Anatomy & Physiology of the Respiratory System

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the anatomical and physiological aspects of the respiratory system as discussed in the lectures.

Mucociliary escalator

A defense mechanism of the respiratory system that traps and moves particles out of the airways.

Conducting zone

The part of the respiratory system that includes all structures involved in transporting air to the lungs, from the nose to the terminal bronchioles.

Respiratory zone

The region of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs, including the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.

Simple squamous epithelium

A type of epithelial tissue found in the alveoli, allowing for rapid gas exchange due to its thin barrier.

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium (PCCE)

A type of epithelial tissue commonly found in the respiratory tract that helps trap and move particles out of the airways.

Gas exchange

The process of transferring oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the blood.

Alveolus (plural: alveoli)

The small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Surfactant

A substance produced by type II alveolar cells that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse.

Partial pressure

The pressure exerted by a specific gas in a mixture of gases, critical in determining the movement of gases during respiration.

HCO3- (Bicarbonate)

A buffer that helps maintain the body's pH balance and is a major form of carbon dioxide transport in the blood.

Hypoxia

A condition in which there is inadequate oxygen supply to tissues.

Acidosis

A condition in which the blood has an excess of hydrogen ions, resulting in a lower pH.

Alkalosis

A condition characterized by a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration, leading to an increase in pH.

Chemoreceptors

Specialized receptors that monitor levels of CO2, O2, and pH in the body and regulate breathing accordingly.

Carina

The ridge at the base of the trachea that divides it into the right and left primary bronchi.

Respiratory membrane

The barrier across which gas exchange occurs, consisting of alveolar epithelium, capillary endothelium, and their fused basement membranes.

Mucociliary escalator

A defense mechanism of the respiratory system that traps and moves particles out of the airways.

Conducting zone

The part of the respiratory system that includes all structures involved in transporting air to the lungs, from the nose to the terminal bronchioles.

Respiratory zone

The region of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs, including the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.

Simple squamous epithelium

A type of epithelial tissue found in the alveoli, allowing for rapid gas exchange due to its thin barrier.

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium (PCCE)

A type of epithelial tissue commonly found in the respiratory tract that helps trap and move particles out of the airways.

Gas exchange

The process of transferring oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the blood.

Alveolus (plural: alveoli)

The small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Surfactant

A substance produced by type II alveolar cells that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse.

Partial pressure

The pressure exerted by a specific gas in a mixture of gases, critical in determining the movement of gases during respiration.

HCO3- (Bicarbonate)

A buffer that helps maintain the body's pH balance and is a major form of carbon dioxide transport in the blood.

Hypoxia

A condition in which there is inadequate oxygen supply to tissues.

Acidosis

A condition in which the blood has an excess of hydrogen ions, resulting in a lower pH.

Alkalosis

A condition characterized by a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration, leading to an increase in pH.

Chemoreceptors

Specialized receptors that monitor levels of CO2, O2, and pH in the body and regulate breathing accordingly.

Carina

The ridge at the base of the trachea that divides it into the right and left primary bronchi.

Respiratory membrane

The barrier across which gas exchange occurs, consisting of alveolar epithelium, capillary endothelium, and their fused basement membranes.

Diaphragm

The primary muscle of respiration that contracts and flattens to increase thoracic volume during inhalation.

Intrapleural pressure

The pressure within the pleural cavity, which is always slightly negative relative to atmospheric pressure to keep the lungs inflated.

Ventilation

The process of moving air into and out of the lungs.

Mucociliary escalator

A defense mechanism of the respiratory system that traps and moves particles out of the airways.

Conducting zone

The part of the respiratory system that includes all structures involved in transporting air to the lungs, from the nose to the terminal bronchioles.

Respiratory zone

The region of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs, including the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.

Simple squamous epithelium

A type of epithelial tissue found in the alveoli, allowing for rapid gas exchange due to its thin barrier.

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium (PCCE)

A type of epithelial tissue commonly found in the respiratory tract that helps trap and move particles out of the airways.

Gas exchange

The process of transferring oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the blood.

Alveolus (plural: alveoli)

The small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Surfactant

A substance produced by type II alveolar cells that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse.

Partial pressure

The pressure exerted by a specific gas in a mixture of gases, critical in determining the movement of gases during respiration.

HCO3- (Bicarbonate)

A buffer that helps maintain the body's pH balance and is a major form of carbon dioxide transport in the blood.

Hypoxia

A condition in which there is inadequate oxygen supply to tissues.

Acidosis

A condition in which the blood has an excess of hydrogen ions, resulting in a lower pH.

