Chapter 23 pt 1— Respiratory System Study Guide

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering anatomy, histology, and physiology of the upper and lower respiratory tracts, alveoli, and lungs from Chapter 23.

Conducting Zone

The division of the respiratory system that moves, warms, cleans, and humidifies air.

Respiratory Zone

The division of the respiratory system that serves as the site of gas exchange.

Terminal Bronchiole

The final structure of the conducting zone.

Respiratory Bronchiole

The first structure of the respiratory zone, lined with simple cuboidal epithelium.

Alveoli

Microscopic air sacs lined with simple squamous epithelium where gas exchange occurs.

Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar Epithelium

The specific tissue type lining most of the upper respiratory tract.

Goblet Cells and Cilia

Specialized respiratory structures that produce mucus and work together to trap and remove dust, dirt, and microbes.

Lysozyme and Antibodies

Defensive chemical substances present in respiratory mucus that help defend against microbes.

Nasal Conchae

Structures in the nasal cavity that create air turbulence to enhance warming, humidifying, and filtering of incoming air.

Choanae

The posterior anatomical openings connecting the nasal cavity to the nasopharynx.

Vibrissae

Nose hairs that trap large foreign particles.

Olfactory Region

The area located at the roof of the nasal cavity dedicated to the sense of smell.

Paranasal Sinuses

Four groups of air-filled cavities (frontal, maxillary, ethmoidal, and sphenoidal) that drain directly into the nasal cavity.

Nasopharynx

The superior region of the pharynx that conducts air only and houses the pharyngeal and tubal tonsils.

Oropharynx

The middle pharyngeal region lined with stratified squamous epithelium that carries both food and air, and contains palatine and lingual tonsils.

Laryngopharynx

The inferior pharyngeal region lined with stratified squamous epithelium that carries both food and air.

Larynx

A cartilaginous structure that keeps the airway open, produces sound, and prevents swallowed food from entering the lower airway.

Epiglottis

An unpaired elastic cartilage flap of the larynx that prevents food from entering the airway during swallowing.

Thyroid Cartilage

An unpaired laryngeal cartilage that forms the laryngeal prominence known as the Adam's apple.

Vocal Folds

True vocal cords that vibrate to produce sound.

Vestibular Folds

False vocal cords that do not participate in sound production.

Rima Glottidis

The open space between the vocal folds.

Glottis

The anatomical unit composed collectively of the vocal folds and the rima glottidis.

Trachealis Muscle

Smooth muscle located on the posterior wall of the trachea that narrows the tracheal lumen during coughing to expel air faster.

Carina

The internal cartilaginous ridge where the trachea bifurcates into the primary bronchi, sensitive to stimulation that triggers coughing.

C-Shaped Cartilage Rings

Hyaline cartilage supports that keep the trachea patent; incomplete posteriorly to accommodate the expansion of the esophagus during swallowing.

Right Main Bronchus

The primary bronchus that is wider, shorter, and straighter than the left, making it the more common site for foreign object aspiration.

Lobar Bronchus

Also called a secondary bronchus; an airway branch that supplies air directly to an individual lung lobe.

Segmental Bronchus

Also called a tertiary bronchus; an airway branch that supplies air directly to a bronchopulmonary segment.

Bronchoconstriction

The narrowing of airway diameter resulting in decreased airflow.

Bronchodilation

The widening of airway diameter resulting in increased airflow.

Alveolar Pores

Small openings situated between adjacent alveoli that permit collateral airflow from one alveolus to another.

Elastic Fibers of Alveoli

Connective tissue fibers that allow the lungs to stretch during inhalation and passively recoil during exhalation.

Alveolar Type I Cells

Squamous epithelial cells forming the extremely thin walls of the alveoli to facilitate rapid gas exchange.

Alveolar Type II Cells

Cuboidal epithelial cells in alveoli that synthesize and secrete pulmonary surfactant.

Pulmonary Surfactant

A slippery fluid secretion that lowers alveolar surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse.

Alveolar Macrophage

Also referred to as a dust cell; a phagocytic cell that clears debris, dust, and bacteria from the alveoli.

Respiratory Membrane

The three-layered diffusion barrier consisting of an alveolar type I cell, a fused basement membrane, and a capillary endothelial wall.

Hilum

The indented region on the mediastinal surface of the lung through which bronchi, pulmonary vessels, nerves, and lymphatics enter and exit.

Root of the Lung

The anatomical bundle formed collectively by the main bronchus, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, nerves, and lymphatic vessels at the hilum.

Lingula

A tongue-shaped projection of the superior lobe of the left lung corresponding functionally to the middle lobe of the right lung.

Bronchopulmonary Segment

A functionally independent, discrete unit of lung tissue supplied by its own segmental (tertiary) bronchus.

Pulmonary Circulation

The vascular pathway that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart via pulmonary arteries to alveolar capillaries for gas exchange and returns oxygenated blood through pulmonary veins to the left atrium.

Bronchial Circulation

The systemic vascular pathway originating from the thoracic aorta that supplies oxygen and nutrients directly to lung tissue.