biomed respiratory system

nose

heats and moistens air

turbinates

three pairs of long thin bones covered with a layer of tissue that can expand. if swollen, can block airflow

cilia

projections in the nasal cavity that beat in a coordinated manner to clear foreign bodies

sinuses

hollow cavities within bone including frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, maxillary

pharynx

passageway for air and food between the nasal cavity, mouth and esophagus also known as throat

epiglottis

flap of cartilage that closes the opening to the larynx when food is swallowed

larynx

a space near the pharynx that aids in voice production; also known as the voice box - the adams apple

trachea

the tube that leads from the larynx to the lungs , also known as the windpipe

lobes

right lung has 3, left has 2

pleura

membrane that lines the surface of the lungs

bronchi

tubes that branch out from the trachea into the right and left lungs

bronchioles

tubes that branch out from the bronchi and travel down to the air sacs in the lungs

alveoli

tiny hollow air sacs clustered like bunches of grapes at the ends of the bronchioles, which exchange gas with surrounding capillaries - smallest blood vessels. gas exchange occurs here

surfactant

mixture of fat and proteins that line the pulmonary system, specifically alveoli

mediastinum

intrapleural space separating the sternum in the front and the vertebral column behind

diaphragm

dome shaped muscle separating thorax from the abdomen that plays major role in breathing. it contracts on inhale, expands on exhale.

external respiration

gas exchange between alveoli and the external environment, or breathing

internal respiration

the gas exchange between the blood and the tissues throughout the body

medulla oblongata

senses levels of oxygen and CO2 to level basic rhythm of breathingph

phrenic nerve

sends impulses to stimulate the diaphragm

apnea

without breathd

dyspnea

difficulty breathing

eupnea

normal breathing

hyperpnea

excessive breathing

orthopnea

difficulty breathing when lying down

tachypnea

fast breathing

hyperventilation

sudden change to quicken breathing

asthma

a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus. causes bronchodilation, airway inflammation, and mucous impaction.

treatment includes bronchodilator, steroids, anti inflammatory, antihistamines

bronchodilator

helps open airways of the lungs to make breathing easier

steroids

stimulates hormone effects, often to reduce inflammation or for tissue growth and repair

anti inflammatory

prevents or counteracts swelling in joints and tissues

antihistamines

reduces or blocks histamine release

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder)

lung diseases that block airflow and make breathing difficult. risk factor is smoking, asthma, over 40. medicatins are bronchodilator and steroids

pneumothorax

air leaks into the space between lung and chest wall ; a collapsed lung. treatment is needle/tube used to remove excess air

hemothorax

blood collects in the pleural space. without treatment, blood can continue to accumulate and collapse the lung.

thoracentesis

draining of pleural fluid through a needle or catheter

thoracostomy

drainage of pleural fluid through a chest tube

tension pneumothorax

when mediastinal structures in thoracic cavity shift. treatment is immediate needle decompression