Respiratory System Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing respiratory system vocabulary.

Rhinoplasty/Nose Job

Cosmetic surgery to re-shape the cartilage of the nose.

Inhalation (Inspiration)

Breathing in.

Nose Hair, Cilia, and Mucus

Traps dirt and dust in the nose.

Cilia

Transports mucus out of the airways in the trachea.

Blood Vessels

Warms incoming air in the airway.

Moisture

Adds water to the air in the airway.

Steam Inhalation

Method to remove phlegm from airways.

Expiration

Breathing out.

Nasal Cavities

Two narrow canals in the nose.

Nasal Septum

Separates the nasal cavities.

Ciliated Cells

Connects to an olfactory bulb that leads to the brain; act as olfactory receptors for smell.

Cranial Sinuses

Air-filled, mucosa-lined spaces in the skull around the nose.

Pharynx

Connects the nose to the mouth and throat.

Nasopharynx

Upper portion of the pharynx above the soft palate.

Auditory/Eustachian Tubes

Connects the nasopharynx to the ear.

Oropharynx

Located at the back of your mouth.

Laryngopharynx

Leads to the larynx or throat.

Larynx

Located in the front of the neck, a triangular box

Adam's Apple

Point at the top of the larynx.

Glottis

Opening at the top of the larynx that lets air into the trachea.

Tracheostomy

Emergency procedure if the trachea is blocked.

Epiglottis

Flap of tissue that covers the glottis when you swallow.

Vocal Cords

Folds tied to elastic ligaments stretched across the glottis; produces sound.

Trachea (Windpipe)

Connects the larynx to the primary bronchi.

Trachea

Tube held open by C-shaped cartilaginous rings.

Cilia in the Trachea

Sweep mucus and debris upwards into the pharynx.

Trachea

Divide into right and left primary bronchi.

Bronchioles

Smaller branches of bronchi that lead to alveoli.

Alveoli

Air sacs in the lungs.

Lungs

Located in the thoracic cavity above the abdomen.

Superior, Middle, Inferior

Lobes found in the Right Lung.

Superior and Inferior

Lobes found in the Left Lung.

Alveolar Sacs

Surrounded by capillaries where gas exchange occurs.

Surfactant

Lipoprotein that lowers surface tension and prevents the lungs from collapsing.

Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Condition where newborns lack surfactant.

Respiration

To supply oxygen to body cells for aerobic cellular respiration and dispose of CO2.

Inspiration

Entrance of air into the lungs.

Expiration

Exit of air from the lungs.

External Respiration

Exchange of gases between air and blood in the lungs.

Internal Respiration

Exchange of gases between blood and tissue fluid.

Cellular Respiration

Using O2 to produce ATP in cells and producing CO2.

Tidal Volume

Normal amount of air moved in and out with one breath.

Vital Capacity

Maximum volume of air that can be moved in and out during a single breath.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

Air forcefully inhaled.

Dead Space

Areas of the body that contain air but are not used for gas exchange.

Expiratory Reserve Volume

Air forcefully exhaled.

Residual Volume

Air inside the lungs at all times.

Thoracic Cavity

Consists of the rib cage, spinal cord, and sternum.

Intercostal Muscles

Lie between the ribs.

Diaphragm

Dome-like horizontal muscle at the bottom of the thoracic cavity.

Parietal Membrane

Outer membrane of the thoracic cavity.

Visceral Membrane

Inner membrane of the thoracic cavity.

Pleural Cavity

Space between the two pleural membranes, filled with fluid.

Intrapleural Pressure

Pressure between the pleural membranes.

Pneumothorax

Air going inside and crushing the lungs

Pleurisy

Infection of the pleural membranes causing inflammation.

Respiratory Center

Located in the medulla oblongata of the brain.

Chemoreceptors

Measure levels of H+ (pH), CO2, and O2.

Phrenic Nerve

Nerve that sends signals to the diaphragm.

Intercostal Nerve

Nerve that sends signals to the intercostal muscles.

Vagus Nerve

Inhibitory nerve that sends stretch receptor impulses to the medulla oblongata.

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URI)

Localized to the head and neck region.

Strep Throat

Infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.

Sinusitis

Infection of the sinuses.

Tympanostomy

Tube placed in the eardrum to drain excess fluid buildup.

Tonsillectomy

Surgical removal of tonsils.

Otitis Media

Bacterial infection of the middle ear.

Tonsillitis

Bacterial or viral infection in the tonsils.

Tonsils (Adenoids)

Protection of the pharynx from pathogens via the lymphatic system.

Laryngitis

Infection of the larynx.

Lower Respiratory Tract Disorders

Localized to the thoracic cavity, includes bronchi and lungs.

Acute Bronchitis

Infection of the primary and secondary bronchi.

Pneumonia

Viral or bacterial infection of the lungs where bronchi and alveoli fill with fluid.

Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Bacterial infection of the lungs caused by tubercle bacillus.

Tubercle

Tiny capsule built by cells around bacteria to isolate them.

Restrictive Pulmonary Disorders

Vital capacity is reduced, breathing rate has decreased, and lungs have lost elasticity.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Scar tissue that builds up after lungs are damaged.

Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders

Air flow is reduced, takes more time to breathe, and vital capacity is normal.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders.

Chronic Bronchitis

Inflamed airways filled with mucus, smokers are more likely to get this.

Emphysema

Swollen alveoli with damaged walls, lungs are less elastic, airways are narrower.

Asthma

Triggered by allergens causing bronchioles to spasm and restrict airways.

Pneumonectomy

Surgical removal of cancerous parts of the lung.

Lung Cancer

Cells in airways begin to thicken, often due to smoking.

Breathing

The process of breathing, consisting of inhalation and expiration.

Nasal Septum

The nasal cavities are separated by this structure.

Ciliated Cells

These structures act as olfactory receptors for smell.

Sinuses

When blocked, these can cause a sinus headache.

Nasopharynx

This part of the pharynx connects to the ear via the auditory/eustachian tubes.

Glottis

This opening lets air into the trachea.

Epiglottis

This flap of tissue covers the glottis when you swallow, preventing food from entering the trachea.

Vocal cords

These structures vibrate to produce sound.

Trachea

Also known as the windpipe.

Alveoli

These structures make up the lungs.

Alveoli

Gas exchange occurs between air in these structures and blood in the capillaries.

Surfactant

This lipoprotein lowers surface tension and prevents the lungs from collapsing.

Tidal Volume

The normal amount of air moved in and out with one breath.

Residual Volume

This volume cannot be used for gas exchange and keeps the lungs inflated.

Thoracic Cavity

This cavity consists of the rib cage.

Diaphragm

This muscle is dome-like and horizontal at the bottom of the thoracic cavity.