Respiratory System Overview

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to the respiratory system from lecture notes.

Nasal Cavity Mucosa

Lining that warms incoming air and traps foreign objects.

Ciliated Cells

Small hairs that move particles in the nose towards the throat for digestion.

Nasal Septum

Structure that divides the nose into two nostrils.

Conchae

Three ridges in the nasal cavity that increase mucosal surface area and air turbulence.

Hard Palate

made of bone, separates nasal cavity and mouth

Soft palate

made of muscle, separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity.

Uvula

Structure that prevents food from entering the nasal cavity when swallowed; ends nasal cavity

Paranasal Sinuses

lighten the skull, resonate speech, produce mucus (rhinitis=inflamation)

Pharynx

The throat, shared by the respiratory and digestive systems; divided into nasopharyngeal (nose), oropharynx (mouth), and laryngopharynx (air only)

Tonsils

line the pharynx, trap/remove foreign pathogens

pharyngeal, palatine (2 in palate), lingual (2 in tongue)

Larynx

voice box; involved in air passage, diverting air and food, and sound production.

Vocal cords

change the sound of ones voice

volume- amount of air pushed thru

pitch- tension and thickness of cords

trachea

windpipe, air only

rigid tube, horseshoe hayline cartilage rings that provide stability/protection to make sure airways stay open, also provide flexibility/mobility bc open on backside

Bronchi

The two major air passages that branch from the trachea into the lungs.

bronchioles

the bronchi branches off into these

Alveoli

Tiny bubble-like air sacs where gas exchange occurs.

Surfactant

Fluid in alveoli that prevents lungs from collapsing/sticking together

Pleural Membrane

Covers the lungs and fluid reduces friction.

respiratory zone

made of thin-walled alveoli and surrounding capillaries; site of the gas exchange

Respiratory membrane: between the capillary and each alveolus  

Alveolar macrophages: move in and out & collect bacteria/particles

external respiration

Gases exchanged b/w pulmonary blood vessels and alveoli 

Preceded by ventilation (aka breathing)

In the lungs

internal respiration

Blood exchanges gas with body tissues

happens throughout the body

Diaphragm

Large muscle that aids in breathing by contracting and relaxing.

external inter costal muscles

between each rib

inhalation/inspiration

Diaphragm and Intercostals are contracted, rib cage expands, lung pressure decreases, air rushes into lungs

exhalation/expiration

Relaxation of those muscles decreased the rib cage size, increased lung pressure, air rushes out of the lungs

rate of respiration

controlled by medulla and pons (in brainstem)

medulla

• Central respiratory group- control neurons for quiet/regular breathing

• Dorsal respiratory group- collects sensory information from various body receptors and passes info to VRG

pons

• Modify timing and smooth control of breathing by communicating w/ VRG

Tidal Volume

Amount of air exchanged by lungs at rest.

inspiratory reserve volume

additional amount of air that can consciously be inhaled

expiratory reserve volume

additional amount of air that can consciously be exhaled

residual volume

amount of air remaining in the lungs after forced exhalation

Vital Capacity

amount of air that can be exchanged with the environment.

total lung capacity

vital capacity + residual vol

6 L for men, 10% less for women

respiratory alteration—physical factors

• Talking, coughing, exercising, body temp

• Lungs stretch receptors to prevent over inflation

Chemoreceptors

Cells that monitor blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

respiratory alteration—conscious control

voluntary, has limits- brainstem will take over if the oxygen or carbon dioxide levels get too extreme

respiratory alteration—emotional factors

gasping whne scared, rapid breathing from stress/panic/anxiety

respiratory alteration—chemical factors

Blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels

feedback loop