Respiration and Skeletal System - Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to respiration and the skeletal system from the notes.

Respiration

Gas exchange between an organism and its environment, including the cycle of inhalation and exhalation.

Inhalation

Act of drawing air into the lungs (oxygen intake).

Exhalation

Act of releasing air from the lungs (carbon dioxide release).

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Thorax

Skeletal framework housing the lungs; the chest region.

Superior border (of the thorax)

Border formed by the first rib and the clavicle.

Inferior border (of the thorax)

Border formed by the 12th rib and the diaphragm.

Posterior border (of the thorax)

Border formed by the vertebrae and ribs.

Lateral border (of the thorax)

Border formed by the ribs.

Anterior border (of the thorax)

Border formed by the sternum.

Sternum

Breastbone; central bone of the rib cage.

Manubrium

Upper portion of the sternum.

Corpus (body) of the sternum

Central portion of the sternum.

Xiphoid process

Small cartilaginous projection at the lower end of the sternum.

Sternal angle

Angle between the manubrium and the body of the sternum.

Vertebral column

The backbone made of vertebrae; also called spinal column.

Cervical vertebrae

Vertebrae of the neck region (C1–C7).

Thoracic vertebrae

Vertebrae of the mid-back (T1–T12) that articulate with ribs.

Lumbar vertebrae

Lower back vertebrae (L1–L5) that bear most body weight.

Sacral vertebrae

Fused vertebrae forming the sacrum.

Coccygeal vertebrae

Fused vertebrae forming the coccyx.

Corpus (body) of a vertebra

The anterior, cylindrical part of a vertebra.

Vertebral arch

The arch behind the vertebral body that protects the spinal cord.

Pedicles

Short processes that connect the vertebral body to the arch.

Laminae

Parts of the vertebral arch forming its posterior portion.

Spinous process

Posterior projection of a vertebra; muscle attachment point.

Transverse process

Lateral projections of a vertebra for muscle attachment.

Superior articular facet

Articular surface on a vertebra that pairs with the vertebra above.

Inferior articular facet

Articular surface on a vertebra that pairs with the vertebra below.

Intervertebral foramina

Openings between adjacent vertebrae through which spinal nerves and vessels pass.

Transverse foramen

Opening in cervical vertebrae through which the vertebral artery passes.

Vertebral foramen

Holes in each vertebra that form the vertebral canal for the spinal cord.

Atlas (C1)

First cervical vertebra; supports the skull and enables head rotation.

Axis (C2)

Second cervical vertebra; facilitates rotation of the atlas.

C7 spinous process

Prominent posterior spinous process found at the base of the neck.

Paired transverse foramina

Foramina in the upper cervical vertebrae through which the vertebral arteries pass.

Thoracic vertebrae (T1–T12)

Vertebrae that form the middle section and provide rib attachments.

Rib attachments (thoracic vertebrae)

Posterior points of attachment for the ribs to the spine.

Lumbar vertebrae (L1–L5)

Lower back vertebrae that bear weight and attach to back/abdominal muscles.

Superior articular facet (vertebra)

Facet on a vertebra that articulates with the vertebra above.

Sacrum

Fused set of sacral vertebrae forming a single sacral bone.

Coccyx

Tail-like bone formed by fused coccygeal vertebrae.

Pelvic girdle

Skeletal ring supporting the lower extremities; attaches to the spine.

Ilium

Largest part of the hip bone; upper wing-like part.

Iliac crest

Top border of the ilium.

Iliac fossa

Depression on the internal surface of the ilium.

Pubic bone

Anterior portion of the pelvic girdle.

Pubic symphysis

Cartilaginous joint uniting the two pubic bones.

Ischium

Lower, posterior part of the pelvis.

Pectoral girdle

Shoulder girdle supporting the upper limbs; consists of scapula and clavicle.

Scapula

Shoulder blade; major site for muscle attachment.

Clavicle

Collarbone; connects sternum to scapula.

Spine of scapula

Prominent ridge running across the scapula.

Acromion

Lateral extension of the scapula forming the highest point of the shoulder.

Coracoid process

Hook-like projection on the scapula for muscle attachment.

Glenoid cavity

Socket on the scapula that articulates with the head of the humerus.

Medial border (of scapula)

Inward edge of the scapula facing the spine.

Rib cage

Bony structure enclosing the thoracic cavity and organs.

Lateral expansion

Outward widening of the chest during breathing.

Anteroposterior expansion

Front-to-back expansion of the chest during breathing.

True ribs (1–7)

Ribs that attach directly to the sternum via costal cartilage.

False ribs (8–10)

Ribs that attach indirectly to the sternum via cartilage.

Floating ribs (11–12)

Ribs that do not attach to the sternum.

Costal cartilage

Cartilage that connects ribs to the sternum or to cartilage above.

Angle of rib

Curved point where the rib bends.

Tubercle of rib

Prominent knob on the rib that articulates with the vertebra.