2g - Human Gas Exchange

Alveoli

肺泡 (fèipào) Tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide leaves it.

Bronchi (singular: Bronchus)

支气管 (zhīqìguǎn) The two main tubes branching from the trachea, leading air into each lung.

Bronchioles

细支气管 (xì zhīqìguǎn) Smaller airways in the lungs that branch off from the bronchi and lead to the alveoli.

Bronchitis

支气管炎 (zhīqìguǎn yán) Inflammation and swelling of the lining of the bronchial tubes, often causing coughing and mucus.

Carbon monoxide

一氧化碳 (yīyǎnghuàtàn) A toxic, colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete burning; binds strongly to haemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport.

Carboxyhaemoglobin

碳氧血红蛋白 (tànyǎng xuèhóngdànbái) Compound formed when carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin, preventing oxygen from binding.

Carcinogens

致癌物 (zhì'áiwù) Substances that can cause cancer.

Cartilage

软骨 (ruǎngǔ) Strong, flexible connective tissue that supports structures like the trachea and bronchi, keeping them open.

Cilia

纤毛 (xiānmáo) Tiny hair-like structures on cells lining the airways that sweep mucus (with trapped particles) upwards, away from the lungs.

Diaphragm

膈肌 (géjī) / 横膈膜 (hénggémó) A large, dome-shaped muscle at the base of the chest cavity (thorax) that contracts and flattens to help with inhalation.

Emphysema

肺气肿 (fèiqìzhǒng) A lung disease where alveoli are damaged and lose their elasticity, making breathing difficult; often caused by smoking.

Exhalation

呼气 (hūqì) The process of breathing air out of the lungs, usually by relaxation of diaphragm and intercostal muscles, decreasing chest volume and increasing pressure.

Gaseous Exchange

气体交换 (肺部) (qìtǐ jiāohuàn (fèibù)) The diffusion of oxygen from alveoli into blood, and carbon dioxide from blood into alveoli, across the thin walls of alveoli and capillaries.

Haemoglobin

血红蛋白 (xuèhóngdànbái) The iron-containing protein in red blood cells that binds to and transports oxygen around the body.

Inhalation

吸气 (xīqì) The process of breathing air into the lungs, by contraction of diaphragm and intercostal muscles, increasing chest volume and decreasing pressure.

Intercostal muscles

肋间肌 (lèijiānjī) Muscles located between the ribs that contract and relax to move the rib cage up/out during inhalation and down/in during forced exhalation.

Mucus

黏液 (niányè) Sticky liquid secreted by cells lining the airways; traps dust, pathogens, and other particles.

Nicotine

尼古丁 (nígǔdīng) An addictive stimulant drug found in tobacco smoke.

Pleural cavity

胸膜腔 (xiōngmóqiāng) The potential space between the two pleural membranes surrounding the lungs.

Pleural fluid

胸膜液 (xiōngmóyè) A thin layer of lubricating fluid within the pleural cavity, allowing the lungs to move smoothly during breathing.

Pleural membranes

胸膜 (xiōngmó) Two thin membranes that surround each lung; one lines the chest wall (parietal pleura) and the other covers the lung surface (visceral pleura).

Respiration

呼吸作用 (hūxī zuòyòng) The process by which cells break down simple food molecules (like glucose) to release energy they contain. (Note: This refers to cellular respiration)

Tar

焦油 (jiāoyóu) A sticky, brown substance in tobacco smoke containing carcinogens; damages cilia and airways, contributing to lung diseases.

Thorax

胸腔 (xiōngqiāng) / 胸廓 (xiōngkuò) The chest area of the body, enclosed by the rib cage and containing the lungs and heart.

Trachea

气管 (qìguǎn) The windpipe; a tube that connects the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi, allowing air to pass to the lungs. Supported by C-shaped rings of cartilage.

Tumour

肿瘤 (zhǒngliú) An abnormal mass of tissue formed when cells grow and divide more than they should or do not die when they should.

Ventilation

通气 (tōngqì) / 换气 (huànqì) The mechanical process of moving air into (inhalation) and out of (exhalation) the lungs.