Respiratory System Overview

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the respiratory system based on the lecture notes.

Respiration

The exchange of gases between the atmosphere, blood, and cells, involving three processes: ventilation, external respiration, and internal respiration.

Otorhinolaryngology

The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.

Pharynx

A muscular tube lined by a mucous membrane that acts as a passageway for both air and food.

Alveolar-capillary membrane

The thin barrier where gas exchange occurs between the alveoli and blood.

Tidal volume

The amount of air exchanged during normal breathing, approximately 500 ml.

Surfactant

A phospholipid secreted by type II pneumocytes that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse.

Ventilation-perfusion coupling

The physiological response that diverts blood from poorly ventilated areas to well-ventilated areas in the lungs.

Eupnea

Normal variation in breathing rate and depth.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A respiratory disorder characterized by chronic and recurrent obstruction of airflow, primarily due to emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Hypoxia

Oxygen deficiency at the tissue level, classified based on its cause, such as hypoxic, anemic, stagnant, or histotoxic.