Breathing and Exchange of Gases Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of 55 vocabulary flashcards covering the human respiratory system, including anatomy, histology, and physiological functions based on the lecture transcript.

Breathing

The process of exchanging $O_2$ from the atmosphere with $CO_2$ produced by cells, involving inhalation and exhalation.

Respiration

The oxidation of glucose to form $CO_2$, $H_2O$, and energy.

Respiration Habitat Factors

The environment (aquatic or terrestrial) where an animal lives, which determines the type of respiratory organ used.

Cutaneous Respiration

Respiratory exchange through the skin, common in organisms like amphibians.

Branchial Respiration

Gas exchange that occurs through gills in aquatic animals like fish and some arthropods.

Pulmonary Respiration

Gas exchange occurring in the lungs, utilized by amphibians, reptiles, aves, and mammals.

Book Lungs

Respiratory organs found in terrestrial arachnids such as spiders and scorpions.

Tracheal System

A network of tubes used for respiration in insects, millipedes, and centipedes.

Respiratory Passage

The sequence of structures from the nostrils to the alveoli that conducts air to the respiratory surface.

Nostrils (External Nares)

Paired external openings of the nose located above the lips where the respiratory passage begins.

Olfactory Epithelium

A specialized lining of the nasal chambers containing bipolar neurons for the sense of smell.

Nasal Conchae

Structures within the nasal cavity that increase surface area and prevent dehydration by trapping water droplets.

Goblet Cells

Cells in the respiratory lining that secrete mucus to trap dust particles and humidify inhaled air.

Internal Nares (Choanae)

Paired posterior openings of the nasal cavities leading into the nasopharynx.

Nasopharynx

The upper part of the pharynx located posterior to the nasal cavity that serves as a passage for air.

Pharyngeal Tonsils

Also known as adenoids, these are lymphoid tissues located within the nasopharynx.

Larynx

The sound box or voice box located between $C4$ and $C6$ cervical vertebrae responsible for phonation.

Glottis

The opening to the larynx through which air passes, guarded by the epiglottis.

Epiglottis

A leaf-shaped flap of yellow elastic cartilage that covers the airway during swallowing to prevent food from entering the trachea.

Thyroid Cartilage

The largest, hyaline cartilage of the larynx, commonly referred to as the Adam's apple.

Cricoid Cartilage

The only complete ring of hyaline cartilage in the respiratory tract, forming the base of the larynx.

Arytenoid Cartilages

Paired pyramid-shaped hyaline cartilages that control vocal cord tension and movement.

Corniculate Cartilages

Paired, cone-shaped yellow elastic cartilages located at the apex of the arytenoid cartilages.

Cuneiform Cartilages

Paired, club-shaped yellow elastic cartilages within the aryepiglottic folds that support the vocal folds.

True Vocal Cords

The inferior vocal folds in the larynx responsible for sound production.

Trachea

The windpipe; a straight tube approximately $12\text{ cm} \times 2.5\text{ cm}$ extending from the larynx to the mid-thorax.

Trachealis Muscle

The muscle that regulates the diameter of the trachea during inhalation and exhalation.

Hyaline Cartilaginous Rings

The $16$-$20$ incomplete rings that support the trachea and prevent it from collapsing during inhalation.

Primary Bronchi

The two main branches of the trachea that enter the right and left lungs at the level of the $T5$ vertebra.

Lobar Bronchi

Also known as secondary bronchi, these enter into each specific lobe of the lung ($3$ on the right, $2$ on the left).

Segmental Bronchi

Also known as tertiary bronchi, these divide further to supply specific bronchopulmonary segments.

Terminal Bronchioles

The final part of the air-conducting zone in the respiratory system.

Respiratory Bronchioles

Microscopic branches that mark the beginning of the respiratory zone where gas exchange starts.

Alveoli

Tiny, highly vascularized air-filled sacs lined with simple squamous epithelium where gas diffusion occurs.

Alveolar Sac

A structure consisting of two or more alveoli that share a common opening.

Type I Alveolar Cells

More numerous, simple squamous epithelial cells that form the main site of gas exchange in the alveolar wall.

Type II Alveolar Cells (Septal Cells)

Cuboidal epithelial cells with microvilli that secrete alveolar fluid and surfactant.

Surfactant

A constituent of alveolar fluid that lowers surface tension to prevent the alveoli from collapsing.

Respiratory Membrane

A 0.5\text{ }\boldsymbol{\text{\textmu}}\text{m} thick barrier consisting of alveolar and capillary walls through which gas exchange occurs.

Conducting Part

The portion of the respiratory system from external nostrils to terminal bronchioles that filters, warms, and humidifies air.

Respiratory Part

The portion of the respiratory system comprising the alveoli and their ducts where gas exchange happens.

Mucociliary Escalator

The mechanism by which cilia sweep mucus-trapped particles upward toward the pharynx.

Pleural Membrane

The double-layered serous membrane (parietal and visceral) that encloses and protects each lung.

Pleural Cavity

The small, fluid-filled space between the parietal and visceral pleura that reduces friction during breathing.

Hilum

The opening on the mediastinal side of each lung where bronchi, vessels, and nerves enter or exit.

Cardiac Notch

An indentation in the left lung specifically shaped to accommodate the location of the heart.

Right Lung Lobes

The three distinct sections of the right lung: Superior, Middle, and Inferior.

Oblique Fissure

A structure found in both lungs that separates the lobes (superior/middle from inferior on the right, superior from inferior on the left).

Horizontal Fissure

The specific fissure found only in the right lung that separates the superior and middle lobes.

Pulmonary Arteries

Vessels that deliver deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

Bronchial Arteries

Vessels that provide oxygenated blood supply to the lung tissues themselves.

pH Regulation

The ability of the lungs to adjust breathing rates to control $CO_2$ levels and manage blood acidity.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE)

An enzyme produced by the lungs that converts inactive angiotensin I into the hormone angiotensin II.

Rhinoplasty

An elective or reconstructive surgical procedure commonly known as a 'nose job' mentioned in the context of nasal structures.

Phonation

The specific term for sound production, which is a primary function of the larynx.