cavity Lateral Boundaries

Bounded laterally, anteriorly, posteriorly, and superiorly by the rib cage.

Thoracic Cavity Inferior Boundary

Bounded inferiorly by the diaphragm.

Planes of Thoracic Movement

The vertical plane (up and down) and the transverse plane (across/left and right).

Transverse Dimension Expansion

Expansion of the thorax across (left and right) which increases thoracic cavity volume during inspiration.

Vertical Dimension Expansion

Expansion of the thorax up and down caused by contraction of the diaphragm during inspiration.

Vertebral Column

The bony structure composed of 33 vertebrae providing the axial framework of the body.

Total Count of Vertebrae

33 vertebrae.

Spinal Column

The palpable aspect of the vertebral column that can be touched or felt.

Cervical Vertebrae Count

7 cervical vertebrae ($C1$ to $C7$).

Thoracic Vertebrae Count

12 thoracic vertebrae ($T1$ to $T12$).

Lumbar Vertebrae Count

5 lumbar vertebrae ($L1$ to $L5$).

Sacral Vertebrae Count

5 sacral vertebrae ($S1$ to $S5$), fused into the sacrum.

Coccygeal Vertebrae Count

4 coccygeal vertebrae, fused into the coccyx.

Sacrum

The structure formed by the 5 fused sacral vertebrae ($S1\text{--}S5$).

Coccyx

The tailbone structure formed by the 4 fused coccygeal vertebrae.

Intervertebral Disk

Cartilaginous structures that separate individual vertebrae in the vertebral column.

C1 Vertebra

The first cervical vertebra, also known as the Atlas.

Atlas Articulations

Articulates superiorly with the occiput of the head and inferiorly with the axis ($C2$).

Atlas Vertebral Foramen

The large opening in $C1$ for passage of the spinal cord, larger than lower cervical vertebrae to accommodate the transition from brainstem to spinal cord.

Transverse Foramen of Atlas

Openings in the transverse processes of $C1$ for the passage of vertebral arteries.

C2 Vertebra

The second cervical vertebra, also known as the Axis.

Spinous Process

The posterior-most process of a vertebra that serves as an attachment point for back muscles and ligaments.

Odontoid Process

A process on $C2$ (Axis) that articulates with the inferior surfaces of $C1$ (Atlas), allowing the skull to pivot.

Respiratory Role of Thoracic Vertebrae

The 12 thoracic vertebrae ($T1\text{--}T12$) form the posterior point of attachment for the ribs of the bony thorax.

Corpus of Vertebra

The anterior body of a vertebra.

Transverse Costal Facet

An articular facet on the transverse process of a thoracic vertebra serving as an articulation landmark for ribs.

Vertebral Foramen

The central channel formed by the vertebral arch and corpus that allows passage of the spinal cord.

Inferior Vertebral Notch

A notch that helps connect the vertebral body to the vertebral arch.

Inferior Costal Facet

A mating surface on the inferior vertebral body for rib articulation.

Superior Costal Facet

An articular facet on the superior vertebral body for rib articulation.

Pelvic Girdle

The bony structure that attaches the legs to the vertebral column.

Bones of the Pelvic Girdle

Ilium, Ischium, and Pubis.

Ilium

A large bone of the pelvic girdle that articulates with the sacrum and provides bulk support for abdominal musculature.

Iliac Crest

The superior margin of the ilium.

Ischium

The pelvic bone that articulates with the pubis and forms the base of each half of the pelvis.

Pubis

An anterior bone of the pelvic girdle.

Pubic Symphysis

The joint between the pair of pubic bones.

Pectoral Girdle

The structure that provides structural support to the shoulder region.

Bones of the Pectoral Girdle

Clavicle and Scapula.

Clavicle

Also known as the collar bone; connects the sternum and scapula and supports the scapula.

Clavicle Attachments

Connects the sternum anteriorly to the scapula laterally.

Scapula

Also known as the shoulder blade; facilitates flexible upper-body movement and has its only skeletal attachment via the clavicle.

Scapular Skeletal Attachment

The clavicle.

Rib Cage Functions

Provides significant protection to the heart and lungs, and its barrel structure forms the basis for respiration.

Rib Cage Orientation

Slants downward towards the front, making the posterior attachment higher than the anterior attachment.

Rib Cage Movement During Inspiration

Elevates, causing the transverse dimension (width) of the thorax to increase.

Rib-Vertebral Articulation Pattern

Each rib articulates with two thoracic vertebrae.

Rib Neck Articulation Rule

The neck of each rib articulates with the thoracic vertebra of the same number (e.g., 1st rib neck with 1st vertebra).

Total Rib Count

12 pairs of ribs (24 total) in the human thorax.

Costae

The anatomical term for ribs.

Gliding Joints of Ribs

Joints formed between ribs and vertebrae to allow rib movement during respiration.

True Ribs

Ribs 1 through 7, which articulate directly with the sternum.

Costal Cartilage

Cartilaginous segments connecting ribs 1-10 to the sternum.

False Ribs

Ribs 8, 9, and 10, which articulate with the sternum indirectly via costal cartilage.

Floating Ribs

Ribs 11 and 12, which do not articulate with the sternum at all.