Respiratory System Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering upper and lower respiratory structures, ventilation mechanics, gas exchange, and lung volumes and capacities.

Upper Respiratory Tract

The division of the respiratory system comprising the nose or nostrils, nasal cavity, mouth, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx).

Vibrissae

Nasal hairs that function as a natural defense to trap large particles of dust that might be inhaled.

Nasal Epithelium

The tissue covering the turbinate bones in the nasal cavity that functions to moisten, warm, and cleanse inhaled air.

Pharynx

The throat region that serves as the entrance to the lower respiratory system and houses the tonsils and adenoids.

Epiglottis

A structure that works with the larynx to prevent food or liquid from entering the lower respiratory tract during swallowing.

Larynx

The voice box involved in sound production, composed of thyroid, cricoid, and arytenoid cartilages along with vocal ligaments and muscles.

Lower Respiratory Tract

The division of the respiratory system consisting of the trachea, lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

Trachea

The windpipe structure connecting the upper and lower respiratory tracts, leading directly to the primary bronchi.

Bronchi

The two main branches leading from the trachea that conduct inward airflow into the right and left lungs.

Bronchioles

Smaller branches resulting from repeated division of the bronchi that connect the primary air passages to the alveoli.

Alveoli

Sac-like microscopic structures located at the ends of bronchioles that serve as the primary site of gas exchange in the lungs.

Pulmonary Ventilation

The process of moving air into and out of the lungs to facilitate gas exchange, driven by pressure differences between atmospheric air and the alveoli.

External Respiration

The gas exchange process occurring between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries, where oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide enters the alveoli.

Internal Respiration

The gas exchange process occurring between systemic capillaries and tissue cells, where oxygen moves into tissues and carbon dioxide moves into the blood.

Inhalation

The phase of ventilation where the diaphragm contracts and flattens while intercostal muscles contract, enlarging the chest cavity and reducing internal lung pressure relative to atmospheric pressure.

Exhalation

The phase of ventilation where the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward into a dome shape while intercostal muscles relax, reducing chest cavity size and forcing air out.

Tidal Volume (TV)

The volume of air exchanged during a normal, quiet ventilation cycle, equal to approximately $500\,\text{mL}$.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

The maximum volume of air that can be forcibly inhaled beyond a normal tidal inhalation, equal to $3000\,\text{mL}$ to $3100\,\text{mL}$ in males and $1900\,\text{mL}$ to $2000\,\text{mL}$ in females.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

The maximum volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled beyond a normal tidal exhalation, equal to $1200\,\text{mL}$ in males and $700\,\text{mL}$ in females.

Residual Volume (RV)

The amount of air remaining in the lungs after a maximal expiratory effort (ERV), equal to $1200\,\text{mL}$ in males and $1100\,\text{mL}$ in females.

Inspiratory Capacity (IC)

The maximum volume of air that can be inhaled after a normal tidal exhalation, calculated as $\text{IC} = \text{TV} + \text{IRV}$ ($3600\,\text{mL}$ in males, $2400\,\text{mL}$ in females).

Functional Reserve Capacity (FRC)

The volume of air remaining in the lungs at the end of a normal tidal exhalation, calculated as $\text{FRC} = \text{ERV} + \text{RV}$ ($2400\,\text{mL}$ in males, $1800\,\text{mL}$ in females).

Vital Capacity (VC)

The maximum volume of air that can be exhaled following a maximal inhalation, calculated as $\text{VC} = \text{TV} + \text{IRV} + \text{ERV}$ ($4800\,\text{mL}$ in males, $3100\,\text{mL}$ in females).

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

The total volume of air contained in the lungs after a maximal inhalation, calculated as $\text{TLC} = \text{RV} + \text{VC}$ ($6000\,\text{mL}$ in males, $4200\,\text{mL}$ in females).

Type II Alveolar Cell

A septal cell located within the alveolar wall that secretes surfactant to maintain alveolar structure.