Chapter 1: Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System — Vocabulary Flashcards

25 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on the respiratory system.

Upper airway

Nose, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx; conducts air, humidifies/warms or cools inspired air, prevents foreign materials entering the tracheobronchial tree, and aids speech and smell.

Nose

Filters, humidifies, and conditions inspired air; important for the sense of smell.

Nasopharynx

Upper part of the pharynx behind the nasal cavity; part of the airway pathway.

Oropharynx

Middle part of the pharynx behind the oral cavity; passage for air and food.

Laryngopharynx

Lower part of the pharynx; passage for air and food; leads to the larynx and esophagus.

Larynx

Voice box; routes air to the trachea, protects lower airways during swallowing, and enables speech sounds.

Tracheobronchial tree

Series of airways from the trachea to the bronchioles; includes cartilaginous and noncartilaginous portions that conduct air and serve gas-exchange regions.

Cartilaginous airways

Trachea, main-stem bronchi, lobar and segmental bronchi; provide structural support and conduct air.

Noncartilaginous airways

Bronchioles and terminal bronchioles; conduct air and also serve as sites of gas exchange.

Primary lobule

Functional gas-exchange unit of the lung; includes alveolar epithelium, pores of Kohn, alveolar macrophages, and interstitium; also called terminal respiratory unit.

Pores of Kohn

Small openings between adjacent alveoli that allow collateral ventilation.

Alveolar epithelium

Epithelial layer lining the alveoli, part of the gas-exchange barrier.

Interstitium

Connective tissue around alveoli and capillaries that supports the gas-exchange units.

Pulmonary vascular system

Arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins that transport blood for gas exchange.

Lymphatic system

Lymphatic vessels in bronchial airways and pulmonary vasculature involved in drainage and immunity.

Autonomic nervous system

Regulates involuntary lung functions via sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Bronchial smooth muscle

Responds to autonomic input: sympathetic causes relaxation; parasympathetic causes constriction.

Bronchial glands

Gland secretions in the airways; sympathetic decreases secretions, parasympathetic increases secretions.

Mediastinum

Central thoracic compartment containing the heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus.

Pleural membranes

Visceral pleura covering the lungs and parietal pleura lining the chest wall; together form the pleural cavity with lubrication.

Diaphragm

Primary muscle of inspiration; dome-shaped muscle that contracts to expand the thoracic cavity.

External intercostal muscles

Muscles between ribs that elevate the rib cage to aid inspiration.

Scalenus muscles

Accessory inspiratory muscles that elevate the first and second ribs.

Sternocleidomastoid muscles

Accessory inspiratory muscles that elevate the sternum to increase thoracic volume.

Pectoralis major muscles

Accessory inspiratory muscles that help expand the upper chest during heavy breathing.