Resp Terms 6-12

Trachea

Also called the windpipe; main passageway for air to reach the lungs.

Cilia

Tiny hair-like structures in the trachea that move mucus opposite to airflow.

Heimlich Maneuver

Emergency technique used to clear a blocked airway.

Bronchi

Right and left airways that branch off from the trachea into the lungs.

Bronchioles

Smaller branches of the bronchi that lead to alveoli.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Alveolar Ducts

Small passages that connect bronchioles to alveolar sacs.

Alveolar Sacs

Clusters of alveoli that resemble a bunch of grapes.

Gas Exchange

The process of oxygen entering the blood and carbon dioxide exiting.

Squamous Epithelium

Thin, flat cells making up the wall of alveoli to allow gas diffusion.

Pulmonary Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels surrounding alveoli where gas exchange occurs.

Lungs

Large organs of the respiratory system involved in breathing.

Apex of Lung

The pointed, top portion of each lung.

Base of Lung

The bottom portion of the lung that sits on the diaphragm.

Visceral Pleura

Membrane covering the lung surface.

Parietal Pleura

Membrane lining the thoracic cavity.

Pleural Cavity

Space between the pleura containing pleural fluid to reduce friction.

Pleural Fluid

Lubricating fluid that helps lungs glide smoothly during breathing.

Mediastinum

Central space in the chest that houses the heart, trachea, and other organs.

Elastic Tissue

Found in the lungs, helps with lung expansion and recoil.