Respiratory System

Vocab/functions and other facts for respiratory system

thyroid (adam’s apple)

thyroid (adam’s apple)

protects vocal chords

alveoli

air sacs in the lungs from which gas is exchanged with the capillaries

bronchioles

thin-walled branches of bronchi; the smallest air-conducting passageways of the bronchi

bronchus

two passageways that branch off the trachea and lead to the right and left lungs

diaphragm

helps you inhale and exhale

epiglottis

a flap that covers the opening of the trachea during swallowing

larynx

responsible for voice production (voice box)

left lung (2 lobes)

bring oxygen into bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide

smaller because of location of heart

nasal cavity

humidify, warm, filter, and conduct air

nasal conchae

increase surface area of nasal cavities to warm and humidify air

nose

nasal passage

pharynx

muscular passageway that extends from nasal cavity to mouth and connects to esophagus (throat)

pleura

thin, double walled serous/visceral membrane that surrounds the lungs

right lung (3 lobes)

bring oxygen into the bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide

liver sits right underneath

trachea

air tube that extends from larynx into the thorax, which splits into right and left bronchi (windpipe)

upper respiratory tract

passageway from nose to larynx

lower respiratory tract

passageway from trachea to alveoli in lungs

• purify, humidify, and warm incoming air

• gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs

nostrils

air enters initially through the _________

olfactory receptors

helps with scent and taste

functions of respiratory mucosa

• moistens air

• traps incoming foreign particles

• enzymes in mucus destroy bacteria chemically

inhalation

moving air in

exhalation

moving air out

pulmonary ventilation (breathing)

combination of inhaltion and exhalation

external respiration

oxygen is loaded into blood

carbon dioxide is unloaded from blood

respiratory gas transport

transport of gases via the blood stream

internal respiration

gas exchange between blood and tissues

inspiration

period of breathing when air enters the lungs

ventilation

alternate flushing of air into and out of the lungs

expiration

period of breathing when air leaves the lungs

tidal volume

respiratory volume inhaled/exhaled during normal breathing

dead space volume

air in respiratory passages that does not contribute to gas exchange

vital capacity

total amount of exchangable air

residual volume

gas volume that allows gas exchange to go on continuously

expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

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

inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

amount of air forcibly taken over tidal volume

glottis

opening between vocal chords where air passes

pink puffer

Dyspnea, hyperventilation (emphysema)

blue bloater

Hypoxemia, mucus (chronic bronchitis)

COPD

combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema

A group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe.

Volition

a conscious choice or decision (purposely controlling your breathing)

cough

clearing your lower respiratory tract

sneeze

clearing your upper respiratory tract

crying

an emotional response that triggers short respirations of air

laughing

an emotionally induced response that produces air movements similar to crying, often social trigger

hiccup

sudden catching of breath with a spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm

apnea

lack or cessation of breathing

eupnea

normal breathing in terms of rate or depth

dyspnea

labored breathing or “air hunger”

hyperpnea

excessive breathing

wet cough

productive cough, mucus and septum

dry cough

non productive cough, no mucus, irritating

hyperventilation

the condition of taking abnormally fast, deep breaths

hypoxia

chronic oxygen deficiency

asthma

respiratory passageways narrowed by bronchiolar spasms

factors affecting capacity

size, sex, age, physical condition

nonrespiratory air movements

caused by reflexes or voluntary actions

adenocarcinoma

lung cancer found in mucosa glands (most numerous)

squamous cell carcinoma

lung cancer found in air passages

small cell carcinoma

most aggressive type of lung cancer