Respiratory and Circulatory Systems Vocabulary

30 vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms from the lecture on how the respiratory and circulatory systems function and interact.

Respiratory System

Organ system responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide through structures such as the nose, trachea, and lungs.

Circulatory System

Life-support system that transports blood, nutrients, oxygen, and wastes throughout the body; also called the cardiovascular system.

Respiration

The process of breathing and gas exchange that supplies cells with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.

Trachea

Also called the windpipe; the empty tube that carries air from the throat to the bronchi.

Bronchi

Two main branching tubes that connect the trachea to the left and right lungs.

Bronchioles

Hair-like tubes formed by repeated branching of bronchi that lead air to the alveoli.

Alveoli

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

Diaphragm

Dome-shaped muscle that contracts during inhalation and relaxes during exhalation to change chest cavity volume.

Inhalation

The act of breathing in; diaphragm contracts, ribs move up, chest cavity expands, and air flows into the lungs.

Exhalation

The act of breathing out; diaphragm relaxes, ribs move in, chest cavity shrinks, pushing air out of the lungs.

Pulmonary Circulation

Flow of blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart for gas exchange.

Coronary Circulation

Movement of blood through the tissues of the heart itself to supply the cardiac muscle with oxygen.

Systemic Circulation

Flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body (excluding the lungs) and back.

Heart

Hollow muscular organ about the size of a fist with four chambers that pumps blood throughout the body.

Atrium

One of the two upper receiving chambers of the heart; right atrium receives blood from the body, left atrium from the lungs.

Ventricle

One of the two lower pumping chambers of the heart; right ventricle sends blood to lungs, left ventricle to body.

Valve

One-way door in the heart that prevents backward flow of blood between chambers and into major arteries.

Artery

Blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to body tissues (except pulmonary artery).

Vein

Blood vessel that returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart (except pulmonary vein).

Capillary

Smallest blood vessel connecting arteries and veins; primary site of nutrient and gas exchange with tissues.

Oxygen

Gas inhaled into the lungs that cells use to release energy from nutrients.

Carbon Dioxide

Waste gas produced by cells, transported by blood to the lungs, and expelled during exhalation.

Blood

Fluid connective tissue that transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and wastes through the circulatory system.

Heart Rate (Pulse)

Number of heart beats per minute (BPM); slows at rest and increases during exercise.

Cardiovascular System

Another term for the circulatory system, emphasizing the roles of the heart (cardio) and vessels (vascular).

Gas Exchange

Transfer of oxygen into blood and carbon dioxide out of blood occurring mainly in the alveoli and capillaries.

Pharynx

The throat; passageway for air moving from nasal cavity to larynx and for food moving to esophagus.

Larynx

Voice box located between the pharynx and trachea; contains vocal cords.

Cigarette Smoking

Habit that damages nearly every organ; raises heart rate and blood pressure and causes many respiratory and circulatory diseases.

Healthy Lifestyle

Balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate rest, proper hygiene, and avoidance of vices that prevent respiratory and circulatory diseases.