The Respiratory System

These flashcards cover important vocabulary related to the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, aiming to aid in understanding and memorizing key concepts.

Alveoli

Microscopic air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Bronchi

Large air passages that branch from the trachea into the lungs.

Cilia

Hair-like structures that help move mucus out of the respiratory tract.

Conducting portion

Part of the respiratory system that includes structures from the nasal cavity to the major bronchi, serving only for airflow.

Diaphragm

The primary muscle involved in breathing, which contracts to enlarge the thoracic cavity.

Hemoglobin

Protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Mucociliary escalator

Mechanism for debris removal in the respiratory tract involving mucus and cilia.

Pleura

Serous membranes that cover the lungs and line the thoracic cavity.

Respiratory portion

Part of the respiratory system involved in gas exchange, including the smallest bronchioles and alveoli.

Trachea

The windpipe; a rigid tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi.

Vital capacity

The maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation.

Hypoxia

A deficiency of oxygen in tissues.

Hypercapnia

Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Anemia

A condition resulting from the inability of blood to carry adequate oxygen.

Chronic bronchitis

Long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, leading to cough and mucus production.

Emphysema

A lung condition characterized by the destruction of alveolar walls, reducing the surface area for gas exchange.

Asthma

A condition involving chronic inflammation of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing.

Cystic fibrosis

A genetic disorder that leads to the production of thick, sticky mucus; impairs lung function.

Intrathoracic pressure

Pressure within the thoracic cavity that changes during breathing.

Alveolar ventilation rate

Amount of air reaching the alveoli per minute.

Pulmonary fibrosis

Lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred.

Oxygen-hemoglobin saturation curve

Graph showing the relationship between oxygen concentration and hemoglobin saturation.

Bohr effect

Influence of pH on hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen.

Tidal volume

Amount of air inhaled or exhaled in one cycle of quiet breathing.

Intrapulmonary pressure

The pressure within the alveoli of the lungs.

Pulmonary circulation

The circulation of blood between the heart and lungs.

Bronchoconstriction

Narrowing of the air passages due to smooth muscle contraction.

Bronchodilation

Widening of the air passages due to smooth muscle relaxation.

Partial pressure

Pressure exerted by a single gas in a mixture of gases.

Respiratory rate

Number of breaths taken per minute.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Condition arising from CO binding to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport.

Ventilation-perfusion coupling

Matching of air flow to blood flow in the lungs.

Surfactant

Substance produced in the lungs that reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse.

Respiratory membrane

The barrier through which gas diffusion occurs between the alveoli and blood.

Pulmonary lobule

The functional unit of the lung, consisting of alveoli supplied by a terminal bronchiole.

Accessory respiratory muscles

Muscles used to assist with breathing when needed.

Apnea

Temporary cessation of breathing.

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

An abnormal pattern of breathing with periods of hyperventilation and apnea.

Saturation

The proportion of heme groups in hemoglobin that are bound with oxygen.

Expiration

The process of exhaling air from the lungs.

Inspiration

The process of inhaling air into the lungs.

Nebulization

The process of converting liquid medication into a mist for inhalation.

Pneumothorax

Presence of air in the pleural cavity causing lung collapse.

Airway resistance

Resistance to airflow in the respiratory tract.

Carbon dioxide transport

The methods by which CO2 is carried in the blood.

Conducting zone

The part of the respiratory system that transports air to the sites of gas exchange.

Cough reflex

Involuntary response to an irritant in the respiratory tract that involves expelling air.

Valsalva maneuver

Action of attempting to exhale with the nostrils and mouth closed, which increases pressure in the thorax.

Larynx

The voice box; involved in breathing, producing sound, and protecting the trachea.

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Tissue lining part of the respiratory tract, characterized by cells of varying height.

Intrapleural Pressure

The pressure within the pleural cavity.

Intrapulmonary Pressure

The pressure within the alveoli of the lungs.

Atmospheric Pressure

The pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere.

Atelectasis

Collapse of part or all of a lung, leading to reduced gas exchange.

Eupnea

Normal, unlabored breathing.

Apnea

Temporary cessation of breathing.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

Hyperpnea

Increased depth and rate of breathing.

Hyperventilation

Rapid or excessive breathing that decreases carbon dioxide levels.

Boyle's Law

The principle stating that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume at constant temperature.

Henry's Law

The law that states the amount of gas that can be dissolved in a liquid is proportional to the partial pressure of that gas.

Acidosis

A condition characterized by an increase in acidity in the blood and other body fluids.

Alkalosis

A condition characterized by a decrease in acidity (increase in alkalinity) in the blood and other body fluids.

Hypocapnia

Decreased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Hypercapnia

Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Hypoxia

A deficiency of oxygen in tissues.

Histotoxic Hypoxia

Hypoxia caused by the inability of cells to use oxygen despite normal delivery.

Anemic Hypoxia

Hypoxia caused by insufficient hemoglobin to carry oxygen.

Ischemic Hypoxia

Hypoxia due to insufficient blood flow to the tissues.

Hypoxemic Hypoxia

Hypoxia caused by low oxygen levels in the blood.

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin due to insufficient oxygen.

Chronic Bronchitis

Long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, leading to cough and mucus production.

Cor Pulmonale

Right heart failure due to pulmonary hypertension.

Emphysema

A lung condition characterized by the destruction of alveolar walls, reducing the surface area for gas exchange.

Asthma

A condition involving inflammation of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing. Often caused by allergies.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A type of lung cancer that arises from squamous cells in the respiratory epithelium.

Adenocarcinoma

A type of lung cancer that originates in glandular tissues.

Small Cell Carcinoma

A fast-growing type of lung cancer that develops from neuroendocrine cells.

Vital Capacity

The maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation.

Inspiratory Capacity

The maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal expiration.

Functional Residual Capacity

The volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal expiration.

Total Lung Capacity

The total volume of air the lungs can hold.

Tidal Volume

Amount of air inhaled or exhaled in one cycle of quiet breathing.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

The additional air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation.

Expiratory Reserve Volume

The additional air that can be exhaled after a normal exhalation.

Residual Volume

The volume of air remaining in the lungs after a forced expiration.

Ventral Respiratory Group

A cluster of neurons in the medulla that regulates quiet breathing.

Dorsal Respiratory Group

A cluster of neurons in the medulla that assists in regulating the rate and depth or breathing.

Pons Respiratory Center

Brain structures that help regulate the depth and rate of breathing.