Alkalosis

A condition characterized by a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration, leading to an increase in pH.

Chemoreceptors

Specialized receptors that monitor levels of CO2, O2, and pH in the body and regulate breathing accordingly.

Carina

The ridge at the base of the trachea that divides it into the right and left primary bronchi.

Respiratory membrane

The barrier across which gas exchange occurs, consisting of alveolar epithelium, capillary endothelium, and their fused basement membranes.

Diaphragm

The primary muscle of respiration that contracts and flattens to increase thoracic volume during inhalation.

Intrapleural pressure

The pressure within the pleural cavity, which is always slightly negative relative to atmospheric pressure to keep the lungs inflated.

Ventilation

The process of moving air into and out of the lungs.

Tidal Volume (VT)

The amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal, quiet breath.

Vital Capacity (VC)

The maximum amount of air a person can forcefully exhale after a maximal inhalation. (VC = VT + IRV + ERV)

Bronchodilation

The widening of the bronchi and bronchioles, which decreases resistance to airflow.

Internal Respiration

The metabolic process by which gases are exchanged between the blood and the body's tissue cells.

External Respiration

The process of gas exchange between the alveoli and the blood, occurring across the respiratory membrane.

Mucociliary escalator

A defense mechanism of the respiratory system that traps and moves particles out of the airways.

Conducting zone

The part of the respiratory system that includes all structures involved in transporting air to the lungs, from the nose to the terminal bronchioles.

Respiratory zone

The region of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs, including the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.

Simple squamous epithelium

A type of epithelial tissue found in the alveoli, allowing for rapid gas exchange due to its thin barrier.

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium (PCCE)

A type of epithelial tissue commonly found in the respiratory tract that helps trap and move particles out of the airways.

Gas exchange

The process of transferring oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the blood.

Alveolus (plural: alveoli)

The small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Surfactant

A substance produced by type II alveolar cells that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse.

Partial pressure

The pressure exerted by a specific gas in a mixture of gases, critical in determining the movement of gases during respiration.

HCO3- (Bicarbonate)

A buffer that helps maintain the body's pH balance and is a major form of carbon dioxide transport in the blood.

Hypoxia

A condition in which there is inadequate oxygen supply to tissues.

Acidosis

A condition in which the blood has an excess of hydrogen ions, resulting in a lower pH.

Alkalosis

A condition characterized by a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration, leading to an increase in pH.

Chemoreceptors

Specialized receptors that monitor levels of CO2, O2, and pH in the body and regulate breathing accordingly.

Carina

The ridge at the base of the trachea that divides it into the right and left primary bronchi.

Respiratory membrane

The barrier across which gas exchange occurs, consisting of alveolar epithelium, capillary endothelium, and their fused basement membranes.

Diaphragm

The primary muscle of respiration that contracts and flattens to increase thoracic volume during inhalation.

Intrapleural pressure

The pressure within the pleural cavity, which is always slightly negative relative to atmospheric pressure to keep the lungs inflated.

Ventilation

The process of moving air into and out of the lungs.

Tidal Volume (VT)

The amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal, quiet breath.

Vital Capacity (VC)

The maximum amount of air a person can forcefully exhale after a maximal inhalation. (VC = VT + IRV + ERV)

Bronchodilation

The widening of the bronchi and bronchioles, which decreases resistance to airflow.

Internal Respiration

The metabolic process by which gases are exchanged between the blood and the body's tissue cells.

External Respiration

The process of gas exchange between the alveoli and the blood, occurring across the respiratory membrane.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

The maximal amount of air that can be inhaled forcefully after a normal quiet inspiration.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

The maximal amount of air that can be exhaled forcefully after a normal quiet expiration.

Residual Volume (RV)

The amount of air remaining in the lungs after a maximal forceful exhalation.

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

The maximum amount of air the lungs can hold after a maximal forceful inspiration. (TLC = VC + RV)

Boyle's Law

States that the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional at a constant temperature. (P1V1 = P2V2)

Mucociliary escalator

A defense mechanism of the respiratory system that traps and moves particles out of the airways.

Conducting zone

The part of the respiratory system that includes all structures involved in transporting air to the lungs, from the nose to the terminal bronchioles.

Respiratory zone

The region of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs, including the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.

Simple squamous epithelium

A type of epithelial tissue found in the alveoli, allowing for rapid gas exchange due to its thin barrier.

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium (PCCE)

A type of epithelial tissue commonly found in the respiratory tract that helps trap and move particles out of the airways.

Gas exchange

The process of transferring oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the blood.

Alveolus (plural: alveoli)

The small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.