Respiratory System- Master set

Respiratory System

Body system responsible for gas exchange: bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide.

Upper Respiratory Tract

Nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx, and associated structures.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs.

Nose

Primary entrance for air; filters, warms, and humidifies incoming air.

Nasal Cavity

Cavity behind the nose that warms, moistens, and filters air.

Nasal Mucosa

Moist lining of the nasal cavity that traps particles and helps warm and humidify air.

Sinuses

Air-filled spaces in the skull that help warm and humidify air and contribute to voice resonance.

Pharynx

Throat; muscular passageway shared by the respiratory and digestive systems.

Nasopharynx

Upper portion of the pharynx located behind the nasal cavity.

Oropharynx

Middle portion of the pharynx located behind the mouth.

Laryngopharynx

Lower portion of the pharynx that leads toward the larynx and esophagus.

Larynx

Voice box; connects the pharynx to the trachea and contains the vocal cords.

Epiglottis

Flap of cartilage that closes over the airway during swallowing to help prevent food from entering the trachea.

Vocal Cords

Folds of tissue in the larynx that vibrate to produce sound.

Trachea

Windpipe; tube carrying air from the larynx toward the bronchi.

Cilia

Tiny hair-like structures that move mucus and trapped particles toward the pharynx.

Mucus

Sticky substance that traps dust, pathogens, and other particles in the respiratory tract.

Bronchi

Two main branches of the trachea that carry air into the lungs.

Primary Bronchi

The right and left main bronchi that enter their respective lungs.

Bronchioles

Small branching airways that extend from the bronchi and lead toward the alveoli.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between air and blood.

Alveolar-Capillary Membrane

Very thin barrier between alveolar air and pulmonary capillary blood where gas exchange occurs.

Surfactant

Substance produced by alveolar cells that reduces surface tension and helps prevent alveoli from collapsing.

Lungs

Paired organs responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Right Lung

Lung containing three lobes: superior, middle, and inferior.

Left Lung

Lung containing two lobes: superior and inferior; smaller to make room for the heart.

Lobes

Sections of the lungs separated by fissures.

Pleura

Two-layered membrane surrounding each lung.

Visceral Pleura

Layer of pleura directly covering the surface of the lungs.

Parietal Pleura

Outer layer of pleura lining the chest wall.

Pleural Cavity

Space between the visceral and parietal pleura containing a small amount of lubricating fluid.

Diaphragm

Dome-shaped primary muscle of respiration located beneath the lungs.

External Intercostal Muscles

Muscles between the ribs that help expand the chest during inspiration.

Inspiration

Inhalation; movement of air into the lungs.

Expiration

Exhalation; movement of air out of the lungs.

Ventilation

Movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Pulmonary Ventilation

Movement of air between the atmosphere and alveoli.

Gas Exchange

Movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and blood.

External Respiration

Gas exchange between alveoli and pulmonary capillary blood.

Internal Respiration

Gas exchange between systemic blood and body tissues.

Cellular Respiration

Process in cells that uses oxygen to produce ATP and generates carbon dioxide as a waste product.

Oxygen

O₂; gas required by cells for aerobic cellular respiration.

Carbon Dioxide

CO₂; waste gas produced by cellular metabolism and transported to the lungs for removal.

Partial Pressure

Pressure contributed by one gas within a mixture of gases; drives gas diffusion.

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration/partial pressure to an area of lower concentration/partial pressure.

Oxygen Diffusion

Oxygen moves from the alveoli into pulmonary capillary blood because oxygen partial pressure is higher in the alveoli.

Carbon Dioxide Diffusion

Carbon dioxide moves from pulmonary capillary blood into the alveoli because its partial pressure is higher in the blood.

Hemoglobin

Protein in red blood cells that binds and transports oxygen.

Oxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin bound to oxygen.

Carbon Dioxide Transport

CO₂ is transported mainly in the blood as bicarbonate ions, with smaller amounts dissolved in plasma or bound to hemoglobin.

Bicarbonate

Primary form in which carbon dioxide is transported in the blood.

Respiratory Rate

Number of breaths taken per minute.

Tidal Volume

Amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal quiet breath.

Vital Capacity

Maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after taking the deepest possible breath.

Residual Volume

Amount of air remaining in the lungs after maximal exhalation.

Total Lung Capacity

Total amount of air the lungs can hold after maximal inhalation.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

Extra amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal inspiration.

Expiratory Reserve Volume

Extra amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal expiration.

Medulla Oblongata

Brainstem region that contains major respiratory control centers and helps regulate breathing.

Pons

Brainstem region that helps regulate and modify the rhythm of breathing.

Chemoreceptors

Sensors that detect changes in blood gases, especially CO₂, O₂, and pH, helping regulate breathing.

Hypercapnia

Abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Hypoxemia

Abnormally low oxygen level in the blood.

Hypoxia

Inadequate oxygen supply reaching body tissues.

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes associated with inadequate oxygenation.

Dyspnea

Difficulty or discomfort with breathing; shortness of breath.

Apnea

Temporary cessation of breathing.

Tachypnea

Abnormally rapid breathing.

Bradypnea

Abnormally slow breathing.

Asthma

Chronic inflammatory airway disorder characterized by episodes of reversible airway narrowing, wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

Asthma Attack

Episode in which airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus production make breathing difficult.

Bronchoconstriction

Narrowing of the bronchi due to contraction of smooth muscle.

Bronchodilation

Widening of the airways.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; group of progressive lung diseases characterized by persistent airflow limitation.

Emphysema

Type of COPD involving destruction of alveolar walls and reduced surface area for gas exchange.

Chronic Bronchitis

Type of COPD characterized by chronic inflammation and excessive mucus production in the bronchi.

Pneumonia

Infection causing inflammation and fluid or other material to accumulate in the alveoli.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, most commonly affecting the lungs.

Influenza

Viral respiratory infection commonly called the flu.

Common Cold

Usually mild viral infection affecting the upper respiratory tract.

COVID-19

Respiratory illness caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchi, often causing coughing and increased mucus.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleura that can cause sharp chest pain, especially with breathing.

Pulmonary Edema

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs, particularly in the alveolar spaces.

Pulmonary Embolism

Blockage of a pulmonary artery, often caused by a blood clot that traveled from another part of the body.

Pneumothorax

Collapsed lung caused by air entering the pleural space.

Atelectasis

Collapse or incomplete expansion of part of a lung or alveoli.

Sleep Apnea

Repeated interruptions of breathing during sleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Most common type of sleep apnea; airway becomes repeatedly blocked during sleep.

Cystic Fibrosis

Inherited disorder causing abnormally thick and sticky mucus that can obstruct airways and cause recurrent respiratory problems.

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx, often causing hoarseness or loss of voice.

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharynx; commonly associated with a sore throat.

Sinusitis

Inflammation or infection of the sinuses.

Rhinitis

Inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes, often causing congestion and a runny nose.

Pulmonary Arteries

Carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Pulmonary Veins

Carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

Pulmonary Circulation

Circulation of blood between the heart and lungs for gas exchange.

Systemic Circulation

Circulation of oxygenated blood from the heart to body tissues and return of deoxygenated blood to the heart.

Right Ventricle

Heart chamber that pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary arteries toward the lungs.

Left Atrium

Heart chamber that receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.