Organs and Structures of the Respiratory System

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the respiratory system, including its structure, function, and physiological processes.

Function of the respiratory system

Deliver O2, remove CO2, maintain pH balance, olfaction, speech production.

Conducting zone

Pathway in and out for air; filters debris and pathogens.

Respiratory zone

Area where gas exchange occurs.

Paranasal sinuses

Structures that warm and humidify incoming air.

Pharynx

Connects nose to larynx; has three major regions: nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx.

Nasopharynx

Airway only; contains uvula and soft palate, lined with ciliated epithelium.

Oropharynx

Passageway for both air and food; connected anteriorly to the oral cavity.

Laryngopharynx

Connected anteriorly to the larynx and posteriorly to the esophagus.

Larynx

Connects the pharynx to the trachea; contains the vocal cords.

Thyroid cartilage

The largest piece of cartilage in the larynx.

Epiglottis

Rests over glottis in the closed position to prevent food from entering the trachea.

True vocal cords

Structures that produce sound.

Trachea

Connects the larynx to the bronchi; supported by C-shaped rings of cartilage.

Bronchial tree

Branching airways that lead to the alveoli.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs.

Type 1 alveolar cells

Cell type that makes up the majority of the surface area of an alveolus.

Type 2 alveolar cells

Cells responsible for producing surfactant.

Macrophage

Immune cell present within the lungs.

Respiratory membrane

Alveolar epithelium, fused basement membrane, and capillary endothelium; serves as the site for gas exchange.

Diaphragm

Muscle that borders the lungs inferiorly and is crucial for breathing.

Pleurae membrane

Encloses the lungs.

Cardiac notch

Indention in the left lung to give room for the heart.

Pulmonary ventilation

Movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Boyle’s law

Pressure is inversely related to volume.

Tidal volume

Amount of air moved in and out of the lungs during quiet breathing.

Residual volume

Volume that remains after forceful expiration.

Vital capacity

Amount of air a person can move in and out of their lungs.

Functional residual capacity (FRC)

Amount of air that remains in the lungs after a normal tidal expiration.

Intrapleural pressure

Pressure that remains about -4mm Hg lower than intra-alveolar pressure.

Gas exchange

Occurs at the respiratory membrane; involves diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Internal respiration

Gas exchange between the blood and body tissues.

External respiration

Gas exchange between the lungs and blood.

Dalton’s Law

Total pressure of a gas mixture is the sum of the partial pressures of each individual gas.

Henry’s law

Amount of gas that dissolves in a liquid is directly proportional to its partial pressure.

Ventilation

Movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Perfusion

Flow of blood in the pulmonary capillaries.